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Post by Dane on Mar 15, 2008 9:41:23 GMT -8
Hopefully these aren't pictures of her last sailing - and there will be a chance on Sunday to ride. I am crossing my fingers that she sails roughly on the same schedule as Friday - I work until 2.45 in Richmond! Anyways, Queen of Esquimalt, Horseshoe Bay 14 Mar 08 between 1545-1630 hrs Arriving into Horseshoe Bay, a sailing time of just over two hours. As she was in Berth 3, I had a lot of trouble getting a great shot from close up, so I gave up, but here she is with the Provincial coat of arms. Berth 3, the last time? Queen of Capilano Leaving Berth 3, as most of us have witnessed this is not a fast process. 8 minutes later, she is headed towards Nanaimo and picking up speed. Thanks Queen of Esquimalt, that was fun
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Post by CN2972South on Mar 15, 2008 11:01:53 GMT -8
Went through my photos of the Queen of Esquimalt and I think this one is the most fitting. Sailing off into the sunset.
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Post by coastalcody on Mar 15, 2008 11:12:17 GMT -8
Wow, i'm going to miss her.
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Mar 16, 2008 15:32:37 GMT -8
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Post by Mike C on Mar 17, 2008 9:42:12 GMT -8
...may she rest in peace.
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Post by Scott on Mar 17, 2008 20:28:31 GMT -8
New Years Day - 2008
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Mar 30, 2008 22:49:02 GMT -8
First time I saw her was after the first Galiano Island group trip Later in the end of summer Circle Pac bash, I got to see her again Better capture of the power slide this time The next day, got to go on her Two years later, still looking better than a year later She's served well, may she rest in peace.
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Post by Mac Write on Aug 29, 2007 13:06:28 GMT -8
Here is a nice "panoramic" photo of the Esquimalt's Deck 6 mid ship lounge. Now lets see everyone else's panoramic photos of ferries.
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Post by Mac Write on Aug 29, 2007 23:11:44 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on Mar 14, 2008 19:29:58 GMT -8
Unless I missed something, I think the only thread dedicated to the Queen of Esquimalt is in the group trips section although she has been mentioned in several other threads. Here we have an opportunity to see an active ferry become a "historic" ferry. A guest mentioned in the "Ferries Busy" thread that today (Friday), BC Ferries employees were saying that this afternoon's sailing from Horseshoe Bay was to be her last revenue trip. Whether that's the case or whether she's around for a few more days, she's about to become history. So here's a thread where we can discuss the ship and track her to her ending, whatever it may be.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 14, 2008 19:53:27 GMT -8
Here's the post that John referred to: Hello all, long time lurker first time poster here
I had to go to Nanaimo today (went over on the CR but that's another story). I was going for the 3PM out of HSB at 1:20. When I got to the toll booth the cashier said there was a "surprise" 1:30 sailing and it was the Queen of Esquimalt's very last revenue sailing; she had been sold and was on her way to the purchasers. Delighted to be a part of this bit of history, I opted for the surprise sailing (very few people aboard) and endured the 2hr 30min crossing. During the trip I found: - Shipyard plaques removed - Ship's bell removed - many crew members confirming it was the last sailing including one who said the engine room was being stripped, even removing the clocks from the walls
Anyhow thought you all might be interested
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Post by wayneh70 on Mar 14, 2008 22:55:22 GMT -8
Hi that was me Amusingly enough when the toll agent told me it was Q. Esq's last hurrah my first thought was "Cool I have something to post on the Ferry forum now" lol Wayne (Closet Ferry Geek)
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 14, 2008 23:05:21 GMT -8
She is stored and is prepared to sail for Manager's Discretion sailings until this Sunday...
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Post by Dane on Mar 15, 2008 9:43:20 GMT -8
ferriesbc.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=1184999756&page=2#1205602883Friday's (14 Mar 08) sailing of the Queen of Esquimalt into Horseshoe Bay and departing. Her arrival into Berth 3 was at about 1550 hrs, departing at 1625 hrs. The Esquimalt's Life: January 1962 - Contract Awarded for her construction. April 2, 1962 - Her keel is laid January 22, 1963 - She is launched from Victoria Machinery Depot April 31, 1963 - She enters service, I believe on Route 1 1967 - She recieves platform decks January 23, 1969 - Burrard Dry Dock recieves a contract to stretch the Queen of Esquimalt February 27, 1969 - Queen of Esquimalt arrives at Burrard Dry Dock to be stretched April 11, 1969 - Welders cut the Queen of Esquimalt into two, the first time this is done for BC Ferries! June 14, 1969 - Queen of Esqimalt re-enters service after her stretch (with an unraised funnel) .... and then fast forward to January 5, 1981 when the Queen is delievered to Burrard-Yarrowsfor a good 'ol lifting job adding about 6 meters to her for a third car deck level. During this work she also recieves a bulbous bow and thrusters. .... fast forward again to January 30th of this year when she was announced publically as being on sale, and then her final sailing on March 14th at 1630 hrs from Horsesho Bay to Departure Bay.
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Post by ferrytraveller on Mar 15, 2008 10:15:43 GMT -8
anyone else have more info on the queen of esquimalt's apparent sale?
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 15, 2008 11:24:25 GMT -8
She will be leaving Departure Bay on Monday, as she may serve a MD sailing sometime this weekend.
