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. The RAN representatives were Rear Admiral David Stevenson (no relation to Melbourne's Captain Stevenson), Captain Ken Shards, and Captain John Davidson. USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754), an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer, was named in honor of Frank Evans, a leader of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. A total of 10 sailors in the forward section managed to escape and survive. [9] Members of Melbourne's crew dived into the water to rescue overboard survivors close to the carrier, while the carrier's boats and helicopters collected those farther out. On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. Collision with HMAS Melbourne. The HMAS Melbourne was typing some instructions to me and suddenly stopped in mid-sentence. Collision of USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) with HMAS Melbourne, 3 June 1969 In June 1969, the destroyer Frank E. Evans(DD-754) was ordered to leave the Vietnam combat area to participate in a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) exercise (Sea Spirit) in the South China Sea, after which she was to return to the Vietnam combat area. [8] It is uncertain which ship began to manoeuvre first, but each ship's bridge crew claimed that they were informed of the other ship's turn after they commenced their own. Image scanned from Navy Historic Archive. [34] Hopson and Ramsey were charged with dereliction of duty and negligence and had their positions in the promotion list moved down. [8] After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path. Melbourne's commanding officer during the SEATO exercise was Captain John Phillip Stevenson. [2] Rear Admiral John Crabb, the Flag Officer Commanding Australian Fleet, was also embarked on the carrier. HMAS MELBOURNE struck USS FRANK E. EVANS amidships cutting her in half. “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. [2][7] Seeing the destroyer take no action and on a course to place herself under Melbourne's bow, Stevenson ordered the carrier hard to port, signalling the turn by both radio and siren blasts. During the course of SEATO Exercise SEA SPIRIT and in the early hours of 3rd. The Collision To the memory of all sailors who ever served aboard the Destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754). HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Gary was 18 and had recently marked two years' service when the collision happened at 3.15am on June 3, 1969, in the South China Sea. The collision occurred in the early morning hours of June 3. Anderson. Tuesday, June 3, 1969. HMAS Melbourne and USS Frank E Evans collision remembered, Patrol Boat crew commemorates HMAS Armidale (I) sinking ahead of investiture, Chief of Navy Safety and Environment Awards, Sharing culture key to building Navy’s community, Parramatta hosts interactive NAIDOC celebrations, Adelaide crew commemorates Remembrance Day at sea, Harnessing future thinking for future workforce. On this day in 1944, USS Frank E. Evans is launched. A joint RAN–USN Board of Inquiry was held to establish the events of the collision and the responsibility of those involved. The Melbourne–Evans collision was a collision between the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN). Note: This video is hosted on YouTube and has no audio. Recovery of life rafts from the Evans. [1][9], Melbourne travelled to Singapore, arriving on 6 June, where she received temporary repairs to her bow. On left is the stern of USS Evans on right is her sister ship USS … HMAS Melbourne (II) was one of 40 ships from six nations taking part in Exercise SEA SPIRIT in the South China Sea, when in the early hours of 3 Jun 1969, USS Frank E Evans was ordered to change position. The Melbourne–Evans collision was a collision between the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN). [12] Clothing, blankets, and beer were provided to survivors from the carrier's stores, some RAN sailors offered their own uniforms, and the ship's band was instructed to set up on the flight deck to entertain and distract the USN personnel. [41] Legislation to this end has been introduced on several occasions, but has so far failed to gather sufficient support. [24] He regularly intervened for American witnesses, but failed to do so on similar matters for the Australians. A training film, I Relieve You, Sir, was developed by the USN for junior watchkeeping officers. During Sea Spirit, Melbourne was assigned five escorts: the US destroyers Everett F. Larson, Frank E. Evans, and James E. Kyes and the frigates HMNZS Blackpool and HMS Cleopatra. 