Queen Elizabeth 2 Facts | The Mail Buoy

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While we sail onboard Queen Elizabeth 2 this week here’s a few facts about the ship- (Information provided by Cunard UK)

QE2 is the only ship to be awarded Five Stars by the Royal Automotive Club.
She’s the fastest ship in operation, capable of cruising at 28.5 knots with a max speed of 34 knots
There are 9 diesel engines each the size of a double decker bus.
The ship has the most powerful propulsion plant on a non-military vessel making her the most powerful civilian vessel afloat today.
QE2 has the largest marine motors ever built.
QE2 also has the largest cinema at sea with a capacity of 531, the ship also has the only Synagogue at sea.
The ship cost just under 29 million GBP to build in 1969 – however Cunard has spent more than 15 times that amount on refits and refurbishments
Cunard spent 100million GBP to re-engine the ship in 1986/87 the largest amount ever spent on such a project. The original steam turbines had powered the ship 2,622,858 nautical miles – the equivalent of 115 times around the world.
On June 13, 1999 QE2 exceeded 175,290 hours of steaming time which equals exactly 20 years on the move including 4 leap years.
Cunard’s first ship Britannia could fit into QE2′s Grand Lounge
QE2 can sail 49.5 feet on one gallon of fuel. However on the steam turbine engines previously fitted on the ship, it could only go 36 feet on one gallon of fuel.
The ship’s diesel-electric system produces 130,000 hp and is the most powerful propulsion system on any merchant ship in the world.
QE2 can sail backward at 19 knots – faster than many ships can sail forward
The ship’s 95 megavolt power output is enough to light a city the size of Southampton.
277,000 meters of cling wrap is used every year which is enough to wrap the ship nearly 731 times
Approximately 1 million people came to see QE2 when she called at Liverpool for the first time on July 24, 1999.
QE2 carries 4,381.4 tons of fuel oil which is sufficient for 10 days sailing at 32.5 knots equaling 7,800 miles.
QE2 consumes 18.05 tons of fuel per hour – 433 tons per day.
The ship’s rudder weigh’s 80 tons.