Official apology for HMAS Melbourne captain

[@oceanmariner]

I was on the Evans at the time as a QM3. My job was on the bridge. It was blatantly our fault, primarily the Officer of the Deck. The captain had left orders to be awakened in the event of any formation change. The OD failed to wake the captain. There was nothing reasonable the Melbourne could have done considering the Evans was running at high speed and was much more maneuverable. Probably running at 27 knots. This happened at night during a SEATO exercise simulating war time. It was a dark night and no ship had their running lights on. Radar was off as part of the exercise. Ships were zigzagging in unison. The Melbourne was a black object, sometimes difficult to distinguish between bow and stern. You had to know. Our OD lost track of the zigzag pattern when ordered to move astern of the carrier to plane guard station. He turned to go down the carrier's side but instead went bows on. Continuing in the same turn crossed and made a T. We were hit near the center, between the stacks. Melbourne went through the fwd boiler room. One of our signalman, on the top deck, ended up on the Melbourne's flight deck. I was impressed with the professionalism of the Melbourne crew. I never saw another like it in 50 years on the water. They had their boats in the water and helos launched in minutes. Maybe less. They saved many people, some injured, that would have drowned. The only good memory was survivors gathering on the Melbourne's stern and treated to Foster's. At the time American beer was less than half as potent. When I heard what the Australian navy did to their captain, I felt ashamed, as the Australian Navy and government should.

[@andrewstackpool4911]

Sorry you had to live through that horrific experience and hope you go well. Did you attend one of the 50th Commemorations?

[@oceanmariner]

@@andrewstackpool4911 No

[@suzannePhillips-k1m]

Thank you, sir, while the Australian captain was shafted, and you and other sailors were hurt. you share the truth, pitty we had weak gutted leaders. off our navy and government.that were not held responsible for destroying the captain's career.

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

Thank you for your service.

[@williampankiw7590]

@@suzannePhillips-k1m I also was on the “Melbourne” for that collision, and I’m not ashamed to say I’m still haunted by this incident and the aftermath. I helped tie the stern section to us, a Naval airman jumped onboard just before I was going to so I helped but to this day, I cannot remember whether I passed down our lines or we used theirs. I also was in a brawl with a stoker in charge of the “dead man’s ice” as I didn’t think the survivors would want a cup of tea. A chief stoker broke up the fight and on realising why I wanted the ice, told the stoker to give me as much as I wanted. To my shame, I still have guilt feelings about not having the courage to tell one of the USN Chiefs that his sons did not survive. This act of cowardice still haunts me. I was posted to the Marine Section at HMAS Creswell, the search and rescue division for the collision of the HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager off Jarvis Bay, when she collided at (I think) 2115) and was on Either HMAS Air Sprite or HMAS Air Nymph when they went out to rescue who we could. What some people forgot was when we returned after temporary repairs in Singapore we went to Cockatoo Island dockyard where the Captain had to talk to the crew out of a”stop work” as support for the Captain of the Melbourne as the Navy were going to call this a mutiny. This was a spontaneous decision by a lot of the crew to show our support for the Captain.

[@doriankeating1963]

Sir ! No words from any government could ever right the wrong done to you and your family, you should have been supported and praised and offered every bit of assistance to deal with such a tragedy! You can hold your head high! Shame on all who took part in the blaming of you and shame on anyone that never had the courage to stand and be counted on your behalf! It makes me sick to my core at how we are such a gullible and nation of cowards from the top to bottom. May you live long and healthy

[@Neverdie242]

Glad to hear that he got the apolgy, he should of never been charged.

[@blueyhanson6253]

I don't recall any of us serving in the R.A.N at that time being impressed with what happened to a good man.Sad that so many died, but it wasn't his fault.

[@franksimon6617]

I was a supply officer on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) when this happened, and CDR Mitchell was our Engineering Officer before he received command of the Frank D Evans. I have studied what happened that night, and I believe this documentary has the facts right. The fault likes entirely with the Evan's bridge OOD, JOOD and Captain Mitchell. I am so sorry for what this did to Captain Stevenson's career. This was definitely not to the glory of the US Navy. I'm glad that the Australian Navy has set the record straight.

[@suzannePhillips-k1m]

thank you.

