Oops! Cunard's QE2 runs aground on final cruise

[mercedes]

Cunard's legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 ran aground near Southampton, England this morning on its way to ceremonies marking its final cruise after four decades of service.

Southampton's Daily Echo, a sister paper to USA TODAY, reports the historic ocean liner was caught by the wind and blown onto a sandbar near the port town, though it wasn't stuck for long.

The Gannett-owned Daily Echo says tug boats pulled the QE2 off the bank quickly, and the ship only was a half hour late for planned farewell celebrations. The paper says the QE2 doesn't appear to be damaged, and no one was injured in the mishap.

The UK's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, presided over the ceremonies, which included a fly-over by a Royal Air Force Harrier jet that dropped her nose as a mark of respect.

The QE2 also was showered by a million poppy petals to acknowledge her time as a troopship during the Falkland Islands war in 1982 and also to mark her departure on Veterans Day.

The aging vessel is scheduled to set sail for her final voyage this evening at 7:15 PM GMT. After gliding away from her traditional berth in Southampton's Eastern Docks, she'll hover just off the port town's Mayflower Park to serve as a backdrop for a fireworks display.

The QE2 is heading to Dubai, where she'll be turned into a floating hotel and museum.

Launched in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II, the QE2 has carried more than 2.5 million passengers and is the longest-serving ship in Cunard history.