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 two American sailors for the service. She was laid down for the Royal Navy on 15 April 1943, but construction was stopped at the end of World War II. [41] Despite operating in Vietnamese waters immediately before deployment to Exercise Sea Spirit, and being scheduled to return to activities supporting the war effort after the exercise, it was determined that as Sea Spirit was not directly linked with U.S. operations in Vietnam, and the exercise took place outside the geographical limit for the conflict as defined by the outer edge of Market Time operations, the crew was ineligible for inclusion on 'The Wall'. Signals to HMAS Supply. Imagery is available on the Australian Defence Image Library at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20141580. 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. Seventy-four of Evans' crew were killed. Chris was on duty onboard HMAS Melbourne at the time of the collision. Former RAN seaman Gary Smith worked hard to have the collision between HMAS Melbourne II and the USS Frank E. Evans recognised as significant enough to warrant a plaque at Ulverstone's naval memorial. [25] Testimony on the collision and the subsequent rescue operation was to be given separately, and although requests by American personnel to give both sets of testimony at the same time in order to return to their duties were regularly granted, the same request made by Stevenson was denied by King. [41] These exceptions would also apply to those killed in the Melbourne-Evans collision, but an act of Congress specifically permitting the inclusion of their names on the memorial is required. [9] Five other decorations were presented to Australian personnel in relation to the rescue of Evans' crew: one George Medal, one Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), one Air Force Cross, and two British Empire Medals. [2][6] This was the fourth time that Evans had been asked to assume this station that night, and the previous three manoeuvres had been without incident. 36–41. The forward section of the Frank E Evans sunk, resulting in the loss of 74 American personnel. The stern section of USS Frank E. Evans rests in the auxiliary repair drydock USS Windsor (ADR 22) at Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines, three days after colliding with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne in the South China Sea on June 3, 1969. South China Sea early morning 3 June 1969 aftermath scene of the HMAS Melbourne and USS Frank E Evans collision. In the early hours of June 3rd, 1969, the USS Frank E. Evans, an American destroyer, and the HMAS Melbourne, an Australian aircraft carrier, were on exercise in … Ex-serving members of the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy are reunited at the HMAS Melbourne (II) and USS Frank E Evans 45th Anniversary service at Garden Island Navy Base, Sydney. ‘I think a lot of the crew suffered trauma,’ said Stevenson. Designed by Sourcefabric. By the staff of the Historical Section of the Sea Power Centre – Australia On this day in 1944, USS Frank E. Evans is launched. pp. ... but it also signifies the anniversary of destroyer USS Frank E Evans' collision with HMAS Melbourne II. Powered by Newscoop. HMAS MELBOURNE struck USS FRANK E. EVANS amidships cutting her in half. Within minutes the forward half rolled to port and sank, taking with her 74 brave souls. 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. In Stevens, David. The USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbourne’s bow and was cut in two. Backers took to the Senate floor as part of an effort to get names of 74 people killed on the USS Frank E. Evans added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In 1969, during the height of the Viet Nam conflict, the Royal Australian Navy aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne, collided with the American destroyer USS Frank E. Evans. She was sold to the Royal Australian Navy in 1948, along with sister ship HMAS Sydney, but was heavily upgraded while construction was completed and did not enter service until the end of 1955. A collision between Royal Australian Navy HMAS Melbourne (R-21) and destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) while taking part in SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) exercise in the South China Sea. [17] The carrier departed on 27 June, and arrived in Sydney on 9 July, where she remained until November docked at Cockatoo Island Dockyard for repairs and installation of the new bow. The Collision 1. The end of USS Frank E. Evans was the beginning of an enduring bond between the two crews. 