[@oceanmariner]

Captain was McLemore from 3/68. No Mitchell. Capt McLemore was a good captain. But he put his trust in the wrong deck officer. I'd go to sea with him again.

[@skookapalooza2016]

91 years old and he's sharp as a tack. I'm just glad that the truth was finally acknowledged. I hope this gives him some peace of mind.

[@denisiwaszczuk1176]

Rodger that

[@andrewstackpool4911]

Im concerned that Smith's letter apparently stopped short of an actual apology. But better than nothing

[@change_your_oil_regularly4287]

The government obviously learnt nothing from the HMAS Voyager incident. Shameful. You have my respect Captain Stevenson!

[@suzannePhillips-k1m]

agree.

[@richardgiles2484]

This is so sad that his wife didn't get to see this news. How it ever came to this in the first place is beyond belief

[@dannygayler90]

May God Rest the soul of Mrs.Stevenson and of Captain Stevenson!

[@randyjohnson6845]

The HMS Melbourne hit two ships in the 60s Whether it's a American ship .Australian or a British ship.The aircraft carrier is always the lead ship on any excercises and in war time .The HMAS Voyager or this USS Evans destroyer. The only reason these destroyers are in the area is of there supporting the aircraft carrier. This isn't even a big carrier and look what it does in a accident. Its sinking it just minutes ...a super trooper in 1942 the Queen Mary in sight of Ireland approaching 8 British destroyers and a lite cruiser for escort. Not escort of torpedo attack but support in anti aircraft defense. The HMS Curacao steered in front of 90k tons of ship with 15k troops on board zigzagging at 28 to 30 knots.and the cruiser was gone in seconds. The captain of the queen Mary had orders not to stop for any reason for rescue...... DONT GET CLOSE TO A CARRIER OR THE QUEEN MARY. IF THEY HIT YOU YOUR DONE

[@andrewstackpool4911]

After Evans, THE RAN established CPA zones for daylight and night ops. And NEVER closer than 2000 yards. God help any OOW who got inside that circle

[@doriankeating1963]

And may you smile always! You sir are an Australian that I am very proud of.

[@johngreally9599]

Two bow collisions for HMAS Melbourne, two great competent Australian Captains politically let down for the sake of small vessel drinkers and know-nothings. BTW, a brusque and bitter Admiral King had a well-documented loathing of all Commonwealth navies and naval personnel. True patriotism, sometimes, is saying sorry, in this case to Captain John Philip Stevenson, a true servant of a nation, as much as his father was in his turn.

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

Admiral King was long retired before this collision occurred. His loathing was not for "all commonwealth navies". His loathing was for the RN. That in itself would have been difficult to separate from his general crankiness and impatience toward all of mankind. The Admiral died in 1956. He had no influence on the 1969 collision between the Melbourne and Evans.

[@RogerWilson-wo8hn]

@@NatashaBadenov-k1d Admiral Jerome King USN was in charge of the enquiry at Subic Bay. We kept getting his utterances by signal on Melbourne, daily. He proved himself to be a complete idiot.😡😡😡

[@kwd3109]

R.I.P. to the 74 American sailors whose lives were lost. That's the real tragedy here. The Australian Captain may have got a bad deal but it was his own Government who threw him under the bus, not the Americans.

[@astrodiver1]

Agree, a few years after the indecent the USN made a training film that completely put the blame on the Evans crew.

[@rodfair5698]

Astrodiver, the film is on YT.Watched it last night.

[@AndroidTap]

jerome king scapegoated the RAN

[@N-Dz-VSKYT]

What as a person I feel & the facts diverge early on in this case. 1. Any dead is the sadist thing for endless individuals. 2. Survivors of such an event not matter how good or bad they come out is as hurtful. Given that, a ship that is part of a larger group though responsible, is not solely so ever. The highest up, the shot caller, has ultimate duty to ensure safety to the entirety as well as overall success of mission(s). On top of that, there is this stickler of an international rules of the road that says basically if you see a problem your responsible to avoid the problem too. Not your fault, to late, wrong move, no move, well none of that removes responsibility. BTW: none of the later would save a single career or life either.

[@Nibby12]

@@AndroidTap absolutely, it is mind boggling that he was in charge of the inquiry in the first place.

[@bluebear6570]

Americans never take any blame for their wrong doing! I am glad that Captain Stevenson finally got justice!

