#cunard 175

[chrisframeofficial]

This month, Cunard Line celebrated its 175th anniversary. This also marked the 175th anniversary of regularly scheduled transatlantic voyages by steam ship. When RMS Britannia set sail on 4 July 1840, she established the first such regular voyages across the Atlantic. 

Ocean Liners changed the world - ABC Conversations Interview:  When Samuel Cunard started this first regularly scheduled ocean liner voyage, they changed the world. It changed the way we travel, as for the first time there was reliable, regularly scheduled and safe travel by steam ship. I was very fortunate recently to have been on the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC)'s national show "Conversations" which allowed for an in depth look at these great liners and the impact they made. You can listen to this here: http://ab.co/1O7DH2D  - please also visit the Facebook page to see some images of these great ships: http://on.fb.me/1NtUPzY 

Retracing History: On 4 July, QM2 departed Liverpool bound for Halifax and Boston - recreating the first voyage aboard Britannia. She departed 175 years to the day of Britannia's first voyage. Radio New Zealand covered this historic recreation: http://bit.ly/1M6VdFw 

Lusitania Remembered:2015 also marked the 100th anniversary of the loss of Lusitania. One of the largest and fastest liners in the world, she was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Ireland during World War I. Cunard paid tribute to Lusitania with a special voyage aboard Queen Victoria. More details of this voyage are here: http://bit.ly/1K8Ytki 

I hope you have all enjoyed the celebrations for Cunard's 175th anniversary and enjoy the links above.

Best wishes, 

Chris.

[europeanexplorer-blog]

Projections on the Three Graces, including the Royal Liver Building and Cunard building, to commemorate 175 years of Cunard. Cunard was founded in 1840, when Sir Samuel Cunard’s mail steamship RMS Britannia began its transatlantic service to Halifax and Boston from Liverpool. To celebrate 175 years, RMS Queen Mary 2, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Victoria sailed together along the River Mersey over the Bank Holiday weekend, with other events being held to celebrate.

[europeanexplorer-blog]

From 24th - 26th May 2015, Cunards three biggest cruise ships sailed across the River Mersey in celebration of 175 years since Cunard's first ever cruise liner sailed from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston. Huge crowds gathered to watch the ships arrive, berth and even perform a special 'river dance'.

RMS Queen Mary 2, the largest of the three, was the first to enter Liverpool on the 24th. Hundreds gathered in wind and rain to wave the passengers as it berthed. She travelled to Brazil Buoy the next day to welcome her sister ships, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Victoria, before they sailed down the Mersey towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, turning to sail back to the cruise liner terminal.

An estimated 1.3 million watched from both sides of the river as the boats turned and the Red Arrows flew over. The RMS Queen Mary 2 left the city, whilst the RMS Queen Elizabeth berthed and the RMS Queen Victoria anchored herself in the middle of the Mersey. That night, there were projections onto the 'Three Graces' (Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building) followed by fireworks and a goodbye to RMS Queen Elizabeth. RMS Queen Victoria sailed away the following day.

View my blog post here.

[europeanexplorer-blog]

Fireworks over the River Mersey during the 3 Queens celebrations in Liverpool.

[nicholassabalos]

Dancing Queens....

In celebration of Cunard Line’s 175th anniversary, the Cunard fleet performed a ship ballet in front of tens of thousands of spectators along the waterfront in Liverpool, England on May 25th, 2015.

Liverpool has a long and rich maritime history....including a close relationship with iconic ocean liners going back over a century. Liverpool was Titanic’s homeport!

Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria sailed in various formations, turns and pirouettes up and down the River Mersey.....to the delight of onlookers and TV viewers worldwide.

These nautical-ballet maneuvers are not unusual for warships....but are very rarely seen with gigantic passenger ships....in a narrow river....along a waterfront....in front of throngs of people!

In true British fashion....it was a ceremony fit for a Queen....or, in this case, three Queens! And one of the world’s most historic, classic and distinguished passenger ship companies.

                                      ______________________

>>CLICK the photo for a closer view....From left to right: Queen Victoria....Queen Mary 2....Queen Elizabeth.

>>Photo: James Morgan

>>PS -- Queen Mary 2 is the last true ocean liner left on the high seas. An ocean liner differs from a cruise ship in that she’s built to sail from port to port, at high speed, on schedule, irregardless of the weather. Cruise ships are not built as strong as ocean liners....and, necessarily, must try to avoid heavy weather by changing course and/or itinerary....or go slow and maneuver very carefully in rough seas.

[europeanexplorer-blog]

Projections on the Three Graces, including the Royal Liver Building and Cunard building, to commemorate 175 years of Cunard. Cunard was founded in 1840, when Sir Samuel Cunard’s mail steamship RMS Britannia began its transatlantic service to Halifax and Boston from Liverpool. To celebrate 175 years, RMS Queen Mary 2, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Victoria sailed together along the River Mersey over the Bank Holiday weekend, with other events being held to celebrate.

[nicholassabalos]

Birthdays, Queens & a Princess!

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015: There was a rare gathering of all three Cunard Line ocean liner/cruise ships....in and just outside of Southampton, England....beginning celebrations of the historic shipping line’s 175th birthday.

Top photo: Before sailing on their next voyages to far points of the globe, the Captains of these gorgeous ships gathered near the iconic funnel of Queen Mary 2 for a group photo.

Bottom photo: Then, the Captains took their huge and luxurious ships....Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria....to sea, beginning with a glorious parade through the Solent -- the wide channel that leads from their home port of Southampton to the open sea, past the Isle of Wight....thrilling thousands of cheering and waving onlookers....and, of course, thousands of very fortunate passengers aboard the three ships.

                                              *          *          *          *

Meanwhile, much of England was celebrating the birth of a new princess! The second child of Prince William and his wife, Kate, the newborn princess will get her name in a few days. She’ll be fourth-in-line to the throne of England....behind her grandfather, Prince Charles....her father, Prince William....and her big brother, Prince George.

Do I hear a new “Princess Diana” coming along, perhaps?

Quite a day for beautiful ships....an awesome country....and a newborn princess (and her parents, too, of course)!