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The Online Magazine of Clyde shipping, shipbuilding and the Clydeside area
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The Day The Queen Went Missing! |
 Posted on Clydeshipping on 26/02/2005, at 12:32
The year is 1940, the date is as today, 26th February, it is Monday and the time is 12:32 and one of the most historic events in the Clyde's history is about to unfold.
This event has no fanfares, it is the start of a secret mission as the world's biggest ship, RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH is nudged and pulled out of John Brown & Co's fitting out basin and under the command of Captain J C Townley she starts to move down river. Of course, a secret like this can be no secret when you are shoving about the biggest moveable creation man has ever made, and as in this picture, first posted by Stuart Cameron ( 16/10/2004 - post no: 93112 ) shows, there are people, waiting to watch in awe as the great 'Grey Ghost' makes her stately progression down the river of her birth.
How different from what Cunard had wanted.
QUEEN MARY, after her lengthy spell building on the stocks, had successfully woo-ed the rich and famous and a second vessel was required to run beside her. QUEEN ELIZABETH was launched on Tuesday, 27 September, 1938 by the then Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by the future monarch of that name and her sister Princess Margaret.
In many ways this QUEEN ELIZABETH and her sister QUEEN MARY affected the nation the same way as her future carrier namesake and the HMS PRINCE OF WALES. Machinery and equipment came from towns and cities all over the United Kingdom and when she was launched more equipment was destined from all airts and pairts. This was a truly British enterprise, but the pride of the Clyde mainly built her. It is sad to reflect that war intervened and that no great ceremony, no cheering crowds and no bands bade farewell to this mighty ship as she left her builders, as had accompanied the MARY when she famously departed the Clyde. No trials would take place, no gleaming black and white paintwork with the famous Cunard funnel colours.
Just a few people here and there, and accompanying tugs, to see this huge drably painted vessel on her way to the Tail o' the Bank, for what would be final, very secret, preparations
It is probable that the Germans knew about her movements, false information about the ship's destination was put out to say she was heading for Southampton, it is likely they thought too she would be waiting to start trials on the Clyde. After all, that would be the normal state of affairs.
The people of the Clyde would see her sitting there, austere looking, looming out of the mists, catching the sun, a silent monster amongst all the plethora of vessels - paddle steamers, cargo ships, destroyers, battlecruisers and other ships engaged in wartime and daily activity. None could compare to this giant amongst them, this unproven pride of the British merchant navy. All would be expecting her to begin trials.
Five days later, true to the name she would be given, she disappeared suddenly, the great ghost was gone taking all by surprise. She wasn't at the back of Arran, and she wasn't heading for Southampton - she was out in the Atlantic zig-zagging as fast as she could go whilst technicians and engineers nursed her new machinery, praying that the worst would not happen - either being torpedoed or bombed or breaking down altogether.
Angus MacKinnon has posted on this too: see message 92580 and for a first hand account from one of Weir's engineers see: 92581
In a testament to the skills of her manufacturers, engineers and shipbuilders, she arrived at New York, safe and sound on the 7th March. An untried ship, the biggest yet, and took only five day days to cross the mighty Atlantic. I think you will agree, that the people pictured above in this incredible picture of Stuart Cameron's, are truly witnessing the beginning of the history of this monumental triumph of engineering.
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| Copyright B.Biddulph, Clydesite 2005 - Unless otherwise stated. Any materials credited shows the name of the copyright owner where known. The pages are intended for private use, for educational purposes. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner. Reassemble the following to email address format to contact: editor at clydeshipping .co .uk |
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