[@oceanhome2023]

Thank God that this apology came now that he is still with us ! As an American I give him my apology also

[@kwd3109]

America has nothing to apologize for. It was the Australian government who threw this good captain under the bus, not the Americans.

[@greeniemelb]

@@kwd3109 Of course the Americans have plenty to apologize for. They rigged their inquiry from the start. The presiding officer was not only a friend of the Evan's captain and was Admiral in command of his fleet, so he was heavily biased because of his friendship as well as it reflecting badly on himself as Admiral commanding. All USN ratings and officers were allowed access to lawyers during the inquiry but no RAN members were allowed the same entitlement. In fact two of the RAN's most senior lawyers simply there to observe the proceedings were ordered to leave the courtroom.

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

@@greeniemelb If the inquiry was rigged to favor the USN in findings then why did the inquiry (not court) find the USN Evans responsible for the collision? The RAN was responsible to hold its own inquiry. The USN had no responsibility for or authority over that. The RAN and Australian government should not have scapegoated the Melbourne's Captain for this disaster. The fault for the collision was primarily on the watch officers of the Evans. The fault for scapegoating the Melbourne's captain for this collision and RAN Captain Robertson for the earlier collision between Melbourne and the RAN Voyager was the fault of the Australian government. Please be honest.

[@diogocatalano9557]

Australian government shouln´t blame Melbourn´s capitain for the incident, what a shame.

[@dumbassdriversofdenver9113]

They never blamed him but they didn't defend him over pressure from the US. As an American let me just say this was our fault and we should have never tried to shift blame to the captain of the Melbourne. He was never at fault and their was nothing substantial he could have done to avoid the Collision. 🥺

[@mikewisdom6520]

Why dont they back date his wages add his ranks to be achieved and pay him out plus pensions back dated

[@alannewman85]

Because they're too mean to really admit they messed up the enquiry more than the Officers on the Evans bungled their decisions. That Capt saw his career end and carried that his whole life.

[@wilsonle61]

@@alannewman85 Spiteful is what I would call them.

[@JamesStewartenjoyer]

I knew the captain of the Melbourne, John Stevenson was the most calm man I ever met, the most kind, most honarable person I ever met.

[@JamesStewartenjoyer]

Sad that he’s dead now though.

[@andrewallen9993]

The Australian government ruined HMAS Melbourne's other captains career who sunk another destroyer through no fault of his own.

[@jangaroo777]

I was 8yrs old I’d gone to paper shop for mum only to see headlines on front page. My Father told me over the years what happened & that it was the American Captain at fault.. what we don’t hear is the effect on our Aussie sailors. The trauma of the collision & seeing US sailors drowning that affected their lives some for the rest of their lives. Hero’s all of them🇦🇺

[@change_your_oil_regularly4287]

The men on the Melbourne helped rescue trapped American sailors after the remains of the destroyer had been lashed to the side of the Melbourne.

[@alannewman85]

How extraordinary that the USN are slow to learn from their mistakes - USS Porter, USS John S McCain, USS Fitzgerald... all recent examples of ineptitude on a grand scale - and all complete with Courtmartials for the Captains concerned..

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

hope they made his wages up and should have had the guts to apologize

[@jamesgoddard871]

Having studied the history of this event makes me ashamed as a American of my government allowing any blame to be placed upon the men and Captain of the Melbourne . They did nothing wrong . In recent years our navy still has not learned the lesson as other similar accidents have taken place due to incompetency on the bridge .

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

Your statement ignores the facts of the case and calls into question your ability to "study" this case. The USN held the watch officers of the USS Evans responsible, not the Melbourne Captain and crew. Please try to be more honest in the future.

[@jyralnadreth4442]

Thats 2 Captains of the HMAS Melbourne that got screwed over by their own Government

[@rocketman48]

terrible terrible injustice just to boost or maintain US ego.bill from Ireland

[@Will_CH1]

Inexcusble treatment. How can you do that to a good man

[@danielheartfire614]

It happens all the time. People who do the right thing are blamed. But we need to do the right thing anyway.

[@alannewman85]

Absolutely astonishing. What is more incredulous is that this wasn't the Australian Navys first time round the block either. In a way the Aussie establishment is at least as bad as the Brits in scapegoating their own. I'm inspired by Capt Stevenson - I hope as a Father to 5 daughters I can raise and inspire them as he clearly did with Jo.

