The Royal Australian Navy today honoured the fallen, the survivors, and the families of the sinking of the destroyer HMAS Voyager II, at a public memorial to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the event.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond attended the memorial service at Voyager Park in Huskisson, New South Wales.
Vice Admiral Hammond said today was an opportunity to come together to remember, to commemorate, and to honour.
“Today is about the courage, the commitment, and the remarkable human spirit shown by the fallen and the survivors of that night on 10 February 1964,” Vice Admiral Hammond said.
“While this incident occurred 60 years ago, time does not dull the weight of this loss.
“Tonight’s service is a powerful reminder that our power at sea is our people, and their shared commitment to making our country safer, stronger and more secure.”
HMAS Voyager II sunk after a collision with aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne II during a night flying exercise in the Eastern Australia Exercise Area.
Eighty-two members of ship’s company were lost in the collision, including 67 sailors, 14 officers, and one civilian dockworker.
The tragedy was the largest loss of life in a peacetime incident in Australian history.
