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QE2

The Age Has Googled A Ferry Disaster

The Age is running a story about Google Maps at the moment and the apparent “ferry disaster” in Sydney Cove: 

The Age “Ferry Crash” in Sydney Cove from Google Maps

The ferry “collision” appears right beside a giant cruise liner – either the Queen Elizabeth 2 or Queen Mary 2 – which was docked at Sydney Cove when the photographs were taken.
The image appears to show a ferry travelling at full speed colliding with a smaller boat. Metres away, another boat appears submerged under water except for the tip of its nose. Source: theage.com.au

Google have said that this is just an image stitching issue.  The interesting thing is that the Age couldn’t be bothered to research their story properly.  Two things indicate that the Liner in question is in fact the Queen Elizabeth 2: the fact that she is berthed facing out into the harbour, whereas the Queen Victoria was facing Circular Quay; and secondly, a quick Google revealed that the call-sign on the roof of the Bridge “GBTT” belongs to the QE2. 

Link to Google Map [^], with the QE2’s call sign clearly visible.

Sydney – Two Queens

QV and QE2 CrossingThe CannibalRabbits are just back from Sydney.  We headed up there to see the passing of the two Queens – Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 and the new Queen Victoria.

Two Queens Crossing

There are more photos on the Photo Gallery [^]

We were lucky enough to have booked a harbour cruise for the big event.  This meant that we had grandstand seats to watch the passing of the two Queens.  It was amazing the number of people that decided to join us the shores of the Harbour all around Mrs Macquaries Seat and Cremorne Point and Ashton Park on the north side of the Harbour were absolutely crowded.  On the Harbour itself had every size of vessel from ten-foot tinnies up to the 90,000 ton, 965 foot long, 179 foot tall Queen Victoria.

The passing was billed by Cunard as a Royal Rendezvous.  This was the QE2’s 29th and final visit to Sydney, and marked the 30th anniversary of her first visit to Sydney on the 24th February 1978.  Once this world cruise is over she will be turned into a luxury floating hotel in Dubai. The Queen Victoria was on her maiden world voyage.  While passing on either side of Fort Denison the liners sounded a whistle salute, which could heard 16km (10miles) away.

 Cunard Press Release [^]

Sydney Morning Herald Photo Gallery:
              Queen Victoria [^]
              Queen Elizabeth 2 [^]