The first aircraft to land on HMAS Melbourne. [43], The report had a disjointed narrative and repeatedly failed to cite the relevant evidence. The impact pushed Voyager through the water laterally for a few seconds, and then she broke in two. The Douglas and McDonnell aircraft companies merged in 1967 so that the Skyhawk was known as the McDonnell-Douglas Skyhawk by the time it entered RAN service. An analysis of his last actions and movements in her book does suggest he was unwell and possibly in pain from a reactivated duodenal ulcer. In the early hours of 3 June 1969, in a manoeuvre almost identical to the near-miss with Larson a few days earlier, the destroyer USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbourne’s bows while attempting to move in the planeguard position, and was cut in two. The British Type 293 surface search set was retained and an LW-02 air-surveillance radar was installed over the bridge. On the evening of 10 February 1964, the two ships were performing manoeuvres off Jervis Bay.

Although Cabban's claims revolved primarily around Stevens' drinking to excess, the second Royal Commission found that Stevens was unfit to command for medical reasons. The Gannet fleet was grounded pending an investigation and was cleared to recommence flying operations on 12 February. LAPHOT Reynolds survived the sinking, however the disaster claimed the lives of 82 crew members of the Voyager.

Since both ships had just completed refits, this was the first time they had been involved in close quarters manoeuvring for almost six months.

Her book also puts forward the view that Captain Stevens ill health was known by 75% of those conducting the Royal Commission in 1964. [37] Swan and Torrens entered service in 1970 and 1971 respectively. The search was abandoned the following day. She once again departed for her South East Asian deployment from Fremantle, with a fleet of warships comprised of HMAS Voyager, HMNZS Royalist, HM Ships Chichester, Cheviot, Cossack and Albion, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Reliant, Resurgent and Olna. [83], On 4 December 2015, it was announced that the support centre for the Canberra-class amphibious assault ships would be named after Robertson. "Voyager", "Royal Commissioners' Report on Voyager Inquiry", "Voyager survivors' compensation all at sea", "What caused the Voyager collision?

[9] Frame states that for this theory to be plausible, the entire bridge crew had to lose the tactical picture at the same time, which he considered to be too improbable.

She participated in the inaugural ANZUK naval exercise GENESIS at the end of March and departed Singapore for Australia on 3 April.

Melbourne maintained a regular program of exercises, training and maintenance over the next few years, including annual deployments to the Asia-Pacific region. Serving in the RAN's flagship had its benefits when it came to recreational activities and keeping fit, with Melbourne's flight deck providing an excellent sporting platform, circa May 1969. [48] The media considered that Robertson had been made a scapegoat for the incident.

Opinions were that the Royal Commission had been poorly handled,[citation needed] and Robertson had been made a scapegoat. Skyhawks conduct a low flypast, 2 September 1971. Thompson and Potts were both killed when their Sea Venom crashed into the sea in 1956. She returned to sea on 11 October to commence workup exercises and shortly thereafter resumed a regular program of exercises, training and maintenance.

Melbourne berthed in Hong Kong, April 1970. Melbourne (Flagship) 3x Daring Class destroyers: H.M.A. Mr Justice Geoffrey Lucas,[note 4] as presiding commissioners investigating the claims made by Cabban. She joined Sydney’s escort group for the final time early in June, and visited Malaysia later in the month before returning home.