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[John Feltham]

Firework farewell for QE2: Historic ship sails away from UK for final  
time... after running aground on sandbank
By REBECCA ENGLISH
Last updated at 9:15 AM on 12th November 2008


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Spectacular fireworks turned the night sky pink and orange as the QE2  
took a final bow at her home port.

The bonfire-night style celebration was the climax to a day of  
ceremony in Southampton where thousands turned out to say farewell -  
but earlier this grand old lady of the seas was doing anything but  
cruising quietly into retirement when she ran aground on a sandbank.

The iconic ship ran into the problem less than an hour before she was  
due to arrive at the port to begin her final voyage and had to be  
pulled in by five tugs.

Enlarge
Farewell: The Queen Elizabeth 2 departs Southampton for the final time  
watched by thousands of spectators


Fiery display: A stunning firework show made sure the QE2 had a  
spectacular goodbye

No one was injured and just half an hour later, with the help of the  
rising tide, she was able to continue her journey.

The mishap delayed celebrations for just over an hour as divers were  
called in to check the 963ft-long vessel when she docked.

Named after the Queen Mother (the 2 simply means she is the second  
Elizabeth in the fleet), the ship has transported luminaries including  
The Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor and astronaut Buzz Aldrin since she was  
launched at Clydebank, near Glasgow, in 1967.


The QE2, still surrounded by tugs, finally arrives at Southampton  
after running aground in the Solent

But after sailing more than five million nautical miles and completing  
25 world cruises, she is being retired by her owners, Cunard, and  
turned into a floating hotel in Dubai.

Her library, the largest still afloat, and grand ballroom have been  
transcended by new liners which boast everything from skating rinks to  
rock-climbing walls.

Enlarge
Tugboats work to free the QE2 after she ran aground at the Brambles  
sandbank off Calshot on the Solent

When the 70,000-ton liner beached at 5.30am today, she had a full  
complement of 2,700 passengers and crew who had just enjoyed a 12- 
night Mediterranean cruise.

It is thought force seven winds may have contributed to her grounding.  
But many on board joked that it was her reluctance to go without a  
fight.


The cruise liner arrives safely in Southampton following her scrape

Kenneth Williams, 79, and his wife Geraldine, 81, of Brockham, Surrey,  
were having breakfast when they felt a violent shudder.

Mrs William said: 'It must be symbolic, it doesn't want to go. It's a  
lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going.'


Passengers look down from the deck. Many said the accident was a sign  
that the ship ought not to be leaving British hands

The drama set the docking back by more than an hour and when it  
finally took place two divers were sent down to check for damage to  
the hull.

After being given the all-clear, the QE2's final hours in British  
waters were marked by a Remembrance Day ceremony.


Fireworks light up the sky as the QEII leaves Southampton for Dubai

Enlarge
The liner takes a final bow as the fireworks explode in the sky

The Duke of Edinburgh joined well-wishers who watched in silence as a  
Tiger Moth flew over the ship at 11am showering it with a million  
poppies.

Following a two-minute silence, Prince Philip went on board for a tour  
of the bridge and engine room.


Enlarge
The Duke of Edinburgh reacts to a blast from the ship's fog horn as he  
leaves after a visit to the QE2 in Southampton docks

The QE2 - sold to the Dubai World company for around £50million in a  
deal struck last year - will reach Dubai on November 26 and will  
undergo extensive refurbishment before taking up a permanent docking  
on a specially-constructed berth on the Palm Jumeirah, the world's  
largest artificial island.

The new-look vessel will have a heritage museum displaying artefacts  
from the ship and from maritime history


ooroo

If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door.

Anon.



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