The Ships that STOPPED a CITY: How QE2 & QM2’s Royal Rendezvous brought Sydney to a Standstill!
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- What if I told you that in 2007 two Transatlantic Ocean Liners brought the City of Sydney to a standstill? This is the remarkable true story of the day Cunard broke Sydney and stopped Australia, thanks to the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth 2 and their Royal Rendezvous.
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Chapters:
00:00 What if I told you?
00:25 Cunard in Sydney during World War II
01:32 The 2007 World Cruise
02:10 Queen Mary 2 maiden Sydney Arrival
03:40 QE2 Arrives
04:16 The City of Sydney grinds to a halt
05:05 Chaos in the City
07:02 The Big One is Gone but the Pretty One remains!
07:28 Reflections of the Royal Rendezvous
Image Support:
Henderson & Cremer Collection
David Jones
Cunard Line
Libby Moffet
Julian Rosenberg
Australian Government: CC.0 - tinyurl.com/queensinaus
Rachelle Cross
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Tags:
#Cunard #CunardLine #QM2 #QueenMary2 #QE2 #QueenElizabeth2 #CrusieNews #Cruising #CunardShip #4queens #Cun4rd #3queens #queenanne #queenvictoria #CunardNews #RoyalRendezvous #MaritimeHistory
Were you there? What are your best memories of this remarkable day?
🙋♂️
Yes, we were there
I was born a year late although I first heard about it when I was 6. Sounds like fun!
Yes, I was there with my kids. It was an awesome day!
not even concieved yet, born in 2009, I now live in perth. and I'm first hearing about this on febuary 7th
I was in San Francisco when the QM2 made her maiden visit. I thought my husband and I would be the only people interested in seeing her sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. How wrong we were! Thousands of people were standing on the cliffs around the city and hundreds of small boats greeted her. These Cunard Queens have a mystique and a grip on people's imaginations.
Haha! I brought my Dad up there from the South Bay/Peninsula. It was an impromptu trip; I just said "Let's drive up there and look at the QM2." No way. The Embarcadero was jammed packed. No way could we just park and walk around. Barely caught a peek of her while driving slowly past, but could tell she was magnificent; absolutely huge. By then it was dark. So - you weren't the only one!
Back in the late 1970’s the US Navy did a similar thing, two of the giant aircraft carriers passed under the Golden Gate Bridge one inbound, one outbound. Yes it was staged but the timing was based on the tides. Those giants required a low tide to get under the bridge. I am told that drivers stopped their cars and ran to the sides of the bridge. Cheers
My wife and I sailed in on the QE2 that day and, indeed, the harbor was packed with all sorts of crafts - including a naked water-skier who accompanied the QE2 into the harbor! In addition to gridlock, there were individuals who were “trapped” inside the Botanical Gardens when the gates were locked! Finally, as I recall, it was just around the time of Sydney’s “Gay Pride Week” and the next morning the Sydney Morning Herald had a proud headline: Two Queens Visit Sydney!
Yep, I was there, Pride was 2 weeks later. I flew there from London especially.😃
@@rde4017 I regret not taking a photo of the SMH headline!
Yes. My friends and I escaped just before they locked those gates, People in wheel chairs trying to exit....Not a good sight.
It was a spectacular event ! We were at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for QM2s arrival and later onboard the Sydney 2000 - a large sightseeing vessel - up on her top deck and watched QE2 come up the harbour and have the exact same photos ! What a moment ! QE2 holds fabulous memories both from sailing onboard her and seeing her in magic rendezvous. First was with QM2 in New York in April 2004, then Sydney 2007, Sydney 2008 and finally New York in October 2008 with QM2 leaving New York for her final transatlantic.
I was on one of the boats that escorted both of them in. QE2 coming in was thrillingly exciting, she was going slow but the boats were at full tilt keeping up, and there were so many of them, it was terrific!
QE2 - built on the Clyde with Scottish Pride! ❤
Chris, so pleased you featured this. On arrival QM2 was welcomed by Morris Iemma, Premier of NSW and in the evening a special dinner in the restaurant overlooking the stern which the Governor of NSW and the Deputy PM and significant people in travel, radio and TV were represented. We all watched the sailing of QE2 and fireworks from the after deck then returned to have dessert. A lot of logistics involved in making this call especially the movement of international passengers from the Garden Is RAN base. I had sent the Deputy Captain Trevor Lane ahead of the ship from Auckland to be on the dock on arrival to get the ships critical positioning exactly right. A most memorable day. The welcome we got, well before dawn the lights of small craft out to greet us filled the harbour entrance. All day a procession of boats came by the police boats keeping them a secure distance off and moving along. Commodore Bernie Warner took over from Sydney for the rest of the world voyage from Sydney to England via Sue’s. Christopher Rynd.
