how many times , during this period , did he imagine the scenario of sailing into new york harbour aboard the luxurious surroundings of the qe2 , catching a first homecoming glimpse of his native city from his position on the uppermost deck , his wheelchair parked alongside the guard rail , seeing his visionary structure rising above the endless horizon , the first indication that the motherland was close at hand , and then watching as the great ship , guided by the new beacons pull , gradually approached closer , until the familiar skyline dissembled into all its separate elements , of which the wendelson building would remain the most distinctive and recognisable piece of all .