One of the QE2's anchors will go on display as part of the 'QE2 Mile' on Southampton's High Street. On 27 November 2008, the day Cunard officially handed over the QE2 to her new owners Nakheel in Dubai, a ceremony took place in Southampton to mark the hand-over of the QE2's spare anchor from Cunard to the City of Southampton. John Duffy, the QE2's Hotel Manager, received the anchor on the behalf of the city.
After nearly two years of deliberation, and subject to final approval by council, the anchor will be installed outside Holy Rood Church on the 'QE2 Mile'. The QE2 Mile, linking Southampton's Cenotaph to the waterfront Town Quay, forms a trail of the historic city and includes the Titanic Engineer's Memorial and Holy Rood Church. From Bargate, in the centre of the city down to the waterfront, eleven plaques set in the pavement mark key events in the city's history.
Holy Rood Church was bombed during the Second World War and is now a memorial to the Merchant Navy. The church houses a memorial to the Titanic's firemen, sailors and stewards. Each of QE2's anchor - attached to a 1,080 foot long anchor chain - weighs 12½ tonnes.
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