TOGETHER they embody decades of Southampton's heritage, rekindling memories of past glories and looking ahead to a new era in maritime history.

In reality, of course, due to the timing of their service the four great Cunarders were never able to all meet up, but now the Daily Echo has commissioned a unique painting to bring the legendary liners together as Queens of the Atlantic.

Now local people, shipping enthusiasts and collectors are able to purchase a limited edition print of this painting.

The former Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, together with the present day Queen Elizabeth 2 and the new Queen Mary 2, sail across a canvas sea with Southampton and New York, highlighting their traditional Atlantic route, in the background.

Also featured is one of the flying boats that at one time were based in the city's docks and took off and landed on Southampton Water, while the powerful tug Redbridge is an image from the port as it is today.

The painting was produced by the Daily Echo to mark QM2's historic entry into service on the Atlantic and the end of QE2 as Cunard's scheduled carrier on the route.

Last Saturday thousands of people crowded the shoreline of Southampton Water to see the two liners together in port for the first time. In a poignant ceremony, the ornate silver Boston Cup, which traditionally sails with the shipping line's flagship, was passed from QE2 to QM2.

QE2 is now undergoing a refit in Germany before returning to the port later this month to begin her new role as a dedicated cruise ship.

It was 37 years ago that two Cunard Queen liners were last together in Southampton docks when the previous Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were berthed in 1967.

The original Queen Mary is now retired in California and has become a tourist attraction, conference centre and hotel, while Queen Elizabeth was destroyed in January, 1972 when a suspicious fire swept through her decks after she was converted to a floating university in Hong Kong.

The new painting is the work of Hampshire artist John Saunders, from Petersfield, who has previosuly worked on commissions from the motor sport industry and a montage of Southampton FC players.

For more information about the Queens of the Atlantic prints telephone 023 8042 4722 or click the QM2 link on the left of this page.