This morning, I learned of the passing of Capt. Robin Woodall, former Captain with Cunard Line and Master of the Queen Elizabeth 2. He died after long illness.
Capt. Woodall started his career with Cunard in 1960 and is best known as a Master of the Queen Elizabeth 2 in the 80s and 90s. Many passengers and crew members remember him as a much-liked and highly respected Master of his ships. He was an imposing figure with an inspirational personality – pure Cunard! I am sure you will join me in sending sincerest condolences and warmest wishes to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard, his son, and Kate, his daughter-in-law.
On a personal note, I am very grateful for his support of the Cunard Queens blog; when asked he didn’t hesitate to take the time to search his archive and write a post about the QE2 Bomb Scare in 1972. You can read his recollection of the event here.
In the previous months Capt. Woodall was campaigning for the Liverpool Daily Post ‘Get on Board’ cruise petition to make Liverpool a turnaround port. If you wish to support the petition, see Daily Post’s special campaign mini-site here.
Godspeed you, Sir. May you rest in peace.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————-
LIVERPOOL DAILY POST, January 6, 2012
MERSEYSIDE’S most famous mariner, Capt Robin Woodall, is sounding the final siren call for readers to sign the Daily Post’s Get On Board cruise petition.
We want the Government to overturn EU restrictions on Liverpool Pier Head terminal which ban turnaround cruises (ie, starting and finishing) at the world famous landmark. The Daily Post’s Get On Board petition, already signed by more than 2,000 people and also backed by the Chancellor, George Osborne, MP, will be presented to the Government on Monday. It will be given in person at the Palace of Westminster to transport minister Mike Penning, MP, who is due to visit Merseyside soon. On his trip, Mr Penning will meet Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson, who is a keen advocate for removing the turnaround ban.
Capt Woodall brought the Cunard flagship QE2 into Liverpool in 1990, to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary.
I am backing the Daily Post’s Get On Board wholeheartedly, said Capt Woodall, of Hoylake.
It will bring shipping back to the Mersey in a way we have not seen for 40 years. Liverpool Cruise Terminal has proved that we can handle the biggest liners, like Queen Mary 2, on day visits.
The next logical step is to develop the port again as a major point of departure and return for cruises.
There is no point offering Langton Dock Terminal, as some cruise lines don’t want to go into the docks. Also, many cruise liners are too big to fit through Langton lock to reach that terminal.
This is why the new Cruise Terminal landing stage at Pier Head, the most famous place to get on a ship, must be permitted to handle turnarounds.
It is essential that we are allowed to develop again as the leading passenger port for northern England and Scotland.
Having cruise liners based in Liverpool will be good for Merseyside and the jobs it can bring.
These ships will need everything from replenishing stores to maintenance by Cammell Laird and a host of other engineering companies.
Capt Woodall started his seagoing career in Cunard cargo ships and switched to its passenger ships in 1960. He first served on RMS Sylvania, as junior third officer, on Liverpool –North America services.
It would be fantastic to see a Cunard liner leave Liverpool Pier Head once more on a transatlantic crossing. But that won’t happen unless this Daily Post campaign succeeds, which is why I’m giving it my fullest support, he said.
RIP Captain Robin Woodall it was a pleasure to have been a crew member and to be part of the QE2 as a Silver Service Waiter Nov 93-April 95. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
So sorry to hear of is his passing. He was a wonderful Captain with whom I enjoyed many voyages between 1991 and 1995. He always had an ear for his passengers. May he rest in peace. My condolences to the family.
I always enjoyed my voyages on QE2 with Captain Woodall. I was sorry today to hear of his passing. A highlight was back in 1990 when I was lucky enough to be on the 150th anniversary voyage around Britain. This was QE2’s first visit to Liverpool and we opened the new port in Ireland! Captain Woodall was such a memorable guy. All the best to his family at this sad time!
QE2 have a big place in my heart and souvenir and Capt Robin Woodall a big place in all the familly souvenir
my brother have meet is wife on QE2 capt Woodall was there!
itsh time my grand parents when on a cruise capt Woodall was there !!
i joigne the QE2 for the japanese Charter and for the wonderfull 150th anniversary cruise Capt woodall was the master of the ship, that for me in my life there was only one Capt and what a Capt for the QE2 that was Robin Woodall he was a great Captain and just a great man for the ship !! the crews and is familly i well never forget him thank you ROBIN for all this wonderfull souvenir !!!
JEAN PIERRE
My 1st time back on QE2 in many years, 1991, I was placed at the Captain’s table. I think this is the one where I was given a table then after 1st dinner embarassed Matre’D came up and said tomorrow we should have you at the Captain’s table. Would that be alright? Capt and Mrs Woodall were great hosts.
Captain Robin Woodall was the Patron of the Mersey Light Vessel Preservation Society when we were trying to buy the Planet as a Memory to the Merchant Navy. When we were unsuccessfull he helped us with our Merchant Navy Museum at Fort Perch Rock and opened our Wireless Room. He was as passionate about the Merchant Navy and would always offer advice when ever it was sort.
He is a great loss to Merseyside and will always be remembered by the old team from the Planet and the team at Fort Perch Rock. We will be having a minutes silence for him tomorrow at the Fort and fire a salute.
Farewell and safe sailing from now on.
Stan McNally and all the team
Capt. Robin Woodall was a fine Captain who had the respect of passengers and crew. I had the pleasure of dining at his table on the occasion of one of my transatlantic crossing. He and his wife Eileen were the most charming hosts. The voyage is a memory to treasure! Rest in peace!
Thanks Robin for a wonderful experince – truly the most memorable thing i have had in my life to date. For that i am truly grateful. RIP. Nick Pagett
I sailed under the command of Captain Woodall for many years. His professional skills and wisdom held me in good stead throughout my career. Thank you Sir.
I had the honor to serve under Capaint Woodall, during my time as a hotel officer aboard QE 2 – he will be missed!
I and my family were fortunate to sail on the 150th aniversary voyage around Britain and stayed aboard to New York. Captain Woodall was a gentleman in the finest traditions of the Merchant Navy.