FIFTY years ago the last British-built transatlantic liner was launched.
Christened by HM the Queen on 20 September 1967, the 963ft-long vessel
was named Queen Elizabeth 2. By the end of that same day, she was
already known by her famous nickname: QE2. Fast, smart and sleek, QE2
sailed over 5.6 million miles and carried more than 2.5 million
passengers during a magnificent career spanning nearly forty years. Put
simply, she carried more people further than any ship before her and
remains the longest serving express liner in history. Having sailed both
as a liner and as a cruise ship, served her country in the Falklands
conflict and undergone multiple makeovers, she also has one of the most
fascinating histories of any vessel and remains one of the best loved
and most celebrated. With stories from captains, crew and passengers,
and an unparalleled collection of photographs, Chris Frame and Rachelle
Cross bring the majestic QE2 to life in this commemorative tribute.