[@maxsmodels]

Capt. Stevens was the victim of a USN admiral's desire to protect the image of his service (especially given that they were involved in politically controversial war at the time). It is what we in America call 'the academy mentality' where the image of the organization trumps what is right and/or true. There was even a USN training film made about this incident in 1975. It made it very clear that the officers of the watch and the skipper of the Evans were completley at fault. None of that mitigates the railroading of a fine RAN officer. I am glad he lived to see the record corrected.

[@natowaveenjoyer9862]

The RAN threw their own captain under the bus and you blame America? Also, protecting your image is a good thing. To paraphrase Irving Kristol, it's what rules the world.

[@bruceharris4643]

Unfortunately, when it comes to the military, sh*t roles not only downhill, but whenever there is an accident or loss of life, it rolls uphill too. This wasn't the first, nor, unfortunately, will it be the last time, that the senior in command is taken to account when it appears that they should not be. Remember the Captain of the USS Indianapolis? That's just the way of the military. The "blame knife" cuts a very wide swath. History, fortunately, has a way of eventually making things right (sometimes). Personally, I'm happy for the Captain, and his family, that that was the case here.

[@alantoon5708]

The watch standers on the Evans were not qualified for their jobs..

[@greeniemelb]

In light of what happened to the Voyager, Stevenson gave very explicit orders prior to the exercise to the escorting ships Captains as to what time and which ships were to be on plane recovery duty and under no circumstances were they to turn towards or steer in front of Melbourne but had to turn away from her. The Evan's Captain decided he would go to his cabin and sleep and left a senior officer in charge of the bridge who had indeed failed his watch keeping certificate whilst a junior officer who had passed was on the bridge but at no stage, understandably, felt comfortable in overruling him. No ships Captain of any Navy should be asleep when they are required to make such an important change of course.

[@endwood]

It disgusts me that this sort of thing happened, I am not proud to be an Australian sometimes & this is one time where I believe we Aussies should hang our heads in shame. We owe a lot to all service men & women, Lest We Forget

[@hiddendragon415]

A letter to the family.. How about financial compensation.

[@andrewstackpool4911]

While this is an old report, we must never forget. Those who were there in Melbourne and my ship HMAS PARRAMATTA which stayed in Subic Bay for the COI knew then that the COI was a Kangaroo Court by the US. As CINCPACFLT, King should never have been President or even there. His questioning and attitude towards the RAN witnesses including FOCAF RADM Crabbe was disgusting. It was quite clear that as Melbourne was turning to seek the wind to launch aircraft she was not in a position to take rapid evasive action but did all she could including signals and maximum lighting to warn Evans. One Australian senior officer actually snapped back, "what was she meant to do? Turn her guns on them?" RADM Crabbe before the start of the exercise had made it very clear as to how distant escorts were to stay from the ship as well as explain our RESDES manoeuvre. Yet that morning in broad daylight, the USS Cunningham almost collided with Melbourne. Crabbe went ballistic. With respect to CAPT Stevenson, he was incorrect about the Evans CO in one area. His night orders like ours were that he be called when FLYOPS were signalled. Evans' OOD never called him and I bieve that individual wasn't even on the bridge when the manoeuvre was executed. The USN subsequently made a training movie in which it showed all the monumental stuff ups by the Evans Bridge and CIC officers that night and also claimed Evans alone responsible as did her CO later on. The plus is that over the years there was formed a very special bond between the men of both ships and the 50th Anniversary was a special event.

[@tsbedford]

Very glad to see .Long overdue. Lest We Forget

[@sgtfoxhound]

Sir As a serving Infantry Sgt I salute you.

[@mikewisdom6520]

What a stunning wife

[@alanlane3670]

I was on HMAS Parramatta ...40 KMS away when the tragedy happened....

[@andrewstackpool4911]

Makes two of us Alan

[@andrewstackpool4911]

And a side thing that gets up my wick was the opposite of our skipper. MELBOURNE was flying day and night on passage from Sydney including through the Reef and he was called every time.

[@Nibby12]

He was scapegoated in order to maintain the good relationship between us and the Septics.

