A New Queen arrives, an old Frigate dies - Ships new and old

The Queen Mary 2 arrived in Auckland today and sails tonight. Pity due to it’s size it had to berth amongst the containers but that didn’t stop thousands, including me, going to have a look. It’s not...

Robin Capper

17 Feb 2007 — 2 min read

The Queen Mary 2 arrived in Auckland today and sails again tonight. Pity, due to it’s size, it had to berth amongst the containers but that didn’t stop thousands, including me, going to have a look. It’s not unusual for large liners to visit, we’ve had 3 this week, but the QM2’s visit was special.

Thousands witness QM2's arrival - NZ Herald
The giant Queen Mary 2, one of the world's largest passenger ships and the largest ship to visit Auckland, glided up Rangitoto Channel this morning with a fleet of welcoming small craft.

Thousands witness QM2's arrival - NZ Herald
The giant Queen Mary 2, one of the world's largest passenger ships and the largest ship to visit Auckland, glided up Rangitoto Channel this morning with a fleet of welcoming small craft.

QM2's NZ-Born Captain 'Proud' Of Welcome
The New Zealand-born captain of the Queen Mary 2, one of the world's largest passenger ships and the largest ship to visit Auckland, says he was "immensely proud" of the welcome the ocean liner received as it arrived in Auckland.

QM2's NZ-Born Captain 'Proud' Of Welcome

The New Zealand-born captain of the Queen Mary 2, one of the world's largest passenger ships and the largest ship to visit Auckland, says he was "immensely proud" of the welcome the ocean liner received as it arrived in Auckland.

At the other end of the ship life-cycle, while cycling on Waitangi Day, I took this photo of the RNZN Frigate Canterbury. It is being prepared for sinking, to form a reef, in the Bay of Islands.