In the darkness of early morning on June 3, 1969, destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) collided with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) in a joint exercise in the South China Sea, resulting in the loss of 74 lives. This 1975 Navy training film recreates the events surrounding the collision. Names of the officers involved in the collision have been changed. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photographic Section, UMO-40.
I am curious about is why there was no warning from the radarmen in CIC on the Evans. It would seem that they would have seen on their radar screens that a collision was going to happen and would have had enough time to get that message to the bridge or why the starboard or port lookout are not mention. This doc does not address these issues. As a crew member abroad the USS Waldron DD699 during this time and a member of 1st Div, this sends chills thru me.
promoguy59 1 month ago