AHOY: Timings of Three Queens visit to Liverpool

LIVERPOOL is to stage a riverdance in front of a million-strong audience - involving three of the best known ships in the world.

The stunning routine will be performed on the Mersey this Spring Bank Holiday as the liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth celebrate shipping line Cunard’s 175th anniversary in the city in which it was born.

Details of the three-day programme of celebrations on the Mersey were announced today in Liverpool by Cunard.

The captains of the three liners, as well as the River Mersey’s own pilots, have spent months on simulators rehearsing the routines that will be performed when all three Cunarders sail in formation into the river on May 25.

The event, the ‘Three Queens Salute to Liverpool’ has taken four years of planning.

Cunard Director Angus Struthers said: “Liverpool, Great Britain and the world will witness an event the like of which has never been seen before on the Mersey.  And perhaps an event the like of which will never be seen again.

“When you think of previous visits by just one of our current ships, and the majestic sight that is, just imagine what three great Cunard Queens toge

“Liverpool, Great Britain and the world will witness an event the like of which has never been seen before on the Mersey.  And perhaps an event the like of which will never be seen again

ther will look like.  The three largest Cunard ships ever built, together, here in our 'spiritual home' of Liverpool.

“When the very first Cunarder. Britannia left Liverpool for North America on that first crossing on 4 July 1840 she changed the face of ocean travel forever, which is why Cunard is proud to celebrate 175 years of uninterrupted service.”

The build-up begins on Sunday 24 May when Queen Mary 2 - Cunard’s flagship and the biggest passenger ship ever to sail up the Mersey - sails into Liverpool, berthing at the cruise terminal at the Pier Head, the first time she has stayed overnight in Liverpool.

On May 25 the fleet formation will begin near Crosby beach and will align in the river to salute the Cunard Building, Cunard’s headquarters for nearly 50 years until 1967.

The three ships will execute synchronised turns to starboard, so that the bows of all three ships will be seen against the backdrop of Liverpool’s famous water front.

“Should weather conditions be favourable on the day, further river dance manoeuvres will be performed by the three ships for the delight of the one million spectators expected to attend on the day, “ added  Struthers.

“We believe having three Queens together on the Mersey will be an extraordinary day for Cunard and for Liverpool. All of us at Cunard are excited and we know Liverpool is excited. It will be great few days of maritime history being made and a few days that will be talked about in a hundred year’s time.”

The river and the riverfront will be alive with flotillas, fireworks, sirens and a real party atmosphere, with crowds lining the banks of the river from Formby Point to King’s Dock.