tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post8221019139887333319..comments2024-03-08T05:30:03.420-05:00Comments on Coffeypot: USS FRANK E EVANS DD754 - Her StoryCoffeypothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02944074653548750642noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-32527240716080205352011-11-25T18:47:54.563-05:002011-11-25T18:47:54.563-05:00As an ex member of the RAN and being on the Melbou...As an ex member of the RAN and being on the Melbourne in 1969 when we hit the Frank.E.Evans , it was a horrible sight and sound of having her for'ad section slide past us with all the Men onboard yelling , crying and screaming for thei lives , and us on the flight deck of Melbourne not being able to do anything about it except to keep my team fuelling the choppers for rescue operations .What an absolute waste of good lives , and I feel so sorry for all the Families left behind . It is something that still gives me nightmares , and will most certainly never foget it .millview41https://www.blogger.com/profile/01990164443452650130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-3481869979306191812011-11-13T13:32:41.339-05:002011-11-13T13:32:41.339-05:00On Veteran's Day 2011, I entered a search on m...On Veteran's Day 2011, I entered a search on my cousin's name and the Evans. This is the site I found. Thank you Coffeepot for filling in some of the blanks in this tragic story.<br /><br />To the Annonymous post on May 25th, Jon Stever was my cousin. You are correct that his twin brother still lives in California.<br /><br />The last time Jon and I went fishing in the Eastern Sierras was when he met the girl he became engaged to before entering OCS. Sometime prior to the accident, they broke their engagement. I visited Linda the day it was confirmed that Jon was lost. I thought I owed that to Jon.<br /><br />Given Jon's duty assignment I knew that his stateroom was in the bow. Your story about the ladder, door and chief's actions is the first I've heard of that account.<br /><br />I know Jon was proud of the Navy and his commission. I also know, from experience, that he had a little bit of devil in him. I hope those on the Evans saw both sides.<br /><br />Thank you for keeping the story alive.RickSteverhttp://www.thestevers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-78318157260188119452011-08-04T02:02:15.497-04:002011-08-04T02:02:15.497-04:00I am alive only cuz my dad, Steven J. Myers surv...I am alive only cuz my dad, <b> Steven J. Myers </b> survived this disaster. He is still alive and well... lives in Vallejo, CA.John Myershttp://www.pro3d.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-88357056816529272682009-05-27T18:37:10.972-04:002009-05-27T18:37:10.972-04:00Anomyous, thanks for commenting. I have met the m...Anomyous, thanks for commenting. I have met the mother, wife and son of the Sage boys, and they are all fine people. If you start a blog please let me know so I can follow your entries.Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-69833835656107019392009-05-27T17:56:42.083-04:002009-05-27T17:56:42.083-04:00i enjoyed reading your story brought more informat...i enjoyed reading your story brought more information to me than i knew about i am a cousin to the sage brothers from niobrara bill sage crofton nebraskaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-83050246468845213002009-05-25T11:44:26.932-04:002009-05-25T11:44:26.932-04:00Jon Stever was a young Ensign on board. He was onc...Jon Stever was a young Ensign on board. He was once my roommate In O.C.S. at Newport, RI in 1967-8. We were class Mike 6805. I believe that he had a twin brother....in California as I recall.<br /><br />I heard that he died on the Evans from another classmate that I just happened to run into in a bar in Japan shortly after the accident. I was shocked and cried.<br /><br />I saw the Evans at Subic a few weeks later. It was amazing. It looked like the bow had been cut off with a Skill saw...so clean and neat. I heard that she was being towed out for gunnery practise in the near future.<br /><br />Someone told me that four JOs were trapped in their small stateroom forward because a ladder had not been propwrly secured and jammed their cabin door shut. I heard days later in a local hangout that two chiefs struggled with the ladder even as the bow started to go down and only escaped as it went under. I do not know if the story was true, but I believe it to be. I expect that my roommate was one of the four. So very sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-11477503619365855122009-01-27T23:34:00.000-05:002009-01-27T23:34:00.000-05:00That story was reasonably correct,but your Captain...That story was reasonably correct,but your Captain was found guilty but only received a reprimand. Also he lost a Son onboard Evans .I was there and did speak to your Captain.When we got him onboard Melbourne,he was covered in blood and oil,but stayed and spoke to us prior to going on the bridge .<BR/>It was indeed a sad day for all of us especially when having to stand and watch the forward section go down and there is nothing you can do to help. The early morning was very quiet except for the Human noises as she went down.<BR/>It is someting I will never forget and dream about it most nights .