QE2: The Cunard Line Flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2
When the Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service in 1969 she was the last of the great transatlantic liners and the sole survivor of a bygone era. The modern ship was 963 feet long, 70,000 gross tons, and boasted a service speed exceeding 30 knots. The QE2 made an instant impact worldwide and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades. This long-awaited new edition presents the colourful history of the Cunard Line and an engrossing narrative of the ship’s eventful history, including construction and launch, service in the Falklands War, various mishaps, the sale of Cunard to Carnival, and the introduction of the new flagship Queen Mary 2. Also covered is the ship’s final decade, leading up to her eventual sale to become a floating hotel in Dubai. The story ends with a personal afterword by Commodore Ronald Warwick, recounting his long and unique association with the renowned vessel.
RONALD W. WARWICK is a past Master of QE2, having followed in the footsteps of his father, Commodore William E. Warwick, first Master of the ship. Ronald Warwick joined the Cunard Line in 1970 and himself became Commodore of the line when he was appointed command of the Queen Mary 2 in 2003. SAM WARWICK is the son of Ron Warwick and is an established maritime author. The QE2 has played a major part in his life since childhood and he has been a regular passenger on the ship.