On this Day – 8.56 pm ,February 10, 1964

HMAS Voyager and HMAS Melbourne collide, Voyager sunk.

This morning I went down to the shores of Jervis Bay and took a couple of photo’s of the memorial dedicated to the men of HMAS Voyager located in Voyager Park at the entrance to Currambene Creek.  I had a conversation with a lady walking her dog  about the memorial,  she said she went by the memorial weekly, and was surprised and unaware of todays significance.     There was nothing to mark the occasion, other than the stark black memorial being warmed by the rising sun.

Two tragic shipping disasters near Jervis Bay have been on a scale which sent shock waves across the whole country and in the latter case around the world. The first  tragedy was the sinking of the S.S Dandenong in 1876 with the loss of 40 lives, many were women and children. The second disaster which shook a nation and has effected so many lives to this day was the loss of HMAS Voyager in 1964. Today is the anniversary of that disaster and we should all take some time to remember not only the  young sailors that lost their lives 54 years ago,  but also the survivors of this tragedy off Jervis Bay who’s lives were changed forever.  HMAS Melbourne underway with the Daring class destroyers Voyager and Vendetta in 1959 REF: http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-voyager-ii

On the 11th February the world awoke to the news the destroyer HMAS Voyager and the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne had collided during night time exercises 19 miles off Jervis Bay. The 3,658 tonnes, Voyager was sliced in two when she crossed in front of the 20,322 tonnes, Melbourne.   HMAS Voyager’s for’ ard section sunk within 10 minutes and the after section 3 hours later,  82 sailors were killed,  mostly in the for’ ard section,  making it the worst peacetime disaster in naval history. Continue reading.

Bow of the Melbourne.  (The National Library of Australia/Australian Women's Weekly)

The museum has an amazing video presentation about the incident, come along and take the time to watch and listen to this moving tribute to the people involved.

S.S Dandenong - Continue Reading.

Voyager Park Huskisson.

Opened on April 22nd 1972

‘good old friends of yore”

In a time when we can travel at great speeds in comfort from place to place, have all manner of entertainment at our fingertips, have conversations instantly with friends from every part of the globe at the press of a button, this story takes us back to an era where time and fun and community was seen in a completely different way.  I hope you take the time to enjoy this story…I did.

The lighthouse keepers and their families lived in isolation in meager accommodation on top of the exposed cliffs of Cape St George headland,   tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the lighthouse, monitoring passing ships in all weather,  aid in their safe passage along the dangerous and rugged coast.   The occupants of the lighthouse must have been very happy to have a visitor call in every now and then and break the monotony, and receive news from the colonies. This story from the Shoalhaven Telegraph August 1892, is full of joy and good spirits, and speaks of a simpler time, it’s about a group of friends that make a surprise visit to the lighthouse. Harry Parker, principal keeper at the time.

To the weary voyager across the vast Pacific,  who see’s naught to relieve his monotony,  nothing is so gladdening as the sight of land which reminds him that home is not far distant;  hope springs within his eternal breast,  rising like a giant pillar till it reaches the summit of his ambition.  Not less jubilant is he than were the residents of Cape St George lighthouse on the evening of Friday, 5th August, when to their astonishment entered some two dozen visitors – several others,  including your humble scribe,  entering at a later hour - from Nth Huskisson, St Georges basin,  Erowal, Bherwerre, and Sydney.  The event had been mooted several weeks previously.  but owing to circumstances could not be accomplished till above date.  Perfect secrecy was maintained with a view of thoroughly bombarding the enemy,  in this case one not hostile to such proceedings. The day opened rather gloomily,  as also the day previous,  but Mr Sun,  now and then sent fourth his splendour,  gladdening the hearts of one and all.  But in the afternoon at the appointed hour of starting,  our hearts almost sank within us when the sky became overcast,  and a very heavy storm passed,  but inclined to the west.  However,  a start was effected.  Having travelled at least 13 miles of the worst vehicular roads in the colony,  we alighted in order to satisfy our craving appetites,  and to arrange the attack. Rain threatening we lost no time in resuming our journey in order to bombard the enemy between lights,  having posted our sentry at an earlier date,  and who proved equal to the occasion. The first residence of the Keepers in sight was that of the principal,  Mr Parker,  Who along with his family and our sentry,  were having pleasant reminiscences over the tea table.  Not a foot was heard,  and as if ordained by Providence,  the canine species were all indoors.  We eagerly alighted,  entered premises by pioneer entrance,  and with loud “hoorahs”  announced our arrival.  The inmates were astounded,  each and everyone helter skelter to witness the scene,  Parker even blessing the victuals to which he was partaking owing to misrepresenting his garments for his mouth. Some vowed we were from foreign parts,  others from the city,  and elsewhere's.  but in our gentle demeanor we were soon detected as ‘good old friends of yore”  and were made welcome.  We spent no time in illuminating the room,  and ridding it of it’s contents, piano, etc,  going to adjoining room, where we began operations as true warriors alone can do.  Travel where you may,  you could not find a happier assemblage,  as evidenced by their smiling countenances,  and by the familiar,  yet graceful demeanor of the ladies,  than when no worthier could be found,  not omitting the names of the three keepers,  their worthy spouses and families who joined the assemblage as soon as circumstances permitted.  To those who indulged in the ‘'”terpsichorean art”  a suitable floor was at their disposal,  and not long was it before they indulged in the light fantastic.  Music,  concertina,  being supplied by several of the company,  including our sentry.  The talented “Gus” was ever on the alert at the piano. Several of the company not being equal to the occasion,  at least in the aforementioned art,  several intermissions were made,  interspersed with many amusing games,  causing much merriment at times. Not less amusing were the pranks of our worthy hostess,  and a talented Boniface  by title “Jack”  from Sydney,  in recruit of health.  Several songs were ably rendered during the night,  many comics' relieving the monotony of sentimental on such occasions.  Punctually at 12 p.m an adjournment was made for refreshments,  and I need hardly say,  were partaken of with much gusto,  recipients dooming edibles A1. The former program was then resumed and was kept up until daylight,  the only regret expressed,  that the night had elapsed far to soon. Refreshments were again provided,  after which the company again assembled to sing  ‘Auld Lang Syne,” and “For he’s a jolly good fellow,”   after which one and all separated for their respective homes. Many expressions were made regarding the event,  that not a more enjoyable company,  nor a more satisfied one had ever assembled at Cape St George, as evidenced by the host and hostess the outcome of which  I trust will be the re-assemblage of a similar nature on some future occasion,  not only in the above tone,  but in true meaning of the expression, With hearty congratulations, au revoir

