Sinking of The Centaur

Sinking of The Centaur

With the Sinking of the Centaur at 4:10am on 14 May, 1943 Australia suffered its greatest lost in Australian waters during World War II. The A.H.S Centaur was torpedoed and sunk off Moreton Island, Queensland, by a Japanese submarine. Moreton Island is only 40klms from Brisbane.

The Centaur was painted white with green strips and large red cross on the sides of the ship, clearing indicating it was a hospital ship. The ships light remained on throughout the night so there was no mistaking it as anything other than a hospital ship.

The Japanese torpedo hit a fuel tank on the port side, near the nurse’s quarters, causing a huge explosion. There was little time for anyone on the ship to do much as it sank within three short minutes.

There were 332 people aboard the ship at the time. Of these, 268 people were killed. All military personnel aboard the Centaur were members of the Army Medical Corps. Eleven of the twelve nurses on board died. Sister Ellen Savage was the sole survivor from the nursing staff. Though severely injured, she helped care for other wounded survivors while they floated in the water on that dark morning. For her heroic actions she was awarded the George Medal.

The remains of the A.H.S Centaur were not discovered until 2009.

Local men who have been identified as having died in the horrendous attack are:
Percy CLEGG
Horace LOWE

More names will be added to this list as their stories are uncovered.

The whole sorry story was summed up by survivor, RSM J.C. Johnston.

“Those fortunate enough to remain to tell the tale remember the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur not as one of adventure but as one of hideous memory that can never be forgotten.”

Source: 1948 – CENTAUR LOSS NO ADVENTURE, Brisbane Telegraph (QLD. : 1948 – 1955), 12 May, p. 5. – Read Here.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.