Voyager Royal Commission Cont'd Examines Watch and Collision Risk
The commission notes inadequate watchkeeping on the Melbourne and Voyager observers. Captain Robertson and the navigating officer are cited for not tracking Voyager consistently within 700 to 15000 yards. The report accuses the Melbourne's watch of failing to safeguard against collision and questions the observers' attention on port and starboard movements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert
Ring
Les Voyager
Robert Heard
Stevens
Voyager
Voylager
Robertson
How hatch was forced during the sea collision rescue
The report details the hatch failure and emergency lighting during a naval collision. Three men attempted to open the hatch with wheel spanners and a mop handle as the hatch on the port side was damaged. After about five minutes the hatch was opened, enabling 4 to 12 men in No 4 Mess to escape, with the sequence emphasizing wheel spanner availability and hatch maintainance for emergency access.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Air Spryte
Jervis Bay
Naval Air Station
Nowra
Warning and responses in the Voyager Melbourne incident
The report questions why no warning was given to Voyager and notes that available means of communication could have warned them. It critiques Melbourne’s confidence in maintaining course and speed and cites the need for prudent warning by officers, especially with an inexperienced shipmate aboard. It outlines observations about the watch, captain, and navigation officers, and notes casualties and rescue efforts during the incident.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Justice Spicer
Robertson
Herd
Naval Architect
Veyager
Asken
Melbourne
Voyager
Royal Commis
Escape and Casualties After Ship Collision Amid Suffering
Survivors recount frantic escape from a ship after a collision. About 144 survived, with 28 men escaping from compartments through hatchways as water surged in. Some hatches remained underwater, while others opened only on the port side. Crew tried to shut a hatch, but it buckled and could not be opened. Several escaped via 2C and 4 Mess hatches, aided by Leading Seaman Rich. The rest were trapped in compartments including 2D forward cafeteria and 1D4 sleeping space, with chaos from shifting furniture and a Tombola game paused by the disaster. Chief Petty Officer Rogers aided others amid the crisis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Graham
Senman
Iaham
Iwoland
Anlo
Jager
Com
No. 4
Rich
Rogers
Petty
Brucer Rogers
Cn Et
Also Mentioned on This Page
Treach
Mel Bone
Hatch
Moore
D.j's
Dad
Santos
Ron Cotton
Poplin
Canberra
Great Britain
Aptain
Jone
Kelly
Peek
Stevenson
Marien
Kalliston
Sam
Sussal San
Monaro Mall
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