|
|
Post by gordon on Apr 22, 2009 7:09:11 GMT -8
The Nor Ad is a larger heavier ship that the QPR is (gross Displacement is 2000 tons more so she will likely use more fuel per km traveled than the Queen pf Prince Rupert.
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager 
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,887 
|
Post by Mill Bay on Apr 22, 2009 9:06:15 GMT -8
Apparently they have a lead on a boat that is new, or actually still under construction, that will replace the Chilliwack, and maybe become the main boat during the slow months. This I heard from someone very senior in the BCFS organization. The best news is that this boat is available 'cheep'. BCFS is now in a buyer's market. Stephen Poole had mentioned the fact that they had plans for the building of the Northern Discovery, and they even knew fairly specifically the specs they wanted: something roughly identical to the QPR, at least in vessel particulars... He stated 3800 tons although some specs approximate the QPR's tonnage to about 5800 tons. Similar accommodations as far as crew, passenger and vehicle numbers. A slightly wider beam to alleviate the problem of very narrow lanes on the cardeck. Bow and stern loading, adequate maneuverability, an extra capstan at the stern for ease of warping the ship into the berths. I just hope cheep doesn't mean what it usually means: ie:. dollar store plastic and/or the Norad. I assume they are wise enough not to end up with another Norad. The problem is with accepting a ship built to someone else's standards and hope it will work for you. It's also odd the BCFerries is in a buyers market... they certainly didn't get the money from selling the V's and the QPR (or maybe they did). Also, that they have considered bow modifications for the Norad and that it is possible. I wonder about that, but I doubt the costs are in reason for such a project. Or would adding bow doors come out something like this: doverferryphotos.co.uk/images/prov9.jpgdoverferryphotos.co.uk/images/PROV026.jpgOr stretching the Norad. I thought modern shipbuilding was too precise and carefully thought out these days (which just means too many computers and not enough eyeballs on the plans) as opposed to the rather 'simple' design of the V's which permitted stretching and lifting with no real adverse affects on stability or the ship's structure. Could they do such a thing to the Norad without compromising what stability she has...? On the other hand, there have been some some historical cases where adding length to a ship actually remedied problems of poor stability, so maybe it is something they should really consider doing. But, while they are at it, once they've increased the length of the ship, maybe they can at least add some more variety to the interior spaces as they will be increased as well, as well as insert some more windows facing forward, which should be very simple to do compared to stretching the ship, just as long as they cut the windows only in the actual steal plating and don't cut through any actual structural members, and then add strengthening as necessary to avoid any weak spots. |
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Apr 22, 2009 13:53:50 GMT -8
Truly a fantastic job done by all forum members who have contributed to this and other QPR related threads. All the stories, all the pictures and video, no matter what each 'author' may think of his or her contribution becomes part of a timeless collection of memorabilia that will endure in one form or another for years to come.
I am heading out to Deas this afternoon to get some final shots of the QPR and will add them to the overall collection.
I went out last evening and got some shots of the Queen of Vancouver who was still flying the Provincial and House flags and had intended to return to capture some video of the QPR coming up the river and into Deas but as she hadn't shown up at Tsawwassen by 21:30 figured lighting would be a problem so decided today would have to suffice.
Thanks Carl for the 'play by play' enroute down and the funny story about the rations and the Engineer missing the boat at Tsawwassen. All those stories just add to the flavour of a spectacular send-off of this grand vessel!
|
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Apr 22, 2009 19:45:56 GMT -8
StarSteward: I have had a look at your photo site. You have some very interesting photos from the early days there. I like this one: i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/StarSteward/img018.jpgIt shows, amongst other things, a green jacketed 'Tourist Councillor'. The younger people on the forum may have never heard of such. Back in the 60's and early 70's Tourist Councillors were on board many of the ferries during the summer period. Students got summer jobs and tourists got told 'where to go'. Regarding your pics of the 3-boat ceremony in Prince Rupert on Sunday, Apr. 19th - were you there? If not, I am assuming that someone sent you the pics. Again, another interesting perspective on the ceremony. |
|
pscurr
Chief Steward
Posts: 204
|
Post by pscurr on Apr 22, 2009 21:24:36 GMT -8
and on Tues/Wed/Thurs during summer when the fare was only a dollar the line up for the ticket booth could extend to the end of the Tsawwassen causeway....
|
|
|
|
Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 23, 2009 6:35:35 GMT -8
I won't go into detail because people are probably tired of me talking about this. But the table service in the upper aft restaurant was great. Some of the older ferries still had the counter as well with the tables down the sides. As a kid I thought the counter was cool. Later the counter was removed, and stand alone tables were throughout.
|
|
D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
|
Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 23, 2009 8:23:05 GMT -8
|
|
mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
|
Post by mrdot on Apr 24, 2009 11:37:46 GMT -8
Here is my first post.  WAC Bennett (proud as a peacock) & Monty Aldous with QPR model - 1965 - Jim Ryan photo (The Colonist) |
|
|
|
Post by Balfour on Apr 24, 2009 14:18:57 GMT -8
Awesome picture!
