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Post by Starsteward on Apr 10, 2009 11:44:13 GMT -8
The original light blue, with the 3 blue sections on the bow always looked hot to me. The twin funnels with the black, white and blue colour scheme with the Dogwood House Flag in the center white panel was clean and striking. Too bad someone made off with big round Provincial crest that used to adorn the top of the bow door. The Provincial Crest was very classy. The 'Slugs' don't cut it, they look awful, but the 'BC Ferries' splashed across the superstructure isn't all bad. The completely white bow door on the QPR at present makes the ship look totally washed out and cheap. The rust and the battle scars she shows today will never see another coat of paint, sad, in a way, but I suppose at the end of the day none of us look like we just came out of the showroom or just had a facelift.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 10, 2009 14:18:53 GMT -8
Here is about the only semi-passable photo I have of the Queen of Prince Rupert leaving Bear Cove. This was the last photo on a roll of film. All the others are slides.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 10, 2009 17:50:02 GMT -8
Hey there Northern Exploration, part of my QPR project that I hope to get to tomorrow is the conversion of slides and negatives to digitial images. For years I have been looking for a product, other than $1500.00 professional equipment to convert the slides and negatives I've collected over the years. A couple of months ago, I picked up a neat little unit, made by 'The Sharper Image' for about $100.00 and it's a slide and negative converter which you plug in to a USB port on your computer and with the friendly software included, it's a compact high-tech device that measures 6.5 inches high by 7 inches ling by 5 inches wide. System requirements are Windows XP or Windows Vista. Features: Converts slides and negatives into 5 megapixel digital images. Easily edit, crop and re-size pictures. Fixed focus automatic exposure control & colour balance. It will scan images up to 3600 dpi. Hopefully this little puppy works well as I've got a considerable number of slides to say nothing of negatives that I want to include in my QPR project. Just thought I'd pass this info. along in case you're looking for such a piece of equipment.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 10, 2009 18:26:25 GMT -8
That is great to know thanks. My dad and I have talked about doing something together so maybe that is the answer.
I have two scanners in the basement each with slide attachments but they are nightmares to use. One freezes the computers constantly and the other does fine regular scans but crappy slide scans. Both were expensive when they were new
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 10, 2009 20:34:48 GMT -8
Glad to be of help. I'll let you know how well the gizmo works when I finish up the project. Cheers
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 10, 2009 21:07:36 GMT -8
The pictures I am adding tonight are all from the Expo era. QPR, @ Fairview Terminal (Prince Rupert) - viewed from AMHS ferry - 2 August 1985 © WCK-JST - Kodachrome 85-10-03] on FlickrRefit paint job - probably spring 1987 - Tsawwassen [DOT photo] The following three photos [all by JST] were shot in August of 1987 at Skidegate Landing while on a vacation to Haida Gwaii. QPR at berth, Skidegate Landing - 15 Aug 1987 WCK/JST photo © by Wett Coast, on Flickr[/size] Queen of Prince Rupert @ Skidegate Terminal, Haida Gwaii - 15 August 1987 photo © WCK-JST - Konica 87-07-22 - VueScan by Wett Coast, on Flickr------------------------------------- In Prince Rupert harbour - 28 June 1989 [JST photo] @ Bear Cove, Port Hardy - Spring 1998 @ Rupert ferry terminal - June 2000 [JST photo] The following two photos were taken at Bear Cove, Port Hardy, in March 2002. These are the first digital photos in this collection. QPR @ Bear Cove (Port Hardy) March 2002 [JST photo ©] by Wett Coast, on Flickr[/size] [JST photo] Queen of Prince Rupert, approaching berth @ Fairview, Prince Rupert Harbour - 17 January 2003. A few months after this photo was taken the QPR received its slugs, one of the first BCF vessels to be so blessed. © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on FlickrThat is it for now
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Post by Canucks on Apr 10, 2009 22:10:34 GMT -8
Awesome photos so far! I am really enjoying these and am kind of sad that I don't get to go on her before she is retired but the photos sure make up for it.
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Post by hergfest on Apr 11, 2009 17:48:14 GMT -8
Wow, that is a big radar.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 11, 2009 23:35:55 GMT -8
I have my spies in Prince Rupert and elsewhere digging up the latest info. on the QPR's ultimate decommissioning date. Stay tuned. Any word on how the Nor Ad is making out with her repairs and D.O.T. scrutiny?
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 12, 2009 7:00:56 GMT -8
I have my spies in Prince Rupert and elsewhere digging up the latest info. on the QPR's ultimate decommissioning date. Stay tuned. Any word on how the Nor Ad is making out with her repairs and D.O.T. scrutiny? Since you are plugged in...can you see if someone knows roughly how often the "premium cabins" are sold on the NorAd? I think that would be very interesting to know. Thanks.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 12, 2009 13:20:05 GMT -8
I have my spies in Prince Rupert and elsewhere digging up the latest info. on the QPR's ultimate decommissioning date. Stay tuned. Any word on how the Nor Ad is making out with her repairs and D.O.T. scrutiny? Since you are plugged in...can you see if someone knows roughly how often the "premium cabins" are sold on the NorAd? I think that would be very interesting to know. Thanks. As far as I have been able to determine, the premium cabins on the NorAd were rented out only during the summer service on the Inside Passage. In other words they are not available in the off season. I have no idea if they will be available this summer and during subsequent summers when she replaces the QPR on the Haida Gwaii route. I suspect that they will want to run her as economically as possible. That means keeping frills and crewing levels to a minimum.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 12, 2009 14:47:13 GMT -8
My thinking is that if the rooms are only rented part of the season and then only full part of the time, the cost of converting the area into the Seawest Lounge would be a little more palatable. The current Seawest could become a video room or part of it the kids play room. This would enable the old kids/video area into another forward viewing area.