<BR/>Peter.millview41https://www.blogger.com/profile/01990164443452650130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-39382988901810734782008-11-20T09:19:00.000-05:002008-11-20T09:19:00.000-05:00I served on board from April 1956 to June 1957. T...I served on board from April 1956 to June 1957. This was my third duty station, and was I proud to be at GQ in mount 51. The West Pac cruise was the highlight of my Carreer. I made SK3 aboard her. I had made Chief and was stationed at GTMO and in charge of C&SS when a FN came in with a chit for a new seabag and it had USS Frank E. Evans (DD754) on it. That is when I was made aware of what had happened. I am now in the process of putting togeaher a log of my duty stations, and all information on my 20 Year career. I was stunned with the great coverage that is available on the internet, and believe me it brought back memories of great times, and sadness of the end. Jim Bourke SKC, USN (Retired)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-57340874022392503342008-04-25T10:50:00.000-04:002008-04-25T10:50:00.000-04:00Anonymous, thank you for your comments and I thank...Anonymous, thank you for your comments and I thank your dad for all he did. Australia has since recognized the tragedy and has been very gracious to our organization. We have been in Melbourne for one reunion and have plans to return in a couple of years for another reunion. I can tell your dad was a true hero because he didn't brag about his service. He just did his job the best he could and made the world a better place. I have sent a prayer his way.Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-3721032778473820042008-04-25T05:52:00.000-04:002008-04-25T05:52:00.000-04:00My dad was a Chief Petty Officer, onboard the HMAS...My dad was a Chief Petty Officer, onboard the HMAS Melbourne the night of the collision. He was damage control and was one of those brave men who jumped in to save the sailors. He as since passed away, but we were unaware of his citations until his service record was released to my mother after he died. The Australian public was never told the truth about what happened, we were told it never happened, but my mother has the photos to prove it. My father and many others had to live with the terribly memories for the rest of their lives. I say a prayer for all those involved and a have a special place in my heart for the Captain of the Melbourne. Thank you. "Lest we Forget"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-91539007766389076882007-11-23T21:48:00.000-05:002007-11-23T21:48:00.000-05:00Dear coffeypot, I just read your story,it was real...Dear coffeypot, I just read your story,it was really heart warming to hear something about the Evans. My father was a chief petty officer on board the Evans for 2 hitches.He became a recruiter in 1963 and moved to Ukiah,Ca.and finished his career in 1969. I remember when he heard the news of the accident his heart was broken.That was his ship and he had loved serving on her.His name was Robert Eugene Dick.He was in the boiler room.Thanks Again.darbydick@Yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-57678511656786035472007-11-18T09:58:00.000-05:002007-11-18T09:58:00.000-05:00A sensitive, sad and compelling story. Biker Budd...A sensitive, sad and compelling story. Biker Buddy read this and was very interested and engaged.Mary Stebbins Taitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10626507461216769140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-65860309913114218252007-11-07T20:38:00.000-05:002007-11-07T20:38:00.000-05:00oops. i'm emailing right now.oops. i'm emailing right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-55047061016251550042007-11-07T01:00:00.000-05:002007-11-07T01:00:00.000-05:00amy, thanks for commenting and I'm sorry about you...amy, thanks for commenting and I'm sorry about your brother. You did not leave a link to your site so if you will email me the name of the ship, I would love to read about it. johnjudyc@comcast.netCoffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-46413598933138007112007-11-06T18:53:00.000-05:002007-11-06T18:53:00.000-05:00Thanks, Coffeypot, for writing the story. I know t...Thanks, Coffeypot, for writing the story. I know the families of the survivors appreciate it too. My brother was in the US Navy, and he was killed in what I believe was the largest peace-time accident in US Navy history. (I'd have to double check that fact.) I love to hear the stories of his ship and the sailors who served on her as much as I loved to hear my brother talk about his ship while he was still alive. Those stories are the closest I have to him and his service since his death.<BR/><BR/>I don't write about my brother on my blog because I'm not looking to be found, and the other family members are internet-junkies. If you are interested to know what ship it was, email me. Meanwhile, thanks again. