Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur^[1] was a hospital ship during World War II, which was attacked and sunk by a Japanese submarine in 1943. Of the 332 medical personnel and crew aboard, 268 were killed or lost. Image File history File linksMetadata Centaur_(AWM_043235). ... The British Red Ensign. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Shipping. ... Image File history File links Civil_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Civil_Ensign_of_Australia. ... Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited, often referred to simply as Scotts, were a British shipbuilding company based in Greenock, Scotland, on the River Clyde. ... View west over Greenock with the Golden Princess at Clydeport Ocean Terminal. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point, or a point alongside the ship at the mid-point of its length. ... The draft of a ships hull is the vertical distance from the bottom of the hull to the waterline. ... hp, see HP (disambiguation) The horsepower (hp) is the name of several non-metric units of power. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a name primarily used to refer to the water-cooled . ... The Paravane is a form of towed underwater glider. It was developed by Cdr Usborne and Lt Burney financed by Sir George White, founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. ... Degaussing is the process of decreasing or eliminating an unwanted magnetic field. ... USNS Comfort takes on supplies at Mayport, FL enroute to Gulf Coast. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

The Scottish-built vessel was launched in 1924 as a combination passenger liner/freighter, and operated a trade route between Western Australia and Singapore via the island of Java, carrying passengers, cargo, and livestock.^[1][2] Centaur served in both civilian and military capabilities, and during her career was involved in the rescue of a Japanese whale-chaser in 1938, and the discovery of German survivors of the engagement between HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran in 1941.^[3][4][5] Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006)  - Population  2,050,900 (4th)  - Density  0. ... Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... A whaler (or whale catcher) is a specialized kind of ship, designed for catching whales. ... Combatants Australia Nazi Germany Commanders Joseph Burnett Theodor Detmers Strength One light cruiser, HMAS Sydney. ...

Following her early-1943 conversion to a hospital ship, Centaur served with the Second Australian Imperial Force for a limited time, making only one journey into a combat zone.^[6][7] In the early morning of 14 May 1943, while on her second voyage, Centaur was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine offshore of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland.^[6][8] The majority of the 332 aboard died in the attack, and the 64 survivors had to wait for 36 hours before they were rescued.^[9][10] The attack was considered by many to be a war crime, and resulted in public outrage.^[11] Protests were made by the Australian and British governments to Japan, and efforts were made to discover the people responsible so they could be tried at a war crimes tribunal.^[12][13] Despite this, it was not until 1979 that the attacking submarine, I-177, was identified.^[14] USNS Comfort takes on supplies at Mayport, FL enroute to Gulf Coast. ... The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) was the name given to the volunteer units of the Australian Army in World War II. The 2nd AIF was formed, from 1939 onwards, to fight overseas: most army units were Militia (reserve) units and under Australian law at the time, Militia troops... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... A modern torpedo, historically called a locomotive torpedo, is a self-propelled projectile that (after being launched above or below the water surface) operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. ... NASA satellite view of southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ...

The events surrounding the sinking of Centaur are controversial, as it has been attested that she may have been in breach of the international conventions that should have offered her protection.^[15] Efforts to locate the final resting place of the ship have been made, but with the exception of a false identification made in 1995 and standing until 2003, the location of Centaur is still unknown, as is the reason for the Japanese attack.^[16]

Design and construction

Original design

In early 1923, the Ocean Steamship Company (better known as Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line) decided that a new vessel would be required to replace the aging Charon on the West Australia to Singapore trade route.^[1] The vessel had to be capable of transporting passengers, cargo, and livestock simultaneously.^[1] She also had to be capable of resting on mud flats out of the water as the tidal variance in ports at the northern end of Western Australia was as great as eight metres.^[17] The Blue Funnel Line was founded by Alfred Holt on the 16 January, 1866. ... Motto: Cygnis Insignis (Distinguished by its swans) Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Governor Premier Const. ... Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006)  - Population  2,050,900 (4th)  - Density  0. ...

Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Greenock, Scotland was chosen to construct Centaur.^[1] The ship's keel was laid on 16 November 1923, with the ship ready for collection by 29 August 1924.^[1] Centaur was designed to carry 72 passengers and 450 cattle.^[2] Cargo was carried in four holds, and while the two decks within the hull were primarily for livestock, they could instead be used as additional cargo space.^[1][18] The hull of the ship was of the 'turret deck' design; the underwater decks being wider than those above water, and the reinforced flat bottom allowing the ship to rest on the ground without damage.^[1] Centaur was amongst the first civilian vessels to be equipped with diesel engines.^[19] One of the most visible characteristics was the 35 ft (10.5 m) smokestack, the extreme size of which was more a concession to tradition than of practical advantage on a diesel-powered vessel.^[1] Centaur was constructed at a cost of £146,750 pounds sterling.^[1] Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited, often referred to simply as Scotts, were a British shipbuilding company based in Greenock, Scotland, on the River Clyde. ... View west over Greenock with the Golden Princess at Clydeport Ocean Terminal. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic)1 Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Turret Deck Ship refers to a type of late 19th century commercial ship designed to minimize Suez Canal fees that were based on deck area. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... ISO 4217 Code GBP User(s) United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies Inflation 3. ...