I first sailed on QM2 in 2006 to Boston, Bar Harbor, and Halifax, you have thought people were coming out to see a spaceship! Massive crowds - an energy you can’t even describe
I was there to watch the maiden arrival of QE2 when sailed into Sydney on February 24th, 1978 & that too was a truly memorable day as the world’s largest & most famous ocean liner (as she was back then!) sailed into Sydney Harbour for the very first time! It too, was an unforgettable experience as the whole city also went into gridlock as everyone wanted to see her. In command that day was (the late) Captain Robert Arnott from Newcastle.
I was also there on this historic day in 2007 when the two Queens met & it was indeed an experience that you’ll never forget, especially when they blasted their sirens! The roar from the crowd at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, where I was standing, was deafening!
My late grandfather was a famed ‘Rat of Tobruk’ & he sailed out of Sydney on board the original Queen Elizabeth on April 9th, 1941, bound for Palestine to engage in war service for his country!
I’ve been an ocean liner fanatic since I was a kid, especially for the ships of the Cunard Line. Great video! Thanks. ⚓️🛳️👍😁
My wife and I are from NZ and were in Sydney that weekend working. We were staying in Darling Harbour walked around to the Opera House and bought the last two tickets on a coffee cruise. We’re Kiwis and had lived in Sydney in the mid 80,s love the City and best Harbour in the world, it was fantastic watching these gorgeous ships pass each other. Great video 🙏
Back in the '60s we were a group of Boy Scouts that went over to Europe. In Scotland, we got a chance to see the QE2 being built. The shipyards President was a past Boy Scout so he let us in to see the ship being built. That's always been a special honor.
I sailed into Sydney that day on board QM2 that day during her Maiden World Cruise. What an event! I have pictures from the event. Great memories! I have my picture that was taken on the stern with the bridge in the background. Total gridlock that day in Sydney
@Chris Frame I just watched this video and asked my dad if he remembered this, and he said that He, my mum, and I were there when the QE2 arrived. Unfortunately, I was only 18 months old at the time, so I don't remember it. My Dad said that we were at Mrs Macquaries Chair. He also said that Sydney harbour was like it was new years eve, he also said that it was like early evening when the QE2 arrived.
So, yeah, thanks for making this video!
I have sailed on the QM2 and did the Southampton to New York passage.. I was 11.. I loved it I knew all the facts on the QM2 the captain was amazed with how much I knew about the ship.
QE2 has become not only my favorite Cunarder but my favorite ship of all time.
We were on QM2 - arriving in Sydney - amazing scene
I was there on one of the little ships that escorted both Queens into Sydney. We went on holiday from London especially to see it. We were staying in Potts Point, and yes the traffic was carnage. That was one of the greatest days of my life and one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. It was a beautiful summers day and everyone in the city took the afternoon off work like it was a bank holiday. The skipper's wife on the boat said it was just like new year but without the alcohol! There was a great joke going around Sydney for a couple of days afterwards; everyone knew it was going to happen, it was going to be the biggest thing to hit Sydney ever, two big old Queens were going to have a party, and everyone saw it coming apart from the city elders! 😆
I remembered this event well,like it was yesterday,thanks Chris.
QE2 and QM2 visits to LA also attracted quite a few spectators. The same can’t be said for the newest Cunarders.
I live in Sydney and I remember it well. There was a real buzz in the areas around the harbour.
I have sailed on the QE2, the QM2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. I have always noticed how these ships garner attention when in ports, more so than other lines.
What a great event that will never be repeated! Two great ships, glad QE2 is preserved as a hotel.
Hi Chris. Thanks for the interesting article and video. I was there on the day, battling the crowds. Hard to believe that QM2 is now 20 years old. She certainly was an impressive sight on the day, and from the city she seemed a massive ship, far bigger than anything I'd seen before. I'd visited the veteran Queen Mary in Long Beach a couple of times in the past. I'd seen the QE2 also in the UK on a couple of occasions, both just by chance. The first was in 1969 when she was brand new, about to depart on her first cruise prior to taking up her trans Atlantic duties. I'd just arrived there on the venerable Queen Frederica from Sydney after a six week voyage via Panama, a group of us were exploring the docks there prior to sunrise, there was no-one about and I'm sure we could almost have snuck on board. The second occasion was much more recently, I happened to be driving across the Forth road bridge and glimpsed to the right and saw her down on the firth, so diverted off the motorway and down into North Queensferry, walked under the mighty Railway Bridge and got a marvellous view of her at anchor. Looking forward to a Pacific Cruise on the Majestic Princess next month, she's only a few thousand grt less than the QM2, which is in turn over twice the tonnage of the QE2. Yes I did get home that evening, to a mate's place in Mosman. The ferry was packed and left many commuters behind, when we got across to the north shore, the roads were packed out and the buses couldn't run, so had to walk up the hill.
