THE designer of the largest liner ever built is dedicating it to the teacher who encouraged him to follow his dreams.

Stephen Payne, 43, of Marvels Lane, Grove Park, will place a plaque in memory of his physics teacher, behind the steering room of Queen Mary 2.

The memory of Catford Boys' School physics lecturer Justin Johnson will

travel for the expected minimum 40-year life of the largest, most-expensive liner ever built.

Designer, director and project manager Mr Payne was hoping his former secondary school teacher, who lived in Burnt Ash Hill, would be with him on the maiden voyage of the ship from Southampton, on December 12.

But Mr Johnson died of prostate cancer, aged 54, on March 31, before she had finished being built in Sainte-Nazaire, France.

Mr Payne first got hooked on ships when he was taken to the Cutty Sark, in Greenwich, when he was seven years old.

As he went through school his fascination grew, but his teachers told him his dreams were just fantasy. At university he dropped out of a chemistry degree and was unable to progress in his chosen career.

It was at this time Mr Johnson, who he had stayed in

contact with Mr Payne since school, told him he should pursue a degree in naval architecture.

Mr Johnson convinced Lewisham Council to give Mr Payne a second grant to go to Southampton University.

Mr Payne said: "Without doubt, through me QM2 owes her very existence to Justin and it is sad that he will not be there to welcome her to Southampton on the occasion of her maiden arrival."

Mr Payne, who now works for shipping company Carnival, has designed more than 25 ships in his career and is now one of the top designers in the business

Work started on QM2 on November 6, 2000 and will be completed in early December.

Mr Johnson was cremated at Lewisham Crematorium, on April 17.

April 29, 2003 09:30