Deaths In The Family

The controversy that has dogged the colossal new Queen Mary 2 cruise liner turned to tragedy last week when a gangway to the vessel collapsed — plunging 13 people to their deaths and wounding 31 others, nine grievously. The victims included family members of construction workers on a visit to celebrate the completion of the 345-m-long, 72-m-high QM2. Thousands of naval enthusiasts have rushed to visit the world's-largest ship before it leaves the Saint Nazaire shipyard next month on its way to its Cunard Line owners in England.

The sea had been drained from the QM2's...