Personnel Reunite for Collision Memorial Service (Australia)

Forty-five years after the USS Frank E Evans collided with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (II) in the South China Sea, personnel who served on the night have reunited for a memorial service in Sydney.

Survivors, friends and families reflected on the 74 American personnel who were killed when the USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbourne’s bow and was cut in two during a training exercise.

Acting Commander of the Australian Fleet, Commodore Jonathan Mead, Director at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs NSW and ACT, Mr Effie Cauchi, and Consul of the US Consulate, Scott Simpson joined the 58 ex-Melbourne personnel and the 2 American sailors for the service.

The Commanding Officer of Melbourne, Captain John Stevenson, who was on the bridge and took urgent action to try and avoid the collision also attended the reunion.

Organiser of the reunion, Rear Admiral Tony Horton (Rtd), who was the navigating officer in Melbourne at the time of the accident, said 3 June 1969 was an extraordinary and a very sad day.

“Initially there was almost disbelief that the collision had occurred and that there would clearly be a significant loss of life,” Rear Admiral Horton (Rtd) said.

“As the morning progressed, Melbourne personnel were swift to respond and played an important role in the recovery of the 199 US survivors. This established the strong bonds between officers and sailors involved in the collision, which continue today.”

“This reunion is again a reminder of the loss of 74 fine people. It is an opportunity to remember them, to remember the survivors and to acknowledge the sterling efforts of many to save lives,” Rear Admiral Horton (Rtd) said.

“Periodic reunions have helped to maintain our strong bonds and have provided us with a wonderful opportunity to renew acquaintances with old shipmates.”

“We have also remain bonded as we understand first hand that life at sea, particularly in the naval environment, can be fraught with many challenges and possible dangers,” Rear Admiral Horton said.

Melbourne was one of 40 ships from six nations taking part in Exercise SEA SPIRIT, when in the early hours of 3 Jun 1969, the USS Frank E Evans was ordered to change position.

The USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbourne’s bow and was cut in two. The forward section of the Frank E Evans sunk, resulting in the loss of 74 American personnel. No Royal Australian Navy personnel died in the collision, though Melbourne sustained extensive bow damage.

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Press Release, June 03, 2014