General News
8 February, 2024
Service to mourn those lost on the Voyager
MEMBERS of the community are invited to a special wreath laying in Mortlake next weekend.
Members of the South West branch of the Naval Association of Australia will be stopping in Mortlake to lay a wreath in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the HMAS Voyager (II) being lost at sea.
“Members of the association were passing through on their way to Ballarat, and as it fell on such an important date, we extended the offer for them to lay a wreath,” Mortlake Returned and Services League branch president Merv Hampson said.
The occasion will be a special one for Mr Hampson due to his unique connection with the vessel.
During his time with the navy he sailed aboard the HMAS Voyager and is a former president of the Naval Association.
The Voyager was the first daring class destroyer entering the Royal Australian Navy Service, and was commissioned on February 12, 1957 as the beneficiary of design advancements proliferated during World War II.
According to the Australian Navy database, the Voyager now lies 600 fathoms deep after a collision during a training exercise with the HMAS Melbourne (II) off the coast of New South Wales on February 10, 1964.
The HMAS Melbourne struck the Voyager from the side towards the rear of the bridge, momentarily pushing the destroyer through the water before splitting in two.
The larger forward section sank rapidly, with what remained of the smaller rear section sinking around three hours later.
The disaster resulted in 82 lives lost, including 14 officers, 67 sailors and one civilian dockyard employee.
“It was among the biggest peace time disasters in Australian military history,” Mr Hampson said.
The service will be held on Saturday, February 10 at 10.30am at the Mortlake War Memorial, opposite the Moyne Shire Council office.
“All are welcome to come along,” Mr Hampson said.