Breaking Ranks: The True Story Behind the HMAS Voyager Scandal

Description

An extraordinary story with all the elements of an epic thriller- a dramatic naval disaster, tragic loss of life, exploits of bravery, court-room action, political intrigue, cover-ups and conspiracies written by the whistleblower who has finally decided to put pen to paper. There's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. It's taken two Royal Commissions and more than forty years for the original whistleblower, Peter Cabban, to tell the story of The Voyager- Australia's greatest naval disaster. Forty long years to tell the truth - one that the Australian navy and others in government would rather we not know. In 1963, Peter Cabban was second in command on the destroyer HMAS Voyager, under Captain Duncan Stevens. Cabban quite liked Stevens but their relationship was strained. The Captain was a notorious alcoholic - his nickname was "Drunken Duncan". Cabban found it difficult to believe that the navy would continue to entrust Stevens with active command. Cabban eventually left the navy and three months later, during night exercises on February 10, 1964, the Voyager inexplicably turned into the path of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and was sliced in two. Capta

Born in NSW in 1928, Peter joined the R.A.Navy as a Cadet Midshipman in 1942 serving in ships and establishments of the Royal Navy and Royal Aust Navy before specialising as a Fleet Air Arm pilot and maintenance test pilot. In 1962, following an appointment as Exec.Officer of HMAS Sydney, he joined HMAS Voyager as 2IC, resigning 6 weeks before the destroyer met its fate in collision with HMAS Melbourne in Feb1964. In civilian life, Peter was employed as a management consultant, primarily in healthcare management, and formed a non-profit foundation, which he directed for 20 years. He retired from full-time employment in 2004.