www.maritimematters.com/queenmary2-memory-az.html -
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Last Visited: 8/22/2009
I had the good fortune to meet Stephen Payne when he was enjoying some quality down- time as a passenger aboard the QE2 in July 1996.
Looking more like a vacationing accountant than the premiere ocean liner designer he already was, I found him to be a wonderfully entertaining and engaging fellow.
Sailing again with him on the QE2 in 1999 after the announcement of Carnival's QUEEN MARY project, I had the opportunity, along with many others, to pepper Stephen with questions and of course, recommendations, about the new ship.
He also gave us some insight to the early plans of the ship, maintaining the necessary confidentiality that such a project would demand.
It was a marvelous opportunity.
Not only was he incredibly enthusiastic that his employers would support his recommendations, but he also assured us that he was going to - in fact - design a transatlantic liner and NOT a cruise ship!
"Yeah, right", we all snickered cynically under our breath.
"Everyone knows there won't be another transatlantic liner.
"There's no money in it.
Stephen would appear from time to time in New York.
At one talk held at the South Street Seaport, before the keel had even been laid, he provided additional details: the ship would have pods, not fixed props, she would offer the necessary verandahs demanded by today's cruisers.
"Verandahs, on the North Atlantic?
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During daytime, in the choppy seas we encountered in the Bay of Biscay, crossing seas broke against these windows, worrying those that hadn't benefited from Stephen Payne's assurances of their strength.
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Stephen Payne appeared and smiling, he asked if he might join me on my little "perch".
Always room for more, I responded.
So began a couple of hours spent with, and really a high point of the voyage for me, the fellow that designed the darn thing!
As I've mentioned in previous installments, I've known Stephen for several years and we're both very comfortable dispatching with any scripted conversation.
I'd say our talk here was very much along the lines of two guys just hanging out, enjoying the Maiden Voyage, and really quite candid in content.
I needled him a bit about the Blue Peter and did he really still wear the one he had been sent so many years before, writing in the to BBC program of the same name.
Well, he happened to be wearing it and as Stephen proudly showed it off.
I got a nice close up of his prized and sentimental pin!
We stood and took in the sensational fireworks show - truly a professional exhibit.
After a bit we decided to retire to the Commodore Club for a drink and here is where the conversation turned from casual to serious - I was determined to learn from the man, and he was very forthcoming.
He exhibits very little "ego".
I asked how he had kept it in check given the incredible scope of this accomplishment and he said that there were so many involved that it was impossible to develop a swelled head.
I did ask if his parents were "enjoying this", were they getting some mileage out of it back home?
With a smile on his lips, he assured me they were.
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"No," Stephen corrected me. "All ROTTERDAM.
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OCEANIC & EUGENIO C. are represented too, according to Stephen.
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I had the opportunity to talk ships with Stephen Payne.
At our leisure.
A rare opportunity.
Soon, the three of us, the lights of Santa Cruz de Tenerife disappearing at the stern, took a walk around 7 deck.
Stephen led of course, pointing out other subtle things about "his ship" (my words, not his).
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Stephen Payne's resurrection of ROTTERDAM V's First Class wraparound Upper Promenade Deck was the social center for all outdoor activities.
Protected forward through the base of the superstructure the two door access emulates ROTTERDAM's forward section to her Propeller "Park", six spare blades still emblazoned with her G32 hull number from St. Nazaire, each protected with little teak railings.
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So did Stephen Payne.
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It was signed by Stephen Payne, Commodore Warwick, and Mr. Scutt.
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Tom asked Stephen Payne, forever trying to duck the limelight, to come forward and thoroughly embarrassed "our" Ben to come forward also, noting the historical significance that Ben was, again, the first American officer ever to serve on a Cunard Liner.
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At 11:00am Stephen Payne finally emerged from his anonymous profile and presented himself front and center to the entire ship.
His superbly slide-illustrated seminar entitled "Genesis of a Queen" packed the amphitheatre to the gunwales and he beguiled us all with a fascinating review of the creation of "his ship."
He started where Stephen always starts - when he was a child and his Blue Peter story.
Phenomenal it is that this fellow actually realized the dream so many of us aspire to and never achieve.
Using a vivid collection of videos and his superb oratory skills, Stephen recreated the entire process, from sketch to reality, the creation of today's modern transatlantic liner, the QUEEN MARY 2.
Illuminations was hushed, everyone hanging on every word, every description.
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I ran into Stephen Payne in front of the Deck 3 elevators aft outside of Britannia.
Realizing in all probability this would be my last meeting with him on this voyage I asked him to favor me with his autograph by his name in the Maiden Voyage Passenger list we had been presented with that afternoon.
He most graciously complied.
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