Cunard Line fleet Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria to return to Liverpool for 175th anniversary
Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool (pic: John Shelley)CUNARD Line plans to celebrate its 175th anniversary by bringing its entire fleet of liners to Liverpool.
It is hoped that all three of Cunard’s world famous Queen liners will be present in the Mersey on July 4, 2015.
This will be 175 years to the day that Samuel Cunard sailed on his inaugural voyage from Liverpool, on July 4, 1840, aboard RMS Britannia – 1,154 gross tons – to Boston.
For the 175th anniversary celebration, the Mersey will host the Cunard flagship, RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2).
QM2 is the largest ocean liner built and could fit Britannia inside her dining room.
QM2 will be joined by her fleet mates, the new Queen Elizabeth, 91,000 gross tons, and Queen Victoria.
But the Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden voyage to Liverpool this week, and will launch the Mersey River Festival when she arrives at Liverpool Cruise Terminal on Thursday.
The six-day festival will end with the second visit of QM2, on Thursday, September 15.
Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool (pic: John Shelley)Peter Shanks, Cunard Line president and managing director, said: “There was a time when it was rare for there not to be a Cunarder in the Mersey. Now it is rare for there to be one.
“So I am really pleased that in 2011 we have not one, but two Cunard ships in Liverpool in the same month – something that hasn't been achieved for many years.
“Liverpool is Cunard's spiritual home and bringing a ship here is always very special for us as we hope it also is for the city. And two in two weeks is extra special.
“I hope we can top that on July 4, 2015, which is the 175th anniversary of Cunard's first ship setting out from here for the first time.
“My ambition for that day is to have our entire fleet in the Mersey at once.”
Eddie Clein, Lib-Dem deputy chairman of the council leisure, tourism and culture select committee, said: “This is a huge accolade. Cunard clearly recognises the efforts Liverpool is making to up its game in the cruise market.
“I was heavily involved in the aspirations to create the cruise terminal and it’s so rewarding that Cunard wants its anniversary here. It’s an amazing achievement and I’m so proud Cunard has such confidence in us.”
Cllr Barbara Mace, council Lib-Dem opposition spokesperson for culture and tourism, said: “This is a wonderful coup for Liverpool. Many thanks to Cunard for sharing its 175 years in this fantastic way. This is huge news as Liverpool re-discovers the importance of its maritime heritage and now takes it forward with Cunard into a new era.
“Also our thanks goes to Cunard for wanting to celebrate its 175th anniversary with us.”
The new Cunard Line won the British government’s highly-coveted transatlantic mail contract in 1840.
This was due to the reliability of steam-power, which eclipsed sail-power dependent on the weather’s vagaries.
The company’s later ships like Mauretania, Caronia and the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth became household names.
Cunard Line was based in Liverpool at the Cunard Building, Water Street, until 1966, when it relocated to Southampton.
Queen Elizabeth will dock on Thursday at Liverpool Cruise Terminal at 8.15am; fireworks at 9.50pm and departs at 10pm. Queen Mary 2 docks on Thursday, September 15, at 11.30am, fireworks at 10pm and departs at 10.15pm. Timings are provisional and may alter due to operating conditions and weather.
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