The model looks longer than she really is.
I understand that the QPR was supposed to be built about 80 feet longer, so is this the model as she was supposed to be, or is this the model of her after construction?
|
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Apr 25, 2009 10:00:37 GMT -8
You are correct there Coastal, and OMG. it looks as if the model IS the of the expanded size.
WOW!
|
|
|
|
Post by Starsteward on Apr 25, 2009 10:16:50 GMT -8
Thanks for the message there WCK, I'm still working on a slew of pictures I have yet to post but hope to get it done soon. I've actually got some shots from 1965 of a couple of the ships on route 2, that I'm going to post soon. They will give some folks a real 'glimpse from the past' but I won't give away the secret just yet.  No, unfortunately I wasn't at the ceremony, as I had been up at the end of March, beginning of April for what WAS supposed to be the last round trip of the QPR, but had a nostalgic, 'moment-filled' few days on the trip to Rupert and one over to Skidegate. My early pictures do reflect an era when 'times were different, ie service delivery, types of staff, modes of dress etc. ( Yes kids, things were lots of fun in the pre-union days when the Master, and the Chief Steward were akin to God and J.C. personified. No shop steward to protect you from the whimsy of the tyrannical Chief Steward when one was starting off as a lowly 'Busboy' but one learned quickly or you were cast adrift. Yes, Mr. Keenlyside, weren't those green jackets lovely? Kind of reminds one of an airline stewardess. All in all, the gals were fun and helpful and yes it was fun telling woefully mis-informed tourists where to go! |
|
|
|
Post by Ferryman on Apr 26, 2009 20:24:51 GMT -8
This photo isn't mine, but it's an internet favourite of mine. I can't for the life of me find the link it originated from, nor credit the photographer. However I feel this photo is worthy of being posted here. Kudos to the photographer.  |
|
|
|
Post by Canucks on Apr 26, 2009 20:31:20 GMT -8
Wow! That is a neat picture, the QotN must have been waiting to be slugged.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coastal Canuck on Apr 26, 2009 20:46:03 GMT -8
um where is the picture taken  |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 26, 2009 21:02:03 GMT -8
um where is the picture taken Fairview terminal at Prince Rupert. That's where they are normally docked stern-to. I'm not sure if the QPR is in the AMHS dock, or just in a tie-up beside the BCFS dock. |
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Apr 26, 2009 21:41:17 GMT -8
This photo was taken in the summer of 2003. The QPR was not in the Alaska dock. She was waiting for the QotN to depart for Port Hardy so that she could get in and take on passengers & cars for Haida Gwaii.
|
|
D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
|
Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 27, 2009 4:29:45 GMT -8
|
|
D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
Posts: 1,671
|
Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 28, 2009 8:02:29 GMT -8
|
|
pscurr
Chief Steward
Posts: 204
|
Post by pscurr on Apr 30, 2009 10:17:04 GMT -8
summer of 66  |
|
Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,305
|
Post by Neil on May 1, 2009 22:11:06 GMT -8
Watching the video that I thought Retro posted somewhere earlier today, and listening to the baleful sound of the three northern vessels' horns sounding in concert, I had to wonder who took the initiative to put this rather remarkable commemorative formation together. It seemed a little too- how shall I say- respectful of tradition, and of BC Ferries' history, to have been the brainchild of the bottom line denizens of Fort Street, especially if, as suggested, there was a space left for the departed Queen of The North.
Maybe the crews who actually serve on the north coast put it together. Or maybe I'm being too cynical, and the folks in head office actually do have some reverence for some nautical tradition, once in a while.
|
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 1, 2009 22:26:51 GMT -8
Watching the video that I thoughtI had to wonder who took the initiative to put this rather remarkable commemorative formation together. Steve Poole was the individual who organized the event. He is the Marine Superintendent for the North Coast. |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on May 2, 2009 6:20:09 GMT -8
Does anyone have any ideas on why Retro or someone else deleted that post that contained the video?
I haven't seen it yet, maybe I missed my 1-day window?
|
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on May 2, 2009 6:41:33 GMT -8
Would that be the video of the bell ringing in Reply 61?
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on May 2, 2009 8:16:00 GMT -8
Would that be the video of the bell ringing in Reply 61? I never had a chance to view Retro's posted video (from May 1st) so I don't know if it's the same as the bell ringing. More Retro intrigue and mystery, caused by posts in the dark of the night.... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 2, 2009 8:44:53 GMT -8
That's odd...  All his videos should be on his Flickr page located here. |
|
