One moment—
the ships were sailing normally.
The next—
Australia faced one of its worst peacetime naval disasters.
On February 10, 1964, the destroyer HMAS Voyager collided with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne off the coast of New South Wales.
The impact tore the vessel apart.
Sailors were thrown into the sea.
And a desperate nighttime rescue operation began in darkness.
The tragedy shocked the nation and became one of the most significant disasters in Australian naval history.
For many Australians, it remains a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly catastrophe can unfold at sea.
Year & Place — Off Jervis Bay, New South Wales — 1964
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The only aircraft carrier in history to sink 2 friendly ships by ramming them.