[@allgood6760]

Sad but true 😔

[@bret9741]

I served on the Eisenhower in the 80’s. I have seen this kind of unfairness occur over and over. I’m deeply sorry that my country’s Admiralty didn’t take full responsibility and make the necessary changes in addition to paying for the repairs on the Australian carrier. In my opinion the US admiralty still owes the Australian Navy a full apology, not for the accident but rather the arrogant way in which it approached aftermath of the accident. I’m just a sailor who went on the be a pilot and airline pilot. I’ve seen similar issues in aviation where everyone looks for a scapegoat rather than looking at the accident and pointing out the series of events and attitudes of the people in the system that ultimately lead to an accident. He is a rule you can always stand by if your involved in an accident. First, if you are involved in an accident. Make sure you know what happened before making a statement. Appearances aren’t always true. Second if it is your fault, own up to that fault and make sure no one else takes any portion of the blame that is solely yours to carry. I’ve found that some of the absolute best men and women in this world are those who, when they screw up, when they do something that is injurious to others...... these people not only take respond but also work to make amends when possible. It is painful and often ruinous of their careers. People will isolate and hate them. However over time, when a person does the right thing and takes responsibility for their actions, good things occur and over time, life returns to a new normal and one in which honor can and often is restored.

[@danielheartfire614]

I hope he is restored his rank. Restored any difference in pay. Restored any honors taken from him. Somebody was playing games and throwing him under the bus to hide something. Not saying there is some big conspiracy, just something else going on.

[@DJP-ph7yj]

Promoted one rank would have righted the absolute disgrace he was treated by a bunch of thankless F..s at the time. Then restored that difference in pay. Someone of his caliber would have definitely been going up the ranks.

[@CharlesHedges-v2u]

What kind of enemy were they imagining in those days? No Asian nations had any semblance of an opposing navy.

[@steveascension9626]

Clearly a good Australian Captain.

[@daveinthephillipines7055]

Well deserved but it ruined his life an apology should have come with it how hard is it to appoligise to someone

[@Persian-Immortal]

What after forty years an apology!!

[@sawredford]

Admiral E King was a pratt In WW2 blood on his hands then!

[@jimczerwinski4951]

A fine saddened man., wouldn’t recommend to any young person to join any of the services because they are all the same.

[@conradross-smith258]

as a son of Jon's tennis partner at RSGC, l might add that from what l can gather he also never cheated, (at tennis, or 'jinxt), ... . .... ... .. .

[@conradross-smith258]

he ended up with the worst 'soldier settler block, not far enough inland for some,

[@conradross-smith258]

op. cit. ; ' ..... ex tennis partner ..'

[@conradross-smith258]

op. cit ; 'a ex tennis player '

[@jamesheilman2634]

This is too often the bureacates response, close ranks, create a story, blame the convenient, and stick to it despite any evidence to the contrary. For the bureaucrat reality is something to be formed... Some might call that lying. I love the US Navy and relish my time in Service. However, I hate the institution that is the Navy. I can almost hear the us Navy's bureaucrats at the time. We've got to make sure that we control the investigation. We've got to convince the Australians not to start their own independent investigation. Ours has to be the only one and our man has to be in charge, so we can control the narrative. Ultimately the bureaucracy could care less about the men who lost their lives or who is really to blame. For the bureaucrat it's all about minimizing their own exposure to a negative. These are disgusting people without a soul. They'll put you on the train in a heartbeat to a death camp and believe they did the right thing. For Captain Stevenson: I hope you are still alive and well. May you come to the realization that the opinions of these morons do not matter. Number one they weren't there you were and two you know what you did. Fairwinds and following scenes Captain Stevenson.

[@weaselworm8681]

Is he still alive? Did they restore his rank? They should have him on board the Melbourne in dress uniform for the re-promotion ceremony. There is no need to bow to American ego this far into the future. This wrong even back then and back then the Cold War tensions did make America more aggressive politically. Now is a great time to set things right. You’re going to do it eventually. Why not now?

[@carlzeiss4871]

Ok then, how much is he going to get in compensation? Years of trauma for him and his family for no fault of his own. Sounds like it should be in millions to me. Maybe something approaching the cost of an aircraft carrier perhaps?