We were at both Royal Rendevous. For the second one, with Queen Victoria, we were on a charter boat on the harbour. Both were wonderful experiences
Looks like an amazing event - ahh when ships were ships!!
Was There for this day as well as the QV/QE2 visit the following year, Both times I loved the Salute to each other with their horns, Still have a portion of video from the crossover in the middle of the harbour for the QV/QE2 visit, but lost the video of the QM2/QE2 in a house fire, but still have all the images from those days
I remember it well, we had a work function at Circular Quay 5pm and the traffic was so bad everyone was late… but it was amazing to see both ships.
We really enjoy your channel. We saw the QM2 from 6000 ft up sailing out of NYC last summer off the coast of Long Island. I think it was the first time for me seeing the queen with my own eyes. I even got a few pictures. My Grandfather sailed on the Queen Mary to England during WW2. We have fond memories visiting her in California when I was growing up. Thank you for this very cool look back in History. We love Aviation too.
Thanks for the Great video! My Uncle used to travel from New York on original the QM and QE. It was the late 1950’s and I was around 5 years old. They would have a Bon Voyage party on board before departing. Great memories of the Cunard Ocean Liners. I hope to travel on the QM2 soon.
I have happy memories of watching. the event from my hotel room whilst watching the TV coverage!
Thank you for this. What remarkable photos of the two Cunard Liners!!
It would have been amazing to have been on one of those liners. Something you'd never forget.
I was in Sydney in February 2008 for the meeting up of the QE2 and the Queen Victoria. A similar event that captivated the city, big headlines for a few days!!
Dear Chris: You need to do a "search and replace" edit in your subtitles to change "fairies" to "ferries."
It was my day off work & and I took a walk with my father around Mrs Maquaries Chair that day to see QM2.
Ironically, it was one of the last things I did with my father, as he unexpectedly passed a month later.
We were so excited to see the QM2 and having the rendezvous was the icing on the cake. Very special indeed.
I was on board the USS Kidd DDG-993 and passed starboard of QE2. Beautiful vessel.
Wow! Great video. I had never heard of the QE2 & the Queen Mary 2 being together in Sydney Harbour. Fascinating! Much thanks from British Columbia, Canada.
Truly was a magnificent sight in 2007, but can't find my photos of that, but seem to recall being on the north side near the bridge at one stage. I also was there for the 2008 final visit of QE2.when I managed to be on board a regular ferry service that was held out of Circular Quay as QE2 departed past us and got some magnificent photos of her with the Opera House in the background. Interesting that the normal rules that give right of way to the Harbour Ferries weren't enforced. There is just something magical about the Cunard Queens.
A day I’ll never forget
What an occasion for sure. I did get enjoy a QM2 & QE2 rendezvous in NYC back in the day!
I remember that day. I was the only one driving away from the harbour, and thank god i was. The traffic going eastwards was a kilometres long carpark.
It was a shame i missed the girls, but id had a thesis to complete.
Did you say you sailed in on one of the ships and you were on the Bridge? Were you working for the line back in the day? I very much enjoyed your video. Thank you.
I saw both ships in Norway in June 2007. The Liz was berthed at Bergen and the Mary at Flam 🛳🛳🇬🇧🇬🇧
I was at Mrs Macquaries Chair when they crossed. Wonderful experience. I was late home that day, LOL. Wow, 2007.
Woww, that looked so cool! I'd wish I've been there
Thank you for sharing these two great oceanliners.😊😊 Now, for this year 2024 Queen Anne wiil have her new day coming soon.😊😊
Also remembered is the 3 Queens sailing into the River Mersey for the 175th anniversary of Cunard in 2015. That was a spectacular event when the 3 Queens turned on anchor as the tide turned. There are CZcams videos about it too. Cheers DougT
My wife and I saw the QE2 last week in Sydney, impressive and majestic ship.
The QM2, launched in 2004, & the QE2, premiering in the late 1960s, are great time capsules of their 2 eras. The QE2 is shorter than the QM2 with its cruise-liner-type cabins & balconies, & was built when ocean liners, due to jet travel, seemed to be kaput. Yet the QM2 popped up almost 3 decades later & has interiors that are more fancy than the 1960's-era ship is. The QE2 is now a stationary structure in Dubai, while the QM2, upon its retirement, will probably be more appealing as a floating hotel & meeting site. I can see it eventually permanently moored in Sydney, NYC, Hong Kong (which saw the QE of the late 1930s go up in flames) or somewhere in the south of France or Spain.
