By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line is to mark the 175th anniversary of its first scheduled transatlantic crossing with two separate events in its ‘spiritual’ home of Liverpool, UK in 2015.
On 25 May, the line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 (QM2) will be joined by sister ships Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria on the Mersey, marking the first time all three vessels have been in the same port simultaneously. The three ships will be close to the famous Cunard Building on the Pier Head, which served as Cunard’s headquarters from 1917 to 1967.
“To have the three Cunard Queens back in their spiritual home on our beautiful waterfront will be nothing short of majestic,” said Joe Anderson, the city’s mayor. “This will be an unmissable spectacle, which will attract worldwide attention and draw massive crowds. It is particularly fitting given our plans to bring the Cunard Building back into use as a cruise liner terminal. Liverpool is once again making its mark as a great maritime destination.”
QM2 will return to Liverpool to offer a ten-night voyage to the US, calling at Halifax, Boston and New York. Departing on 4 July, the cruise will replicate Britannia’s maiden transatlantic voyage, which took place on 4 July 1840. The occasion will also mark the first time passengers have been able to board a Cunard ship in Liverpool and sail to the US for more than 50 years.
“Liverpool is the spiritual home of Cunard - until 1967 the company was based in Liverpool, and it was from Liverpool that Cunard's first transatlantic crossing was made,” said Angus Struthers, Cunard director. “We are therefore delighted to celebrate our 175th anniversary in 2015 with two historic events in Liverpool: a meeting of our fleet of Queens on the Mersey in May 2015 and a repeat of the original transatlantic crossing to Halifax and Boston on 4 July 2015.”