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

At 3 minutes. The bitter old Captain says "That was done to satisfy the Americans." No. That was done by shit politicians in Australia. The US NAVY board of inquiry placed almost all the blame on the USN bridge officers. They had ignored night orders and had failed to wake the Captain when a base course change was ordered by the Melbourne. One of the bridge watch officers misinterpreted a coded radio voice command from the Melbourne to change course. He changed to the wrong course. That was the critical screw up. The Australian government also scapegoated the Melbourne's Captain the first time they cut a destroyer in half. That one was an Aussie destroyer and the Destroyer Captain was well connected but an incompetent drunken fool. Menzies government was later shown to have covered up critical evidence in that case that would have exonerated the then-Captain of the Melbourne. I understand Captain Stevens being bitter but he needed to be bitter at the Aussie government, not the USA government. The Melbourne crew and Captain failed to recognize the pending collision until a few seconds beforehand. That (much smaller) part of it was on the bridge watch of the Melbourne. The night of the accident the formation was sailing without running lights for the purposes of practicing (stealth). That was likely decided by higher-ups prior to the exercise. The Captain of he Melbourne was serving as force commander without the help of staff officers to handle the extra responsibilities. Commanding the carrier and the entire formation simultaneously without the normal extra help was a very bad idea. In my outsider's opinion the Captain of the Melbourne should not have been blamed for this disaster. I am sorry that he was scapegoated by the Australian government and RAN.

[@RogerWilson-wo8hn]

Your comment that the Melbourne’s crew failed to recognise the impending collision until a few seconds beforehand , is complete bullshit. Melbourne changed course to Stb several minutes before disaster, as is standard practice when ships are on a collision course. Evans responded by turning to Port, which reinforced the collision course. During this time Melbourne’s navigation lights were turned to full brilliance. Several radio messages were also sent during this time. All were acknowledged. As last resort Melbourne turned to Port when collision was imminent. Evans also turned back on collision course. I am grateful that, having tried repeatedly to avoid collision, Melbourne did everything possible to avoid that catastrophe. I was there, near the bow, on the flightdeck. I observed Evans coming in on us from several thousand yards. The ship was rocking from side to side on a flat sea, giving me the impression that whoever was in control didn’t know where they were or where we were.

[@LyfovRyan51]

Only took 40 years.

[@Bellthorian]

She must have had that plus 25% ramming damage mod installed.

[@michaelroberts8631]

soory for ur loss but ur never to blame ever

[@JimCTSCLO]

Naval and civilian leadership often take the wrong course of action for various reasons. This is one instance where they took actions that were morally and ethically wrong. The Australian Navy did nothing wrong and the Captian should have been praised.

[@maureenwhalen3505]

I was on the Larson in the boiler room the ship went to G Q the Evans was tied to our ship to await a sea tug to bring her to subic bay says jimw

[@michaelroberts8631]

wake up

[@colharris5283]

Not like the American navy to run into other large ships. Decades of incompetence and poor training.

[@natowaveenjoyer9862]

silence foreigner

[@TheCharlene42]

My other ship dd754

[@VaucluseVanguard]

Are we sure that there was a bit of Labor party anti-Americanism in this decision? I'm not competent to judge CAPT John Stevenson from a technical point of view, but I do understand politics. I note that the training film that the USN produced from this incident attributes no blame to Stevenson; only its own people.

[@granskare]

and what about the HMAS Voyager which was also run down by HMAS Melbourne ?

[@abwm2365]

What about it. VOYAGER was 100 % at fault. Same scenario, captain drunk and in his bunk, inexperienced officer on the bridge. Melbourne launching and landing aircraft at night. One of the most dangerous exercises. Voyager was what was called RES DES. Rescue Destroyer. Her job was to track along same course as MELBOURNE and should any aircraft crash she would collect the pilot if any ditched in the ocean. Very dangerous job requires Captain on the bridge. Wind changes so MELBOURNE needs to change course to land planes. She signals VENDETTA to change station, that is to go to the other side of her. VOYAGER should simply do a long turn away from Melbourne, let her go past them cross back of her to the other side. What does VOYAGER do? Turns straight in front. It takes 3 miles for Melbourne to stop at that speed. Bang. Cut her in half. Totally VOYAGERS fault. RIP men.

[@jimmywrangles]

Do some homework before you post and offend people.

[@reneharkamp4309]

The yanks whistled and the Aussies sacrificed their Man

[@rexwilliams8546]

Vv5

[@mvnorsel6354]

It would never happen today, that sea is off limits, thus saving us further collisions.

