| Place | Asia: South China Sea |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01878.015 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film copy negative |
| Maker |
HMAS Melbourne |
| Conflict |
Period 1960-1969 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Commonwealth of Australia copyright |
South China Sea. 1969-06-03. Starboard bow view of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne after the ...
Description
South China Sea. 1969-06-03. Starboard bow view of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne after the collision with the American destroyer USS Frank E Evans in the early hours of the morning. Fortunately for the aircraft carrier, the damage was restricted to the bow section. Seen here is the massive gash; had the same damage been inflicted to the sides of the ship where aviation fuel, ammunition and liquid oxygen were present, the Australian aircraft carrier would most probably have suffered the loss of many of her crew.