Difference between revisions of "SS Centaur"
From Our Contribution
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==Soldiers carried== | ==Soldiers carried== | ||
− | ===Adelaide to Fremantle | + | ===Adelaide to Fremantle 29 May - 5 Jun 1942=== |
* [[William John Eric Johnson]] | * [[William John Eric Johnson]] | ||
[[Category:Ships]] | [[Category:Ships]] |
Revision as of 18:21, 14 July 2024
Remarks
Built to operate on the Fremantle to Singapore trade route, which included an ablility to rest on mud flats when the tide was out. It had decks below the water line wider than those above and had a flat bottom, she could simultaneously transport livestock, cargo and passengers. On 26 Nov 1941 she was responsible for 'rescuing' 62 German navy sailors from the Kormoran which had sunk HMAS Sydney seven days earlier, by towing them in small boats behind the ship to Carnarvon, and then onboard with an escort from Carnarvon to Fremantle.
At the beginning of 1943, Centaur was taken over by the Department of Defence for conversion as a hospital ship with the intention of operating between New Guinea ports and Townsville. However, given the number of casualties she undertook the longer voyage to Sydney, requiring further changes which delayed her availability until 12 Mar 1943.
In the early morning of 14 May 1943 when off the northern tip of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, the Centaur was torpedoed, set on fire and was taking on water very quickly, preventing the launch of lifeboats. Many perished immediately, and of the 332 personnel, only 64 were rescued, including only one of the nurses, and one of the doctors. Surviors spent 36 hours in the water using wreckage to stay afloat before being rescued by USS Mugford.