QE2

Very rare to see her pass the Needles. Neither QE2 or other passengers ships go that way now. I don't think there are pilots there any more with larger ships going via the Nab instead. Pilots boats go out from Gosport instead of Ryde Pier like they used to. Only smaller cargo vessels go out via the Needles channel now. Nice picture. David

Beautiful! Favorite!

Still the best looker in my opinion.

Vaery rare sight indeed. Remember seeing France gpoing out that way back round about 1979ish.

Pity they don't use this channel anymore. All to do with it not being reguarly dredged or whatever they do.

Alan

This photograph of QE2 was given away each voayge to one passenger chosen at random who had completed a passenger comment card at the end of the voyage. Unbeknown to them the "Pursers Staff" always chose a "Nice" passenger who had (unlike so many) been polite when visiting the Pursers Office. This is how I wish to remember QE2 before her demise into Carnival and P&O hands. Until the mid 90's she was run in the traditional Cunard style with standards that no longer exist.

Saga Rose always uses this channel

QE2 is by far the best looker in my opinion

David - the pilots always do the crew change at Ryde pier head

In all the years I was Dredgeing on the south coast,I have never seen a cruise ship go Via the needles channel,And looking at this photo I would have said the QE2 would have been aground if she did go that way.And you cannot see any bouys marking the channel IE Bridge buoy,Needles channel?.

They certainly used to go that way Sandman. Don't know when they stopped. I am sure that Lloyds have got something to do with it.

Moaf - Are you saying that Saga Rose still exits Southampton this way, presumably Ruby does as well. Are we saying that in a former life that Caronia went this way too?

Alan

Pity they still don't do it,it would have made some great photos,from a passing dredger when coming through the needles channel.

I think this has had the "New Labour" treatment. QE2 would be "Wreck Conspic" if she was where she is in the picture. However, she is a beautiful looking ship and long may she grace the horizon.