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. [32] Two charges of negligence—for failing to explicitly instruct Evans to change course to avoid collision and for failing to set the carrier's engines to full astern—were laid on 15 August, with the court martial held from 20 to 25 August. A collision between Royal Australian Navy HMAS Melbourne (R-21) and destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) while taking part in SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) exercise in the South China Sea. 1. Unlike other naval casualties during the Vietnam War, the names of the 74 Evans crew killed are not inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. [2] During Sea Spirit, Melbourne was assigned five escorts: the US destroyers Everett F. Larson, Frank E. Evans, and James E. Kyes and the frigates HMNZS Blackpool and HMS Cleopatra. Stevenson held a dinner for the five escort captains at the start of the exercise, during which he recounted the events of t… [33][34] Evidence presented during the hearing showed that going full astern would have made no difference to the collision, and on the matter of the failing-to-instruct charge, the presiding Judge Advocate concluded that reasonable warning had been given to the destroyer and asked "What was [Stevenson] supposed to do—turn his guns on them?". [37] Following the events, publicly considered to be another scapegoating of a Melbourne commander, Stevenson requested retirement, as he no longer wished to serve under people he no longer respected. Long shot of the Evans cut in two. Seventy-four sailors were killed that day, but they were never … [27] There was also a heavy focus on the adequacy of Melbourne's navigational lighting. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute. [14], Seventy-four of the 273 crew on Evans were killed. This established the strong bonds between officers and sailors involved in the collision, which continue today.”. HMAS Melbourne and USS Midway (background) in 1981. “As the morning progressed, Melbourne personnel were swift to respond and played an important role in the recovery of the 199 US survivors. Backers took to the Senate floor as part of an effort to get names of 74 people killed on the USS Frank E. Evans added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Melbourne–Evans collision was a collision between the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN). Melbourne was one of 40 ships from six nations taking part in Exercise SEA SPIRIT, when in the early hours of 3 June 1969, the USS Frank E Evans was ordered to change position. Australian sailors who served on the Melbourne often attend. hmas melbourne collides with uss frank e evans JUNE 3, 1969 On June 3 1969 the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN) collided whilst participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. Ross resident Gary Evan wants a memorial to mark HMAS Melbourne's 1969 incident. [29] The report was inconsistent in several areas with the evidence given at the inquiry, including the falsity that Melbourne's navigational lights took significant time to come to full brilliance. The ships were on manoeuvres in the South China Sea. [1] After being stripped for parts, the hulk was decommissioned on 1 July, and was later sunk when used for target practice. The Federal Government has apologised to the captain of HMAS Melbourne for being made the scapegoat for one of Australia's most devastating naval disasters. A total of 10 sailors in the forward section managed to escape and survive. In 1964, Melbourne was involved in a collision with the Australian destroyer HMAS Voyager, sinking the smaller ship and killing 82 of her crew. Collision with HMAS Melbourne. Within minutes the forward half rolled to port and sank, taking with her 74 brave souls. [15], The unanimous decision of the Board was that although Evans was partially at fault for the collision, Melbourne had contributed by not taking evasive action sooner, even though doing this would have been a direct contravention of international sea regulations, which stated that in the lead up to a collision, the larger ship was required to maintain course and speed. [23] At the beginning of the inquiry, King banned one of the RAN legal advisors from attending, even as an observer. [9] Melbourne hit Evans amidships at 3:15 am, cutting the destroyer in two. [1], Melbourne's commanding officer during the SEATO exercise was Captain John Phillip Stevenson. ... the USS Frank E Evans … [6] They were the first group of siblings permitted to serve on the same ship since World War II, a result of the policy introduced when the five Sullivan brothers were killed following the sinking of USS Juneau. Within minutes the bow section of the Evans sank with the tragic loss of 74 lives. Australské námořnictvo ji do služby zařadilo roku 1955 a provozovalo ji až do roku 1982. [34][36] The other view is that the court-martial was used in an attempt to clear Stevenson's name and to allow the RAN to distance itself from the findings of the Joint Board of Inquiry. Obituary: Captain John Philip Stevenson AM RAN Ret’d. One reason suggested was that it was to appease the USN, which had court-martialled three officers from Evans and had threatened to prevent US ships from operating as part of Australian-led forces if no action was taken against Stevenson. [11] The bow section sank quickly; the majority of those killed were believed to have been trapped within. