3rd June, 1969. Melbourne/ Evans collision

[bob10]

0300, 3rd June, 1969. HMAS Melbourne collided with USS Evans. 74 US sailors lost their lives. I was on Vampire, about 40 N.M. away at the time of the collision. We went to full speed, and when we reached the area, it was the first time I've seen sailors lost for words. Bob




The Melbourne-Evans Incident (released 1975) - YouTube (http://youtu.be/8cK0kolfwUw)


Some AWM amateur film from Melbourne, film from the aftermath at the 10 minute mark. A written description of the film is given, no sound. Some good shots of aircraft operating off Melbourne.


Navy footage including aftermath of the collision of HMAS Melbourne and USS Evans | Australian War Memorial (http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F00260/)

[Boris_law]

Very sad day indeed for us and the USN, RIP those sailors who lost their lives in this incident, I at HMAS Harman at the time.

Boris

[bob10]

The surviving crew of the Evans, and crew of Melbourne have formed an association, & have reunions periodically. There is a strong bond between them. A historical article on the accident, & aftermath , is here, Bob




USS Frank E. Evans: Disaster in the South China Sea (http://www.historynet.com/uss-frank-e-evans-disaster-in-the-south-china-sea.htm)


Here is an extract


Ron Baker remembered: 'Some of the [Melbourne] officers dropped cargo nets over the side and scrambled down. Four of them actually went through the aft section of the Evans to make sure no one was left on there after the Americans had climbed on board.'
Stevenson recalled that 'Bob Burns, who's now dead, was one of the stars of the side. He dived over the stern, and a lot of guys did that.'
'He went over twice,' recounted Baker. 'He pulled in one guy who'd been crushed, got him in and was no sooner back on board than he spotted another bloke in the water, jumped over again and towed him to a lifeboat. He got the George Medal [the British Commonwealth's second highest award for noncombat heroism].' In the end, Melbourne crewmen received 15 Naval Board commendations, with two Queen's commendations, two British Empire Medals, a Member of the British Empire and one [British Commonwealth] Air Force Cross.

[bob10]

Breaking NEWS! The lost 74 are very close to being added to the Vietnam Wall of Rememberence, Washington DC. Lest We Forget, Bob


HUNNEMAN: “Lost 74″ closer to being added to Vietnam Memorial (http://blog.pe.com/john-hunneman/2014/05/22/hunneman-lost-74-closer-to-being-added-to-vietnam-memorial/)