[@zacdalziell2912]

melbourne sunk 2 ships by collisions in her life

[@terrywalsh458]

Neither collision were the fault of HMAS Melbourne or its crew!

[@N-Dz-VSKYT]

Politics Ruins Everything all the Time. The timing will play well only with the facetious few that can't recognize a purely political add for votes.

[@g2macs]

The only carrier in Naval history to sink more ships in peacetime rather than during a war.

[@terrywalsh458]

Due to the incompetence of both destroyers Captains, HMAS Melbourne was not responsible for either collision!

[@whateverjones5473]

Nothing new under the sun. In the rescue of the soldiers at Dunkirk, a British destroyer captain deliberately ran aground to save soldiers, and he did. He was treated like trash by the British navy. The US Navy does the same to ours. Is it tradition? No matter what the circumstances, the captain is responsible? Is he supposed to stay awake 24 hours a day? Can he not delegate authority to the people his navy has given him to run his ship? "Let us find a scapegoat. It doesn't matter whether he is guilty or not, we will destroy his reputation to save ourselves any embarrassment." So I feel badly for both captains, neither one of which should have been treated the way they were.

[@greeniemelb]

The Evan's Captain was guilty and should have had the book thrown at him.

[@N-Dz-VSKYT]

WHO is in command of the group? Generally the flagship, largest vessel or of simular description holds senior position. Example, who can give commands to who & who can't reverse the direction? Who was responsible ultimately for the group? If it is true the Commander of the excercise group calls the plans, rules, schedules, logistics, etc. for the entire group. Wouldn't it be logic to hold the one that gets kudos for the good, does so as well for the faux pas's? That is rhetorical. Why, because that is the fact by either Navy. When terrible terrible unintended occurrences happen, that too is attached as well. We are given the right to do as we do. We are also given the responsibility to be examples for the future whether we care to or not. The ones that want to feel good despite good policy will be the true losers. NO VESSEL SHOULD EVER SLACK, PLAY AROUND A CARRIER, TANKER or any such limited less maneuverable or restricted vessel. To the same... the international rules of the road & logic say "if you see something something AVOID something." BOTH VESSELS ARE ALWAYS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLISONS at the go. From that point there maybe mitigation that balances differently as to percentages. Neither can sidestep responsibility. Command of the top of the international group IS responsible along with any key positions below that, within that group. That is not refutable. Not yesterday. Not today. Not ever unless your sadistic. Responsibility of any group always starts at the top. That's why the pay, rewards etc. are always bigger, as are the falls. Face it, those that delve in that direction have huge (ones) to do so. I can only hope the best for Captain Stevenson & what he has endured.

[@klipsfilmsmelbourne]

Boomer jinx

[@maureenwhalen3505]

Leave it to the Americans to try to blame someone else says jimw

[@kwd3109]

The Australian Captain may have gotten a raw deal but it was his own government who threw him under the bus, not the Americans.

[@tdfisk]

Any collision at sea is ALWAYS the fault of both Captains, no exceptions. What really pisses me off is the total disregard for 70 American sailors losing their life, which is far more important than a legal injustice that is very questionable. Cutting the American ship in half takes some pretty good speed even from a small suppot carrier. Why was the Aussie going so fucking fast? Way too many questions and thi9s is way too one-sided. There have been other incidents with the Aussie military that makes me wonder who's side they're on. Sometimes I do wonder if the next time Australia is threatened with invasion like they were from japan, if we should even bother. Thomas

[@Sam-nz1nd]

From an MWOs perspective, the courts-martial of Captain Stevenson acquitted him, whilst the US Navy officers were found to be at fault. If you knew about rules of the sea, you would understand that the larger ship is required to maintain its speed and course, whilst the smaller ship is required to take evasive action, in order to prevent conflicting courses from being taken. The US bridge officers, whilst clearly not intending to put their ship in harms way, were incompetent and thus panicked under the pressure. Referring to these 'incidents' with the Australian military, may I point you to the case of HMAS Hobart II (D 39), in which your USAF pilots intentionally, through a lack of understanding of their combat systems, fired several ASM's at the Hobart, killing several sailors and causing extensive damage. Thus, painting the ADF as a 'rogue' or 'incompetent' organisation is an incredibly disrespectful action towards men and women who have fought proudly and bravely alongside US forces since the dawn of the 20th century and our very statehood, protecting our mutual national interests. I have nothing but the highest levels of respect for both US and Australian military forces, and view both as being two incredibly professional organisations. Yours sincerely, MIDN Richards (RAN)

