A Day with the Chief Engineer

It’s Global Day of the Engineer!

One of the highlights from when I worked aboard the Queen Mary was getting to spend a day with Chief Engineer Ronnie Keir of the Queen Victoria. It was January 2012, and Commodore Everette Hoard asked me to come along and take “lots of photos.” It was my day off but I couldn’t pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity! I was also researching and writing the Queen Mary’s engine room tour script (the forerunner to today’s Steam and Steel Tour) at the time, and knew that I’d get some truly invaluable information.

Looking back at these photos now, I think I might’ve done my job a little too well judging by some of the exasperated expressions I captured. But I also documented what was one of my favorite days aboard the Queen Mary, and these photos bring back so many happy memories (well, except for my very unfortunate moustache). These aren’t all of them…just some of my favorites. Given that today is the Global Day of the Engineer, it only felt appropriate to share my photos and recollections of that day 13 years ago.

Pride of the Clyde

Chief Ronnie was born in Dalmuir, part of Clydebank, Scotland. He apprenticed at the John Brown & Company shipyard in the 1960s, where he helped build the Queen Elizabeth 2’s turbines and gearboxes. He went to sea in 1972 and worked his way up through the engineering ranks and served aboard all different types of vessels: tankers, container ships, ferries, and other passenger ships. In January 2003, Ronnie joined the historic Cunard Line and was made Staff Chief Engineer aboard the QE2, a ship he’d last seen 35 years before in Clydebank. Later that year, he was appointed to the build team of Queen Mary 2.

By January 2012, Chief Ronnie was serving aboard Queen Victoria. The ship was in Los Angeles, and Commodore Everette invited him to the Queen Mary. They had met each other years before, and Everette had sat at the Chief Engineer’s Table many times with Ronnie presiding.

I joined Captain James and Chief Officer Greg in waiting at the hotel entrance, and we all saluted when Ronnie stepped out of Everette’s car. Smiling broadly, he thanked us and shook our hands graciously. He insisted that we call him Ronnie. All of us went up to the Promenade Café for a bite. I can’t remember what all we talked about, but I remember a lot of laughter and smiles. And Ronnie let me try on his cap too.

The Machine Spaces

The grand tour started after lunch. We walked through the modern hotel on our way to the After Engine Room. Everette and Ronnie led the way, with James and Greg close behind. I brought up the rear and snapped photos. As we got to the After Engine Room, it was pretty evident that Chief Ronnie was getting excited to check it out. So down we went into the bowels of the Queen Mary.

At the starting platform, Ronnie began explaining how everything worked. It was clear that he was in his element! I remember him inspecting all the dials, gauges, and controls with evident approval. Ronnie talked about some of the more unsavory jobs shipboard, like keeping the propeller shafts polished. He called them “character building” experiences.

Above Decks

After touring the machine spaces, our group ascended up to Promenade Deck. We took a detour into the Verandah Grill, where the Commodore’s vast knowledge was on full display. Everette talked about the room’s exquisite design, and how the music and dancing would go on till late in the evening. Not to mention how the aft mast ran right through the engineering officers’ quarters above, which caused sound and reverberations from below to keep them up while off duty. “Typical,” I recall Ronnie saying while shaking his head.

Greg had to leave us at this time to do the World War II Tour, so the rest of us continued on to the Chief Engineer’s Quarters. Ronnie beamed with delight as the Commodore opened the door — the room is inaccessible to the public — and ushered him inside. The Chief instantly started examining the old papers on the desk and pretended to sign them!

Next we went into the Captain’s Quarters. This area is also off limits to the public, which made stepping inside all the more special. Ronnie set his cap on the desk and made himself right at home. Sitting in the captain’s chair, the Commodore told him how Captain Chris Rynd had been the last one to sit there a few weeks ago.

“Ah, you had Ryndy aboard did ya?” Ronnie mused. He made a good natured joke at the Captain’s expense (which I shall not repeat).

Then it was up to the Bridge. We chatted there for a good while, where there were lots more smiles and laughs. Ronnie even took a turn ringing one of the engine telegraphs.

Then we posed for one last group photo outside. Our group then decided to head back to the passenger spaces.

End of the Day

After walking around for several hours, the four of us heading into the Observation Bar for refreshments. Ronnie had a beer while the rest of us had water, soda, or iced tea (company policy prevented any crewmembers from drinking alcohol aboard — even if off duty). We sat, relaxed, and chatted some more until the Chief had to get back to the Queen Victoria.

We made our way through Main Hall, where a few of our colleagues excitedly met Ronnie. He was funny and gracious as ever. I think that’s what I remember the most from that day: just how down-to-earth and hilarious Ronnie was.

Before he left, I asked Ronnie if I could send him a copy of the engine room tour script and get his feedback. He said he’d be happy to — and he was as good as his word. I still have his marked up copy of the script in my files somewhere. He said it was “really very good,” which absolutely made my day.

Sadly, Ronnie Keir passed away in March 2018 after a long illness. I was living in Washington, DC by that point and Everette reached out to let me know. It was quite sad to hear, and my mind instantly went back to that day aboard the Mary in 2012.

Ronnie may be gone, but he’s certainly not forgotten. I only met him that one time and he left such a strong, positive impression. And I know I’m not the only one either.

Thanks for everything, Ronnie! Happy Global Day of the Engineer.