QE2 souvenir book to treasure

This from http://www.dailyecho.co.uk

"FOR decades she has been a familiar sight on the Southampton waterfront but now her days on the oceans are numbered as liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is to be withdrawn from service next year.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the liner's launch by the Queen in 1967 the Daily Echo has produced a unique publication that traces the history of QE2 from its inception and build, through the troubled times which forced the delay of her maiden voyage, her multi-millionpound re-engineering during the 1980s, the many ups and, quite a few, downs during an unequalled career, the like of which is unlikely ever to be seen again.

The book, QE2, A Celebration of Forty Years Service, contains dozens of photographs taken over the decades and held in the Daily Echo archives as the ship criss-crossed the seven seas carrying the name of Southampton, emblazoned on her hull, to all corners of the globe.
Crammed with fascinating facts and figures about the most famous liner in the world, the glossy 148-page publication, a strictly-limited edition, is to become highly sought-after once QE2 leaves Southampton for the last time on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 to become a floating hotel in Dubai.

The book takes readers on a tour of the liner, recounts the stories of the famous, and infamous, characters who have travelled on the ship and remembers the time the ship was targeted by an extortionist who claimed explosives had been planted on board, resulting in a crack team of SAS bomb disposal experts parachuting into mid-Atlantic to ensure QE2 was safe.

Then there was the time in September 1995 when a 96ft rogue wave struck QE2 fullon, the full-scale alert when IRA explosives were discovered on board in Southampton, and Frank Sinatra's private telephone calls to arrange a discreet dinner with Princess Margaret.

All these stories, and many more, are contained in this special commemorative publication, costing £15, which can be obtained from Daily Echo offices at Redbridge, Southampton's Hanover Buildings and Eastleigh.

Or contact 023 8042 4544.
10:58am Friday 21st September 2007