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Ian sails QE2 on its final voyage
BON voyage.
A Wearside sailor made history when he sailed the QE2 on its last ever journey.
Captain Ian McNaught, from Washington, was at the helm of the famous ship when it set out from Southampton on its final voyage, after running aground just hours earlier during torrential weather.
Before they set sail, Captain McNaught accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh on a tour of the vessel to meet the crew and passengers.
Then, with hundreds of passengers waving from the decks and thousands watching from the shores of Southampton Water, the 70,000-tonne Cunard liner headed off into maritime history with fireworks flashing.
Captain McNaught told the crowd the QE2 had been "a symbol of British excellence for 40 years".
The last journey will take the ship on a 16-day voyage to Dubai where it has been sold to the Dubai World Company for about 50million, to become a floating hotel.
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