There's no better of an honour for such beautiful ships than what they received that day.
I have the photographic history books of both QE2 and QM2. They’re great reads with lots of pictures.
A lot of people will complain about gridlock but those become iconic memory moments
This would have been amazing to see… I live in Oregon, I don’t think either have ever been here, at least that I remember. I would definitely go see one though if one ever made it this far.
I did see the World Ship, I think that’s what it’s called in Astoria Oregon once years ago. It was announced on the local news that it was coming and we made the 3 hour drive over to see it.
I just looked up ships that come to Oregon and I guess the Queen comes here, or at least it’s listed under ships and cruise lines that come to Oregon.
More boats on the Harbour each year for the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The opening of the Opera House, and the RAAF display in the '80's also saw boats than are shown in your video.
Interesting, Sydney had lots of boats on the harbour prior to 2007. Great to know 👍
Had two wonderful trips on the QE2. To my mind the last of the great liners.
An unforgettable moment.
I seen QE2 in Portsmouth UK a few times. Was such an amazing ship
Lt, Cook in the Endeavor in1770 cruised through the Heads, a gap in the steep coast of Sydney. Once in a 1,000 meters he saw the Harbour open out before him. He is reported to have said it was a magnificent thing. It was a safe harbour, with many deep rocky moorings to tie up to. He said it was the best harbour in the world.
I was there . Just 2 Cruise Ships QM parked near the Naval base & from memory QE2 at Circular Quay . Sydney is a tourist city , no big deal. I only saw it catching the ferry to Manly .
I was one of those idiots that went to see the ships. I was working in Sydney and at lunch time me and a couple of workmates decided to go see the ships. We tried to get a taxi but the taxi driver told us it was gridlock around the area and we would be better off walking. So we walked to Misses Macquaries chair to see it. It is like the time I thought I was the biggest idiot in New South Wales when I went to Newcastle to see the wreck of the Pasha Bulker. When I got to Newcastle I found NSW is a very stupid state, there were so many people going to see thevwreck that they had ice cream trucks at the beach.
You saw something special!
Ice cream trucks at the beach sounds like a good idea. ;-)
The ice cream trucks had plenty of customers with people coming up to see the shipwreck
I remember this well as I worked for the main Sydney newspaper (SMH).
Thanks
Thank you very much for your support 🙏
I was there!
I didn't know they retired the Queen Elizibeth? Why did they retire a magnificent state of the art ship??
Thats why cruises now often must arrive in early morning and depart late at night when ferries are not operating.
QE2 is a LEGEND. . . . .
❤️❤️❤️
This guy sure loves the word "remarkable"
If you’d been there you’d understand why ☺️
I recall seeing _Queen Elizabeth 2_ up close at Circular Quay when I lived in Sydney back in 2000. I worked in a store on Pitt Street and remember _QE2_ passengers coming in to shop.
As an aside, why do you, an Australian, use the American term, "world war two", instead of the Commonwealth-wide (and one would say proper) term, "second world war"?
In fact, they were mostly ignored by Sydney
Source - I live there
i remember
tbh that traffic jam is worth it if this big of a historical event happens. 100%
The day after I turned 11
No way
I would have loved to see more images of the ship's rendezvous and lesser talk.
They should've never retired the QE2. She's better off staying with the Cunard Line instead of being in Dubai.
?….??what? The qe 2was in dubai
Prolix
dd
QE 2 Arrived 24 hours later check it out don't tell lies
QE2 arrived the afternoon of QM2’s arrival 20/02/07.
@@ChrisFrameOfficial I was there when she came in I was in Woolloomooloo opposite garden island when she came past she left Auckland 24 hrs after the queen. The ships horn nearly deafen me
Well, I appreciate the cunard has a very, very long history and oceanliners, I would never find myself on a Cunard cruise. Way too outdated and too restrictive with clothing and their itineraries are very limited port time.
“Broke” is just the stupidist use of a word
Sadly Cunard is rubbish. Never again. Aussie Bob
@@Tolpuddle581 Cunard is over hyped. I prefer most other cruise lines. Found it a bit stuffy, boring & ordinary.
On the last cruise I did on Cunard ther was a lot of Eastern European crew. Most of them were just plain rude & lazy.
@@Tolpuddle581 I know what I experienced
@@Tolpuddle581 are you working for Cunard?
Bad service. Tired ship. Not much to do
I was there in Mrs MacquariesChair, incredible afternoon, I miss those days that ''stopped' Sydney