I was on the USS Sample FF 1048, an escort on the aft starboard quarter of the MIDWAY during very bad weather in the South China Sea. I was on watch being relieved at 1945 hours when my port lookout advised the bridge to what appeared to be a ship way too close to MIDWAY. Within minutes, we were at Rescue detail, ready to drop motor whaleboat if needed. Visibility was ZERO- and the Tanker was carrying huge logs if memory serves me, now all in the sea lanes. We escorted the tanker to safe anchorage, and escorted the MIDWAY back to Subic. Regrettably, 3 MIDWAY crewmembers died from the port side collision.