The exposed cliffs and ruins of the Cape St George lighthouse, bathed in light from the morning sun.

Voyager Park Memorial.

On this day 1972 April 21
The opening of Voyager Park, Huskisson as a memorial to the Voyager disaster (10th February, 1964) by C J Hines, RSL State President.

The Museum has a display and audio visual presentation of the tragic circumstances surrounding the collision.

Continue Reading.
http://www.ladydenmanmuseum.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/voyager-disaster.html

HMAS Melbourne and Voyager collide.

February the 10th 1964
On this fateful night, a tragic moment in local maritime history occurred.
This painting on display at the museum, depicts the tragic moment of impact when the two Australian Navy Ships collided 19 miles to sea off Jervis Bay.

  Donated by D.Haward – B.Ballantyne (EX CPO’s R.A.N)

HMAS Voyager   (Daring Class Destroyer)	HMAS Melbourne

On the evening of 10 February 1964, the two ships were performing manoeuvres off Jervis Bay. Melbourne's aircraft were performing flying exercises, and Voyager was tasked as plane guard: sitting behind and to port (left), in position to recover the crew of any crashing aircraft. After a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of the two ships, Voyager ended up ahead and to starboard (right) of the carrier. The destroyer was ordered to resume plane guard position, which would involve turning to starboard, away from the carrier, then looping around behind. Instead, Voyager began turning starboard, then came around to port. The bridge crew on Melbourne assumed that Voyager was zig-zagging to let the carrier pass and then assume position, while senior personnel on Voyager were not paying attention to the manoeuvre. At 20:55, both ships realised that Voyager was not turning away, but despite both captains attempting to evade, the speed and heading of both ships made collision inevitable.

	Melbourne struck Voyager at 20:56, with the carrier's bow hitting just behind the bridge and cutting the destroyer into two pieces. Of the 314 aboard Voyager, 82 were killed, most of whom died immediately or were trapped in the heavy bow section, which sank after 10 minutes. The rest of the ship sank after midnight. Melbourne, although damaged, suffered no fatalities, and was able to sail to Sydney the next morning, with most of the Voyager survivors aboard - the rest had been taken to the naval base HMAS Creswell. Biography of the Royal Commission into the incident.
	Part of the exhibit with an audio visual presentation of the “Voyager Incident”
	A poignant reminder. Part of the exhibit is this chair recovered from the Melbourne plucked from the sea on the 13th Feb 1964, three days after the collision. If you look under the chair it still has an inscription from the Melbourne clearly visable

Voyager disaster.

10th Feb 1964
Marks the anniversary of one of the biggest peace time naval tragedies involving the Australian Navy occurring 19 miles to sea off Jervis Bay.
On this fateful night the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and the destroyer HMAS Voyager collided during Naval training exercises.
The Voyager was cut in half and 82 lives were lost.