Structurally, cutting windows into the front could be very expensive and a real engineering challenge. So all of it could be a mute point for the ship that will be the second ship on the run. Forward viewing to QCI isn't as important as so much of it is night time or just open water. So in reality while we all would like the forward viewing it may not exactly be a reasonable expense.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 12, 2009 16:17:31 GMT -8
On this Easter Sunday I am featuring a few 'new' QPR pictures from 2003 to the present. All are of digital origin and taken by me and feature the wonderful drab and uninspired current BCFS livery... Fairview Terminal, Prince Rupert - June 2003 Departing Skidegate Terminal - QCI - July 2003 ------------------------------------ The following 3 photos were taken at McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella) on 31 Dec 2006 ------------------------------------ The following 3 photos were taken in Prince Rupert Harbour on 26 July 2008 ------------------------------------ Early Morning Light @ Ocean Falls - 19 Oct 2008 @ Boat Bluff - Oct 2008 North Bound - Oct 2008 That's pretty well it for me. Its over to others for more photos & memories for this, our one time flag ship, the Queen of Prince Rupert.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 12, 2009 21:22:09 GMT -8
I really like this view... looking up at her along the side makes her look much larger and more imposing than she really is.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 13, 2009 13:30:06 GMT -8
I really like this view... looking up at her along the side makes her look much larger and more imposing than she really is. There are numerous examples of commercial ships being turned into private yachts. Some examples are very large ocean going tugs, a Canadian Ice Breaker Bart Roberts, research vessels and most famously probably is the Christina - a former Canadian navy vessel turned into a yacht by Aristotle Onassis. I don't think it would be too difficult to turn the QPR into a yacht. What the state of her hull and machinery though is another matter. The main car deck (lower half) could be turned into crew, galley, extra machinery space, dive centre and other toy area and tender storage. All subdivided for watertight compartments. The front visor permanently welded shut. The rear car door reconfiguered to be a tender launching/docking area and beach area for water sports. The upper half of the car deck could be used for staterooms and perhaps crew staterooms. That would leave all area above the car deck for lounges, dining, owners stateroom/office/sitting, and observation areas. Seems like a massive amount of work but it was done for all the above vessels that were in various stages of age and after heavy usage. If you google Bart Rogers you will see a tacky (interior is pirate themed) example. Artic P a giant former salvage tug. Come on Jimmy. Use Nova Spirit as your local runabout and get a flagship with real BC roots .
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rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
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Post by rt1commuter on Apr 13, 2009 20:48:29 GMT -8
How about some interior shots? I have only had the pleasure of being on the QPR twice, back in 1994 when my family went on a road trip to the Charlottes.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 15, 2009 8:59:52 GMT -8
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Post by Mac Write on Apr 15, 2009 12:36:12 GMT -8
Anyone want to car pool to get up there? I would love to go, but am carless. I've (I assume) along with many others on this forum have never stepped foot on the QoPR.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 15, 2009 13:51:25 GMT -8
Anyone want to car pool to get up there? I would love to go, but am carless. I've (I assume) along with many others on this forum have never stepped foot on the QoPR. Not me. The land-drive would be 2-3 days each way, or same total time to take the ferry. Too much time and too much expense for 1 short event. I missed the boat by not taking a QPR trip last summer or autumn, when I had the time.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 15, 2009 20:32:05 GMT -8
Will I be the only WCFF member attending this ceremony? I will take with me some QPR memorabilia originating from my Brother's David's collection. He was an original B watch crew member.
I will drive the 2.5 hours early Monday to get to Prince Rupert by 9 am and will be sure to bring back photos & videos.
Are there any special requests out there?
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 15, 2009 21:48:51 GMT -8
Some more items form the QPR's early days, just scanned from the DOT collection. Launching at VMD shipyard, Victoria - 1965 [BC Govt photo in DOT collection]. Note the Bowen class vessel under construction at right. Another 'Open Ship' photo from just before service commenced in May 1966 [BC Govt photo in DOT collection]. Magazine add promoting the virtues of Mirrlees engines.
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Post by Dane on Apr 15, 2009 22:09:23 GMT -8
Air fare seems to go up and down like Playland's Coaster. If I catch it on a down, I will go up. Lowest I saw recent was $129 (per direction, before taxes). If it goes there again I will attend.
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Mirrlees
Voyager
Bathtub!
Deck Engineer- Queen of Richmond
Posts: 1,013
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Post by Mirrlees on Apr 15, 2009 22:14:51 GMT -8
That ad is an awesome find, Wett Coast Kidd.! Thanks for sharing.
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Post by Esquimalt Queen on Apr 16, 2009 5:37:37 GMT -8
As much as I would love to make it to the QPR's decommisssioning, due to work and distance, I will not be able to attend. I've had the pleasure of enjoying two beautiful and exciting roundtrips on the Queen of Prince Rupert. When I look back on the QPR, I think of new found friends and fun experiences, ensconced with a warmth and sense of family, that only the QPR could provide. Are there any special requests out there? Do you have a camera with a video option? If you do, could you please make a video of the ceremony? For those of us who could not attend, we could live vicariously through you.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 16, 2009 12:33:26 GMT -8
From QCI Observer paper, online:
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