'Cunardia' and Queen Victoria
| Cunard's newest liner was brought into service late in 2007 following christening by Her Royal Highness, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in Southampton December 10, 2007. In an effort to capture the grand style and decor associated with the floating palaces of the past, and also to give emphasis to its rich history and heritage, Cunard Line created Cunardia, a museum-style exhibit of Cunard memorabilia aboard Queen Victoria. The permanent onboard display reflects a number of different themes focused upon the line's three great Queens... Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2. Some of the artifacts in the Cunardia exhibit are on loan from the collection of John G. Langley, Q.C., Chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society. Retired Commodore Ronald W. Warwick, Patron of the Society and former Master of both QE2 and Queen Mary 2 serves as Honorary Curator of the exhibit. |
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Central showcase in Cunardia Exhibit onboard Queen Victoria featuring the first three Cunard 'Queens'...Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2..
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One of themed displays in Cunardia Exhibit presenting photographic images of historic ports of call of early Cunard liners.
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Royal Rendezvous - Sydney, Australia
| In February of 2008, while on her Maiden World Cruise, Cunard's newest liner Queen Victoria made her inaugural port call to Sydney, Australia. Meanwhile, Cunard's former flagship QE2 was on her 26th and last World Cruise and making her final port visit to Sydney. Both ships...the youngest and the eldest Cunard monarchs met for a memorable weekend in spectacular Sydney harbour.
The entire city, which has had a long association with Cunard Line, particularly during WW2 when Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were there as troopships, was in a mood to party, as only the Aussies can.
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Some of the enormous crowd gathered on Sydney waterfront February 24, 2008 to take in the 'Royal Rendezvous' – final meeting of QE2 and Queen Victoria.
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 Final parting of the Queens – QE2 and Queen Victoria passing in Sydney Harbour February 24, 2008.
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On a beautiful sunny day February 24th, 2008 the Sydney waterfront was the scene of tens of thousands people gathered to watch the much-anticipated 'meeting of the Queens'. Shortly after 6:00 pm QE2 and Queen Victoria passed each other in mid harbour to the deep, resonating sound of horns from each ship, to the delight of all those watching from shore and aboard the large flotilla of pleasure craft which encircled the Queens. There were more than a few tears shed by rapt spectators both young and old. It was a special moment... another chapter in the rich heritage which is uniquely Cunard. |
 QE2 berths in Sydney, Australia for the last time February 24, 2008.
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'Royal Rendezvous' – Sydney Ferries Corporation brochure advertising final meeting of QE2 and Queen Victoria, February 24, 2008. (Click to Enlarge)
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Isle of Man Stamp Issues Commemorating QE2
The Isle of Man Post Office, working in conjunction with Cunard Line and other Cunard enthusiasts has produced a number of spectacular stamps and commemorative covers to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth 2 in her final year of service.
The Cunard Steamship Society was pleased to collaborate in the production of a Limited Edition Commemorative Cover 'The QE2 bids farewell to Canada' which was released aboard QE2 September 21, 2008, the very day that she made her final port call to Halifax, Nova Scotia, birthplace of company founder Samuel Cunard.
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 Cunard Steamship Society Chairman John G. Langley, Q.C. with QE2 librarians Carmel Rogers (L) and Jayne Downey (R) onboard QE2
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Copies of this cover, signed by the Chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society, along with a varied assortment of other limited edition items produced by the Isle of Man Post Office in conjunction with Cunard Line are available as part of a Queen Elizabeth 2 –The Farewell Season Luxury Box Set . Orders may be made for a limited time online at: www.iomstamps.com or by emailing: stamps@iompost.com
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Front piece of commemorative envelope 'QE2 Farewell to Canada' released onboard QE2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada September 21, 2008
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Reverse side of IOM commemorative cover 'QE2 Farewell To Canada'
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Final Farewell to QE2 - A Banner Day for Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 21, 2008 was yet another historic day in the life of this Canadian east coast seaport which is the birthplace of Samuel Cunard, founder of Cunard Line.
The longest serving Cunard liner QE2 tied up for the last time at Pier 22, promptly at 8:00 am. Soon thereafter many of the 1650 passengers, most of British descent disembarked the ship to explore the city from which Cunard Line was conceived back in 1840.
Meanwhile, civic, government and port officials had been invited aboard the ship for a reception and luncheon. During the reception Captain Ian McNaught, Master of QE2 presented John G. Langley, Q.C., Chairman of Cunard Steamship Society with the QE2's paying off pennant for Halifax, Cunard's Canadian homeport. The tradition of the paying off of a ship, the taking of a liner out of service, has long been a part of the Cunard tradition. The pennant embodies the history and heritage of both the ship and the company. This one has special significance to Halifax and will be shared and preserved on behalf of all Canadians by the Cunard Steamship Society.
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Dawn breaks as QE2 arrives in Halifax for the last time September 21, 2008
 QE2 turning in Halifax harbour with site of original Cunard wharves, now Canadian Naval Dockyard, visible to extreme right. (photo by Andrew K. Langley)
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 A new generation of 'Cunarder' – Cunard Steamship Society Chairman John G. Langley, Q.C. with granddaughter Elle Adison Langley and Captain McNaught onboard QE2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia September 21, 2008.
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 Captain Ian McNaught addressing reception aboard QE2 in Halifax September 21, 2008.
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QE2 Captain Ian McNaught presents John G. Langley, Q.C., Chairman of Cunard Steamship Society with ship's paying off pennant for Halifax – Canadian homeport for Cunard Line and birthplace of company founder Samuel Cunard – onboard QE2 in Halifax, September 21, 2008
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Queen Elizabeth 2 moves off the Halifax seawall for the last time with the aid of the indefatigable harbour tugs.
(photo by Andrew K. Langley)
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Registered Charity Status
| In June of 2008 the Cunard Steamship Society attained another milestone when it was granted charitable status under the Income Tax Act (Canada). This new status is of particular importance to the Society in achieving its mandate of preserving and promoting Cunard history and heritage. Henceforth the Society may issue charitable receipts for bona fide donations of cash or for the appraised value of artifacts in the nature of Cunard ephemera. (The onus is on all donors to satisfy themselves as to the applicability of their local income tax rules to any individual donation to the society.) |
A Decade of Proud Promotion and Preservation
| This year 2008 marks ten years since the Cunard Steamship Society was incorporated in 1998.
Originally set up as a means of preserving and promoting Cunard history, the Society has been very active pursuing this mandate and during this time has participated in many initiatives which have helped to make the public more aware of the significant role in maritime history played by Halifax native Samuel Cunard and the Line which continues to proudly carry his name throughout the world.
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