USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754)
USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754)
On June 3, 1969, USS Frank E. Evans was operating with the Royal Australian Navy off Luzon.
Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne signaled USS Frank E. Evans, which was to port
of the carrier, to take up the rescue destroyer position. The logical movement would be to make
a turn to port and describe a circle taking up station on the carrier's port quarter. Inexplicably,
instead of turning to port, USS Frank E. Evans turned to starboard, cutting across Melbourne's bow
and was cut in half in the ensuing collision. Her bow section sank instantly, taking 74 of her crew
down with it. At the time of the collision USS Frank E. Evans's captain was asleep and the ship was
under command of a junior officer who was not qualified to stand watch, having failed at his
previous board. As a memorial to her lost crew the USN sank the stern section as a target in
Subic Bay October 10 1969.
Link to more pictures and history of USS Frank E. Evans
On June 3, 1969, USS Frank E. Evans was operating with the Royal Australian Navy off Luzon.
Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne signaled USS Frank E. Evans, which was to port
of the carrier, to take up the rescue destroyer position. The logical movement would be to make
a turn to port and describe a circle taking up station on the carrier's port quarter. Inexplicably,
instead of turning to port, USS Frank E. Evans turned to starboard, cutting across Melbourne's bow
and was cut in half in the ensuing collision. Her bow section sank instantly, taking 74 of her crew
down with it. At the time of the collision USS Frank E. Evans's captain was asleep and the ship was
under command of a junior officer who was not qualified to stand watch, having failed at his
previous board. As a memorial to her lost crew the USN sank the stern section as a target in
Subic Bay October 10 1969.
Link to more pictures and history of USS Frank E. Evans