Construction of Queen Elizabeth Begins

Last week, a ceremony to mark the keel laying of Cunard Line's new Queen Elizabeth was held at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy. The second largest Cunarder ever built, Queen Elizabeth's keel is the third Cunard has lain in the space of seven years. When she enters service in October 2010, she will join Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in the Cunard fleet.

The keel laying involves the placement in the dry dock of the first section of the ship's hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 364 tons and is fitted with 104 tons of pipes, cables, insulation and other equipment.

The ceremony followed an intensive period of design and development. Fifty-three sections will be used in the construction of Queen Elizabeth and she will take to the water for the first time at her float out in December.
Construction of Queen Elizabeth Begins

Queen Elizabeth Keel Laying Photo Courtesy of Cunard Line