Melbourne–Evans collision
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). On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. Around 3:00 am, when ordered to a new escort station, Evans sailed under Melbourne's bow, where she was cut in two. Seventy-four of Evans's crew were killed.
| Melbourne–Evans collision | |
|---|---|
The stern section of USS Frank E. Evans on the morning after the collision. USS Everett F. Larson (right) is moving in to salvage the remains of the abandoned destroyer. | |
| Date | 3 June 1969 |
| Place | South China Sea 8°59.2′N 110°47.7′E |
| Vessels involved | HMAS Melbourne (R21) USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) |
| Cause | Navigational error resulting in collision |
| Result | • USS Frank E. Evans sunk • 74 personnel aboard Evans killed • HMAS Melbourne damaged |
A joint RAN–USN board of inquiry was held to establish the events of the collision and the responsibility of those involved. This inquiry, which was believed by the Australians to be biased against them, found that both ships were at fault for the collision. Four officers (the captains of Melbourne and Evans, and the two junior officers in control of Evans at the time of the collision) were court-martialled based on the results of the inquiry; while the three USN officers were found guilty, the RAN officer was cleared of wrongdoing.