TS Queen Mary to leave the Thames

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snapper

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The wonderful old Queen Mary, the Clyde Steamer moored for so many years on the Thames at Waterloo Bridge is to leave London.

She will depart her moorings at 10.00am on Monday 9th November and will be manoeuvered and towed by three tugs.

Queen Mary's funnels have already been dismantled and are lying flat on her deck. She is a ship of some size so the sight of her leaving should be quite impresssive.

Her destination is La Rochelle where there are plans for her to be converted into a luxury boutique hotel. I suppose that's no worse than her role as a floating pub dor the last two decades; at least she's not being scrapped.

I though this post might be of interest for those in London on that day who may be near the river and would be interested to see her go.
 
I don't think any of the historic vessels registers have any legal status. To preserve the City Adelaide she had to registered as a listed building but the museum owning her could still apply for and got permission to demolish her.
 
Queen Mary

Interesting - I see that there's nothing on the Tower Bridge lift schedule for Monday next .... are we sure of this info? (No intention of impugning your sources, merely suprised that they haven't notified the lift).

I will be in the area and will aim for pics at Tower Bridge - sadly, the boat is at Penton Hook at the moment so no chance of following QM down the river - a couple of shots at the barrier may be possible from the park though ..... we shall see.
 
I found the information on a website from Ben who runs the Thames website, The Liquid Highway. He's a waterman on one of the Clippers I think and knows the goings on in this part of the river very well.

Progress is continuing on making her ready for sea as I noticed this morning that the masts had been taken down.

I doubt she will ever return to the Thames as beleive her permanant new home will be La Rochelle.

Pehaps there is some delay in her departure. Anyone have any other information?
 
Not sure about this at all. Still nothing on the Tower Bridge site - and the QM website is still advertising, and apparently taking bookings for, Xmas parties etc. I'll have to call them and ask I suppose!
 
She's leaving soon alright...

This morning the previously permanent gangway has been lifted away, and the mast is down.

If you book a Christmas Party on her you may find you are spending Christmas in the Biscay.
 
Hello snapper & other members

Just found the thread. Its Ben from the Liquid Highway site. I will hopefully be taking part in the tow on Monday. As far as i am aware so far (will confirm tomorrow) the Queen Mary will be removed from the piles and towed out through the bridges backwards, which is a real shame for photographing. However still an historic event and well worth photographing.
Due to low water conditions i do not think she would be able to be swung at Waterloo Bridge itself.

I need to confirm the timings she will be in certain places but understand she will be made ready from around 8am onwards. She will then be moved from her moorings and for a while stem the tide with the 3 tugs just below Waterloo bridge awaiting a low enough tide to clear Blackfriars Bridge.

The QM will be swung so she is facing head down at Hanover Hole ( just below wapping police pier) and then towed to Tilbury.

I am not too sure on the details regarding her tow to La Rochelle from Tilbury as i will not be present but have heard she will be loaded onto a semi submersible barge.


Hope this helps


*Updates to follow !
 
OK, time to admit my dumbness. Having worried publicly about the fact that there was no mention of this move on the Tower Bridge website, it - eventually - dawned on me that the reason that there was nothing on the Twr Bdge site was that, of course, there would be no need to lift! If the tug/QM combination can get under London Bridge, then they can get under Tower without a lift. How long did it take me to work that out.

Sorry .......

Will try to get down to take pics on Monday.
 
Due to depart her Waterloo mooring at approx 9-9.30am, she will then stem the tide/lay alongside the HMS President for approx 45mins - 1hour waiting to get under Blackfriars Bridge.

As far as i know,she will be towed stern first due to the tight turning space at Waterloo Bridge. She will be swung just below Wapping police pier and towed to Tilbury.

I shall be onboard the AICIRTRON and will be passing photos i manage to take onto the great website dedicated to the QM here : http://turbinesteamers.awardspace.com/QueenMary.htm
 
I took this picture today, they are removing the attachments to the piles, ready for tomorrow. sorry about the quality, but phone camera from moving boat, then traffic.
 
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