Pensioners speak of QE2 sandbank drama

AN elderly couple enjoying the final leg of a cruise onboard the QE2 have told of their experience after it ran aground.

Kenneth and Geraldine Williams, of the Avenue, Brockham, were returning from a 15-day cruise when the luxury liner hit a sandbank on Tuesday morning.

The grandparents-of-10 were among 1,750 passengers and 193 crew on a tour of the Mediterranean stopping off at Lisbon, Naples, Dubrovnik and Athens before returning to Southampton.

This was the famous liner's last journey in UK waters before its final voyage to Dubai where it will become a floating hotel.

The Williams said they had been enjoying an early-morning breakfast when they felt the ship run aground.

Mr Williams, 79, said: "At 6.15am there was a terrific shudder and an almighty noise but the funny thing is there was no physical damage, at least in the dining area.

"I heard gasps and saw people's reactions but we took it all calmly, but as far as I know she has not had any incidents like that before, so it was a shock to us all."

Mrs Williams, 81, added: "It was almost as if she was saying she did not want to go anywhere."

The berth was delayed by an hour as crew waited for the tide to rise before tugboats could safely bring her into dock.

Owners Cunard said most people were asleep during the incident and no one was hurt.

But the Williams said people were left in the dark as to what had happened.

"No one panicked, but no one came to reassure us after what had happened.

"There was no announcement as to why it had stopped.

"I thought that maybe the captain could have reassured people about that," said Mr Williams.

During its lifetime the QE2 has travelled the equivalent of 14 trips to the moon and journeyed 271 times around the world.

Following Tuesday's drama Mrs Williams said she was looking forward to seeing her family and giving them gifts from their voyage, including Cunard the bear.

Mr Williams said he was proud to have experienced the final days of the 40-year-old liner before she is taken out of service.

He said: "We have sailed on her once before.

"But we went on the cruise because it was the last one ever from Southampton to Southampton."