Melbourne–Evans collision
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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.
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.
HMAS Melbourne
USS Frank E. Evans
Full memorial, USS Frank E. Evans memorial located in Warren Cemetery, Gurnee, Illinois.
HMAS Melbourne (R21)
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HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1955 until 1982, and was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.
HMAS Melbourne in 1967
Aerial photograph of Melbourne, showing the angled flight deck.
A de Havilland Sea Venom, with arrestor gear still connected, has just landed on Melbourne
Melbourne refuelling HMAS Quickmatch while conducting flying operations