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.. [39], In 1999, McLemore publicly claimed that the collision was his responsibility, as he had left two inexperienced officers in command of his ship.[40]. Sherbo, Paul (December 2003). Branch, Alex, "Survivors Recall The Night The USS Frank E. Evans Was Cut In Two". Frank E. Evans. Following the service, the former service men and their families were invited to tour frigate HMAS Newcastle, before they reminisced over lunch at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre. HMAS Melbourne (II) was one of 40 ships from six nations taking part in Exercise SEA SPIRIT in the South China Sea, when in the early hours of 3 Jun 1969, USS Frank E Evans was ordered to change position. Those who served aboard Melbourne have certainly suffered, but the survivors of the battered crew of Evans had it worse. US Navy Sea King helicopters in flight. The Collision To the memory of all sailors who ever served aboard the Destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754). June 1969, HMAS Melbourne and USS Frank E Evans collided in the South China Sea. On left is the stern of USS Evans on right is her sister ship USS … [6], A Joint RAN-USN Board of Inquiry was established to investigate the incident, following the passing of special regulations allowing the presence of Australian personnel at a U.S. Within minutes the bow section of the Evans sank with the tragic loss of 74 lives. [6] The memorial specifically commemorates the three Sage brothers, all of whom were aboard Evans and were killed in the collision. She served in late World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War before being cut in half in a collision with HMAS Melbourne in 1969. Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Department of Defence users will not be able to view this video on the Defence Protected Network. USS Frank E. Evans, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was named in honor of Brigadier General Frank Evans, USMC, a leader of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. Long shot of the Evans cut in two. HMAS Melbourne (R21) byla letadlová loď australského námořnictva.Byla v pořadí třetí letadlovou lodí provozovanou australským námořnictvem. By the staff of the Historical Section of the Sea Power Centre – Australia [22], Despite admissions by members of the USN, given privately to personnel in other navies, that the incident was entirely the fault of Evans, significant attempts were made to reduce the U.S. destroyer's culpability and place at least partial blame for the incident on Melbourne. The destroyer’s service would tragically came to an end during the Vietnam War when she accidentally collided with the Australian carrier HMAS Melbourne.Seventy-four sailors were killed that day, but they were … Rear Admiral John Crabb, the Flag Officer Commanding Australian Fleet, was also embarked on the carrier. In the early morning hours of June 3, 1969, the Royal Australian Navy aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne, collided with the American destroyer USS Frank E. Evans. hmas melbourne collides with uss frank e evans JUNE 3, 1969 On June 3 1969 the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans of the United States Navy (USN) collided whilst participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. See more ideas about Royal australian navy, Subic bay, Warship. Cooper, Alastair (2001). She served in late World War II and the Korean War, and Vietnam War before being cut in half in a collision with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne in 1969. This … Those who served aboard Melbourne have certainly suffered, but the survivors of the battered crew of Evans had it worse. The end of USS Frank E. Evans was the beginning of an enduring bond between the two crews. On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. [17], 817 Squadron RAN—which was responsible for the Westland Wessex helicopters embarked on Melbourne at the time of the collision—was later awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their rescue efforts. [9] The Board was in session for over 100 hours between 9 June and 14 July, with 79 witnesses interviewed; 48 USN, 28 RAN, and 3 from other navies. Michael Pullinger was on board the HMAS Melbourne when it collided with the USS Frank E Evans Credit: Emma Young. USS Frank E. Evans, DD 754. Jun 4, 2020 - Explore John Berghuis's board "USS Frank E Evans" on Pinterest. [2][4][15], Following the evacuation of Evans's stern, the section was cast off while the carrier moved away to avoid damage, but against expectation, it failed to sink. [1] She served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and earned eleven battle stars. Signals to HMAS Supply. The damage to the Melbourne was slight. The end of USS Frank E. Evans was the beginning of an enduring bond between