[@tdfisk]

+Sam Richards What an eloquent backhanded compliment. If you were honest you have said the US Navy are idiots and the Australian Navy are professionals. What's really interesting here is even though the British and Canadians are big critics of America, we have no problem training or operating with them, and I've worked with both. I've also operated with the Canadian Coast Guard to enforce fishing violations off the Canadian Coast. Fortunately I don't have experience with the Australian military, but I've known who have. Without exception, they said Australians were insufferably arrogant constantly trying to tell American commanders how to do things and rarely accepting responsibility for problems. Your response to me is a very good example. As to your claim that a larger ship has right of way is pure bullshit. It's been a long time since I've been to sea, but I do remember international law requires action of both ships. In the Mediterranean my ship (600 ft. long) the attack carrier was headed right toward our midship. We were rudely awoken from our sleep by collision alarms. We weren't even awaked when we got to the main deck in seconds. It's quite the sight seeing a US super carrier headed right between your eyes. BOTH our ship and the carrier did a full turn and we missed each other about 50 feet. If the carrier were that Australian carrier I would probably be dead, considering the Australians like to make their own rules. If the larger ship is suppose to do nothing, we would have 50 times more collisions at sea. What really struck me was the Australian carrier waited until the last minute to order all engines back full. Regardless of what the young officers on the US destroyer did, if the Aussie carrier had taken preventive measures the collision wouldn't have happened. Military Court Martials like this always have diplomats getting involved so our "allies" don't lose face. I've seen this before of Americans being sacrificed to appease an allie. So it's no surprise the Aussie Captain got off scot free and the American officers were the sacrificial lamb. One thing for certain, the whole story isn't being told. If you really are or were a NWO, you weren't a very good one. I'm inclined to think you weren't, considering you don't know basic international law regarding collision courses. Save your compliments, they are not compliments. Thomas

[@Sam-nz1nd]

Clearly you do not know the international rules for avoiding collisions at sea. An excerpt from the JBI, commonly available online, which was published under the influence of a clearly biased Admiral King: "The unanimous decision of the board was that Evans was at fault for the collision. Melbourne was criticised for not taking evasive action sooner, even though doing this would have been a direct contravention of international sea regulations" The fact that again you refer to a situation where your "600ft" vessel was placed in a position of imminent danger only further serves to denigrate the ability of your bridge officers. Again, your comments on the professionalism of the ADF seem misplaced, given you state that you have never exercised with them. What you seemingly fail to realise is that internationally, your military is perceived to be the reckless one, known for committing grave and erroneous war crimes, and many of us could point to drone strikes killing countless civilians etc, however, I am able to acknowledge that in war, mistakes can be mad and unintended consequences can arise. I don't know what your rating was, but you clearly are uninformed, and your refusal to address blatant US mistakes, whilst commenting on our perceived lack of professionalism, which, given your lack of firsthand experience with the ADF, can be nothing more than an uninformed, childish opinion. When I say I respect US forces, I mean it, however, unlike you, if indeed you were the officer of which you speak, all the US sailors and officers I have had the pleasure of meeting shared a sense of mutual respect and camaraderie. Good day to you.

[@tdfisk]

Sam Richards This is way too irrational to argue with you. Your affection and respect of the US military isn't at all convincing and it doesn't make you appear fair about this subject. It's all candy-coated insults. Thomas

[@Sam-nz1nd]

td fisk I don't possess any affection for US military forces, rather, I respect the role they play in facilitating and promoting a stable world order. Your failure to address any of my points clearly highlights how ill suited you are to comment on such a topic.

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

Disgusting treatment of an innocent man, sadly this is not the first time that Americans seem to think that they are beyond reproach when it comes to admitting blame.

[@NatashaBadenov-k1d]

Not the first time that an anti-American poster makes up nonsense and blames "Americans". Please read the facts of the case. The USA blamed the USN destroyer. The USA NEVER blamed the Melbourne for this accident. Are you an actual person or a Chinese AI troll bot?