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-24434531704069847732007-11-06T07:31:00.000-05:002007-11-06T07:31:00.000-05:00This is so beautiful and you tell it wonderfully. ...This is so beautiful and you tell it wonderfully. Thank you for sharing...hugs! SkippySkippyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479661523059481730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-61518872996751838442007-10-27T18:14:00.000-04:002007-10-27T18:14:00.000-04:00Zoomtopz, thank you for all you did that night. Yo...Zoomtopz, thank you for all you did that night. You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Instead, you should be proud because there are two good men alive because of what you did. That, in my book, makes you a hero. I believe they had a good life, too. Besides, most of the survivors I have talked to believe that everyone in the water was rescued by either one of your boats, a helo or someone like you going in after them. Well done, mate.Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-66397989352298907632007-10-27T03:13:00.000-04:002007-10-27T03:13:00.000-04:00Thanks Coffeypot:I wason Melb th nite of collision...Thanks Coffeypot:<BR/>I wason Melb th nite of collision.<BR/>I never went to any reunions -<BR/>util th 30th in Sydney .<BR/>As you said to grizzbabe - I still<BR/>carry a lot of survivor guilt .<BR/>You see out of all th calls for<BR/>help I could only rescue 2 men .<BR/>I have not seen them since . I sure<BR/>hope they are ones who have had a<BR/>great life .<BR/>ZoomtopzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-17928380497957805122007-10-18T15:58:00.000-04:002007-10-18T15:58:00.000-04:00KG, thank you and I am glad you enjoyed the story....KG, thank you and I am glad you enjoyed the story. I was not on the ship when she went down, but I have friends who were, and I will not take any credit for their sacrifice and heroism. And any book I write about my life would be more of a short story and would put an insomniac to sleep.<BR/><BR/>Tell me, how did a senior and PSU find a little coffeypot blog? Are you a history major, and do you have your own blog?<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your senior year. It will be the longest year of your life, and, after graduation, you will look back on it as you’re shortest.Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-24876054109228233312007-10-18T15:38:00.000-04:002007-10-18T15:38:00.000-04:00Mr. Coffeypot,I am a senior at Portland State Univ...Mr. Coffeypot,<BR/><BR/>I am a senior at Portland State University. I love history and your first hand accounts about your life during such turbulant times are great..I wish you would write a book. <BR/><BR/>KG in Portland OregonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-33372445465610569272007-10-17T22:12:00.000-04:002007-10-17T22:12:00.000-04:00jmhc - whom ever you are, thank you for your kind ...jmhc - whom ever you are, thank you for your kind words. Sometimes I surprise myself. But I don't have the ability to put into words how I feel about all those guys (in a macho, straight, mano a mano, masculine sort of way.)Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-32583160445868868772007-10-15T18:55:00.000-04:002007-10-15T18:55:00.000-04:00To be such a humerous person, when it comes to rea...To be such a humerous person, when it comes to reality, you certainly tell your story well, with tenderness and obvious respect for all involved. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-78527291345330759822007-10-15T10:12:00.000-04:002007-10-15T10:12:00.000-04:00Yes, there is a lot of sadness in this story. You...Yes, there is a lot of sadness in this story. You should hear the stories from the families who lost their love ones that night. Dying is the easy part. It’s the ones left behind that has the truly difficult time. But it is not all sad. <BR/><BR/>It is so inspirational to sit with these guys and marvel at how they overcame (not all, but most) that night and grew into successful family men. Some are mechanics, some are farmers and ranchers, some are corporate heads, and some are retired. A couple of them made the Navy a career, and are now involved with their new careers. That’s why I respect these guys so much. They did not sit around and feel sorry for themselves or ask for handouts. They got own with their lives and, as some said, tried to become a better person for those who could not.<BR/><BR/>And yes, Heidi, the jobs the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard perform is very dangerous. Every minuet of every day there is a sailor at sea, an airman in the air and a soldier walking a perimeter somewhere in the world. And all of them know the dangers and accept it as part of their job. They are truly my new heroes. Yes, there are a few bad eggs in the group, but almost all are just brave young men and women making a difference, and forming friendships that can last a lifetime.Coffeypothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601474604616163167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-91210714872768156512007-10-15T08:35:00.000-04:002007-10-15T08:35:00.000-04:00There's nothing like this in my family background....There's nothing like this in my family background. In m husband's family there are a few WW1 stories but nothing as gripping as this.<BR/><BR/>I can't imagine how much responsibility sailors have every day! It really does take bravery. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing.Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31409757.post-66264746063383826542007-10-14T23:17:00.001-04:002007-10-14T23:17:00.001-04:00A great story, told by a great storyteller.A great story, told by a great storyteller.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com