the two crews. [4] In preparation for launching a Grumman S-2 Tracker aircraft, Stevenson ordered Evans to the plane guard station, reminded the destroyer of Melbourne's course, and instructed the carrier's navigational lights to be brought to full brilliance. [34] Despite the findings, Stevenson's next posting was as chief of staff to a minor flag officer; seen by him as a demotion in all but name. No Royal Australian Navy personnel died in the collision, though Melbourne sustained extensive bow damage. From Left, Gordon Lowe, retired Radar Plotter, RAN; Del Francis, retired 3rd Class Radarman USS Evans; and Chris Mitchell, also a retired Radar Plotter of the RAN. Former RAN seaman Gary Smith worked hard to have the collision between HMAS Melbourne II and the USS Frank E. Evans recognised as significant enough to warrant a plaque at Ulverstone's naval memorial. "I think a lot of the crew suffered trauma," said Stevenson. 1. On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbourne’s bow and was cut in two. [2][8] At approximately the same time, Evans turned hard to starboard to avoid the approaching carrier. Turns towards 020 Note that a temporary jackstaff has been installed as Evans remained a commissioned naval vessel. On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. HMAS Melbourne after the collision. The ships were on manoeuvres in the South China Sea. Obituary: Captain John Philip Stevenson AM RAN Ret’d. ... but it also signifies the anniversary of destroyer USS Frank E Evans' collision with HMAS Melbourne II. [6] Collision survivors and family members of Evans crewmembers have held annual reunions to memoralize the accident. “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. A special commemoration to the Crew who sailed with her on that fateful morning, June 3, 1969 when USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) collided with the Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) and was cut in half. The Collision 1. Seventy-four sailors were killed that day, but they were never … [4] Based around the events of the collision, the film demonstrates the responsibility junior watchkeeping officers hold, and the potential consequences of failing to do their job. [30] Several facts were also edited out of the transcripts of the inquiry. HMAS Melbourne/USS Frank E Evans collision) By CoMMoDore DaVID ferry 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 Turning Circles Voyager, 1000 yds (10 deg rudder) 850 yrds (15 deg rudder) Melbourne, 2800 yds Speed Averages Voyager, 19 knots Melbourne, 21 knots Fig. The Federal Government has apologised to the captain of HMAS Melbourne for being made the scapegoat for one of Australia's most devastating naval disasters. USS Frank E. Evans, DD 754. June 3, 1969: The HMAS Melbourne rams the USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) For over two decades, the United States was a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. Video footage of HMAS Melbourne (II) arriving in Singapore after her collision with USS Frank E Evans in 1969. At approximately 3:00 am, when ordered to a new escort station, Evans sailed under Melbourne's bow, where she was cut in two. ISSN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.. [18] Fifteen additional commendations for gallantry were awarded by the Australian Naval Board. [41] Vietnam veterans have argued that inclusion on the monument should not be determined by geographic location, and exceptions to this rule have previously been made for soldiers killed as part of the conflict but not in Vietnam itself; for example those involved in operations in Laos, and those dying in transit to or from Vietnam. [5] Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision. [34], The defence submitted that there was "no case to answer", resulting in the dropping of both charges and the verdict of "Honourably Acquitted". No doubt, all those not on watch were in their bunks. A utility boat arrives with survivors from USS Frank E. Evans. HMAS Melbourne was the lead ship of the Majestic class of aircraft carriers. Video footage of HMAS Melbourne (II) arriving in Singapore after her collision with USS Frank E Evans in 1969. 24 August 1921 – 29 January 2019 (Captain John Stevenson was captain of HMAS Melbourne at the time of the collision with the USS Frank E Evans in May 1969 in the South China Sea.) [2][4] Of the evidence and testimony given at the court-martial, nothing suggested that Stevenson had done anything wrong; instead it was claimed that he had done everything reasonable to avoid collision, and had done it correctly. Turns towards 020 US Navy Sea King helicopters in flight. On this day in 1944, USS Frank E. Evans was the lead of. Evans crewmembers have held annual reunions to memoralize the accident 9 ] [ 8 ] at approximately the same,. Laid down on 21 April 1944, USS Frank E. 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