Following the wreath-laying event during its 175th Anniversary celebrations Cunard determined to help restore the Susan Cunard headstone in Halifax’s Old Burying Ground. In the months that followed and through the efforts of Heather Lawson, stone mason and conservator, the headstone was refurbished in time for a return visit to the OBG by QM2 Captain Oprey on September 10th. Samuel Cunard who lies an ‘ocean apart’ in Brompton Cemetery, London, England would have been proud.

The QM2 completed the transatlantic portion of her Commemorative crossing upon arrival in Halifax, Cunard’s ‘Ancestral home’ on July 10th. A full day of carefully planned historic events ensued both aboard ship and ashore. It was a memorable day from early morning arrival in the sunshine until evening sunset and a grand departure from Halifax harbor with naval escort, shire based brass bands and crowds of onlookers. During the day three major events took place, all of which served to focus attention and commemorate the rich history of Cunard line and its deep roots in Nova Scotia.

The first of these was a large gathering ashore to dedicate a section of the Halifax waterfront to the memory of Samuel Cunard, the ‘Steam Lion’ and founder of Cunard Line. Henceforth, a prominent section of the waterfront near the cruise terminal shall be known as ‘Cunard Quay’ and soon to become part of a large public-private development initiative around this site.

At noon an invitation only reception and luncheon was held aboard QM2 – the First Annual Samuel Cunard Prize event to honour a recipient who best exemplifies the entrepreneurial genius of Samuel Cunard. The first recipient of the prize for ‘vision, courage & creativity’, a beautiful piece of crystal crafted by Nova Scotian Crystal – was James Irving, President of Irving Shipyards.

Later in the afternoon Captain Oprey, accompanied by Cunard executives attended the Old Burying Ground to lay a wreath on the gravesite of Susan Cunard, widow of Sir Samuel. This was followed by the opening of a new exhibit honouring Samuel Cunard at the Maritime Museum of the Altantic officially opened by N.S. Tourism Minister Tony Ince, N.A. President of Cunard Line Richard Meadows and the author.

Accompanied by my wife, Judith, we had the singular honour to be amongst those other special guests and passengers aboard QM2 on this historic crossing intended to replicate the inaugural crossing of Cunard’s first flagship, RMS Britannia from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston in July 1840. It was most fitting that in collaboration with the artist Robert Lloyd his rendition of Britannia Maiden Voyage was carried aboard, formally unveiled and displayed in the Grand Lobby of QM2 during this commemorative crossing. It was a most extraordinary voyage, steeped in history and highlighted by special 175th Anniversary events in the five homeports of call…starting in Southampton, and followed by Liverpool, Halifax, Boston and New York. From commencement of the voyage in Southampton July 2nd until the conclusion in New York on July 15th it was a voyage befitting the memory of founder Samuel Cunard.

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As a Cunard collector, historian and chairman of the Cunard Steamship Society it has long been a goal of mine to commission a painting depicting the birth of Cunard Line in 1840. Time and circumstance eventually brought me together with the renowned marine artist Robert Lloyd. For almost two years we would collaborate on this painting and the result was ‘Maiden Voyage’ – a beautiful rendition of RMS Britannia in Halifax, Nova Scotia July 17, 1840 following her maiden crossing from Liverpool England, and thus giving birth to Cunard Line as we know it today.

Halifax, Cunard’s ‘ancestral home’ prepares to celebrate

Planning for events to mark 175 years of Cunard history began in earnest with CSS Chairman undertaking to spearhead event planning Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of the five home ports along with Southampton, Liverpool, Boston and New York chosen as major venues for celebratory events in 2015.
Throughout the year many meetings were arranged with various ‘partners’ which in turn produced a vibrant, committed core group to plan and ultimately implement events on the Halifax waterfront to celebrate the 175th anniversary when QM2 was to be in port July 10, 2015.
The principal participants who worked together with Cunard Line on this initiative included the City of Halifax, Waterfront Development Corporation, Halifax Port Authority, Canadian Navy and Southwest Properties.

Late in October the author had an opportunity at the behest of Cunard UK to host Theresa Machan, Cruise Editor of The Telegraph while visiting Halifax with her husband Stephen aboard QM2. Not one, but two Langley’s helped provide a maritime welcome to Cunard’s birthplace…son Adam, who is Operations Manager for the Waterfront Development Corporation graciously provided an annotated on water tour of Halifax harbour to our British guests.

While QM2 was in port John and wife Judith had the good fortune and pleasure to meet up with a dear friend, and the ultimate ‘Captain’s Secretary’ – Christel Hansen. The time was short but catch-up on family and friends very special. Our meeting very appropriately took place in ‘Sir Samuel’s aboard QM2 following the customary acknowledgement of the founder’s portrait on display in the lobby just outside the lounge.

In response to a request from Cunard UK the author hosted Mike Pearse, transportation reporter with ITV News UK and filming of the arrival of QM2 in Halifax July 2, 2013. The roof garden of Halifax Seaport provided the ideal venue to capture QM2 on film as she came alongside the seawall. A tour about Cunard’s hometown was followed by more filming at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to gather material in preparation for the 175th Anniversary celebrations planned for 2015.