Her last days in the BCF fleet will be spent at Langdale's berth 2...
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Post by coastalcody on Mar 15, 2008 11:37:30 GMT -8
I will try and get some pics, seeing as i live beside the terminal.
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Post by kieran Horsburgh on Apr 23, 2008 12:24:44 GMT -8
where is the esquimalt im having trouble finding her or is she gone to the graveyard. please help
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Apr 23, 2008 12:44:28 GMT -8
Kieran, she is currently at Langdale's berth 2. The following picture was taken on Sunday... She is supposed to move back to Departure Bay soon but with Berth 2 currently on the fritz she may not show up here until early next month. Word has it that she will be put to use for MD sailings in May...
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 23, 2008 21:54:26 GMT -8
Q of Esquimalt prior to being lifted; Active Pass, ~ late 1970's - DOT photo ©I believe that this photo 'belongs' in any photo tribute to the aging beauty... Thanks to my brother for the photo.
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Post by Ferryman on Apr 24, 2008 7:05:22 GMT -8
She is supposed to move back to Departure Bay soon but with Berth 2 currently on the fritz she may not show up here until early next month. Word has it that she will be put to use for MD sailings in May... Woah woah woah. Stop the bus! Lets assess the likelyhood of this situation. The Esquimalt was being stripped of anything useful within the fleet since she arrived at Langdale, was she not? Or, was she just sitting there, awaiting her fate? MD sailing(s) in May? I'm assuming this would be for the Victoria Day long weekend. BUT, by then the Queen of Oak Bay will be back in service, and the Queen of Coquitlam would likely be placed back in Departure Bay. I'd assume that they'd rather use the Coquitlam over the Esquimalt though. That is, unless there's plans for the Coquitlam go in to some sort of early maintenance, and/or be berthed somewhere else? The Coastal Inspirations in service date is still uncertain, so it's hard to say if she'll be in the way still. IF the Inspiration was in service by Victoria day long weekend, this frees up the Queen of Cowichan - also another spare. So in conclusion, we would probably have the twin C's sitting at Departure Bay, while the Eskie is left where she is.
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Post by Hardy on Apr 24, 2008 7:33:09 GMT -8
In my often-starry dream world, perhaps we could have 3-boat service on Rte-30 over that weekend. Or maybe they would bring the Esq down to run Rte-9? We could wildly speculate just about anything ... we will only see what happens when it happens, and, just so that it is said, just because sailings are promised somewhere (RBI, comments, etc) does not mean that they will happen until there are pax and cars onboard and she has left the dock.
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Post by Retrovision on Apr 24, 2008 7:45:05 GMT -8
To support your notion to the least ammount that I can, a knowledgeable crew member that we encountered this past weekend did mention a 'V' Class as a possible fill-in vessel north of the 'Majors'
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Apr 24, 2008 11:37:33 GMT -8
Woah woah woah. Stop the bus! Lets assess the likelyhood of this situation. The Esquimalt was being stripped of anything useful within the fleet since she arrived at Langdale, was she not? Or, was she just sitting there, awaiting her fate? MD sailing(s) in May? I'm assuming this would be for the Victoria Day long weekend. BUT, by then the Queen of Oak Bay will be back in service, and the Queen of Coquitlam would likely be placed back in Departure Bay. I'd assume that they'd rather use the Coquitlam over the Esquimalt though. That is, unless there's plans for the Coquitlam go in to some sort of early maintenance, and/or be berthed somewhere else? The Coastal Inspirations in service date is still uncertain, so it's hard to say if she'll be in the way still. IF the Inspiration was in service by Victoria day long weekend, this frees up the Queen of Cowichan - also another spare. So in conclusion, we would probably have the twin C's sitting at Departure Bay, while the Eskie is left where she is. The Esquimalt has had items removed from her. Now that she will be used for MD sailings only in May has made the crews angry as they now have to put some of the stuff they took off earlier back onto her. The Oak Bay will be back to Route 2. The Coquitlam will be the scheduled extra and will do triangle runs. The CI is supposed to head to Tsawwassen for an employee open house in May and I assume it may spend a few days at Tsawwassen after that.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 24, 2008 16:10:02 GMT -8
Woah woah woah. Stop the bus! Lets assess the likelyhood of this situation. The Esquimalt was being stripped of anything useful within the fleet since she arrived at Langdale, was she not? Or, was she just sitting there, awaiting her fate? MD sailing(s) in May? I'm assuming this would be for the Victoria Day long weekend. BUT, by then the Queen of Oak Bay will be back in service, and the Queen of Coquitlam would likely be placed back in Departure Bay. I'd assume that they'd rather use the Coquitlam over the Esquimalt though. That is, unless there's plans for the Coquitlam go in to some sort of early maintenance, and/or be berthed somewhere else? The Coastal Inspirations in service date is still uncertain, so it's hard to say if she'll be in the way still. IF the Inspiration was in service by Victoria day long weekend, this frees up the Queen of Cowichan - also another spare. So in conclusion, we would probably have the twin C's sitting at Departure Bay, while the Eskie is left where she is. The Esquimalt has had items removed from her. Now that she will be used for MD sailings only in May has made the crews angry as they now have to put some of the stuff they took off earlier back onto her. Scott, why does this news just make me want to start laughing out loud at the farcical nature of this whole thing?
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