In December 1939, Centaur underwent a minor refit in Hong Kong, receiving a new propeller and having a supercharger fitted to the engine.^[20] The supercharger broke down in April 1942, and due to wartime shortages and restricted dockyard capacity, was unable to be repaired.^[21] A supercharger (also known as a blower) is an air compressor used to force more air (and hence more oxygen) into the combustion chamber(s) of an internal combustion engine than can be achieved at ambient atmospheric pressure. ...

Hospital ship refit

At the beginning of 1943, Centaur was placed at the disposal of the Australian Department of Defence for conversion to a hospital ship.^[22] The conversion was performed by United Ship Services in Melbourne, Australia, and was initially estimated to cost £20,000 Australian pounds.^[23] The Department of Defence is an Australian government department. ... USNS Comfort takes on supplies at Mayport, FL enroute to Gulf Coast. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... The Australian pound was Australias currency from 1910 to 1966. ...

The cost increased to almost £55,000, for a variety of reasons.^[23] Originally, it was intended that the ship's voyages be from ports in New Guinea to Townsville in Queensland, Australia.^[23] Increasing casualty numbers in the New Guinea campaign meant that the hospitals in Queensland would quickly become unable to deal with the quantity and the injuries of the casualties, so a longer voyage to Sydney was required.^[23] The Army demanded that additional facilities and conversions be added to the original plans, such as expanded bathing and washing facilities, hot water available to all parts of the ship through installation of a calorifier, the rerouting of all steam pipes away from patient areas, and ventilation arrangements suitable for tropical conditions.^[23] The unions representing the ship's crew requested improved living and dining conditions, including new sinks in the food preparation areas and the replacement of flooring in the quarters and mess rooms.^[23] Townsville in 2004. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... A trio of propane water heaters. ...

When AHS Centaur was relaunched on 12 March 1943, she was equipped with an operating theatre, dispensary, two wards (located on the former cattle decks), a dental surgery, along with quarters for seventy five crew and sixty five permanent Army medical staff.^[24][25] To maintain the ship's mean draught of 6.1 metres, 900 kilograms of iron stone was distributed through the cargo holds as ballast.^[23] AHS Centaur was capable of voyages of 18 days before resupply, and could carry just over 250 bedridden patients.^[26] March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (72nd in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Black-band ironstone, 2. ... Look up ballast in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Operational History

1924 to 1938

When Centaur entered service at the end of 1924, the Fremantle-Java-Singapore trade route was being serviced by two other Blue Funnel Line vessels; Gorgon (which remained in service until 1928) and Charon (which Centaur was replacing).^[3] Centaur's route ran from Fremantle, up the Western Australian coast to the Bali Strait, Surabaya, Semarang, Batavia and Singapore.^[17] During her service, Centaur filled the profiles of both a tramp steamer and a freight liner, as while she travelled a set route, stops at ports located along that route varied between journeys.^[3] From 1928 until an unknown point in the 1930s, Centaur remained alone on her route.^[3] An increase in trade along this route prompted Blue Funnel Line to reassign Gorgon and assign a new Charon to work alongside Centaur.^[4] Fremantle is a city located within the Perth metropolitan area on Australias western coast, at the mouth of the Swan River, 19 kilometres south from Perths Central Business District. ... Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... The Blue Funnel Line was founded by Alfred Holt on the 16 January, 1866. ... Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006)  - Population  2,050,900 (4th)  - Density  0. ... Bali Strait is a strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java. ... Surabaya (formerly Soerabaja) is Indonesias second-largest city, and the capital of the province of East Java. ... Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. ... Jakarta (also Djakarta or DKI Jakarta), formerly known as Sunda Kelapa, Jayakarta and Batavia is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. ... A tramp steamer, or tramp for short, is any ship which does not have a fixed schedule or published ports of call. ... A cargo ship sailing on a regular schedule, as opposed to a tramp ship. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ...

A highlight of Centaur's pre-war career was the rescue of the 385 ton Japanese whale-chaser Kyo Maru II in November 1938.^[27] Kyo Maru II had developed boiler problems while returning from the Antarctic, and was drifting towards the Houtman Abrolhos Archipelago, in danger of being wrecked by the reefs in the area.^[3] Centaur responded to the distress signal, and was able to easily tow Kyo Maru II to Geraldton, Western Australia.^[3] A whaler (or whale catcher) is a specialized kind of ship, designed for catching whales. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Houtman Abrolhos and their surrounding coral reef communities, lie sixty km west of Geraldton, Western Australia (, ) and form a unique marine area. ... Location of Geraldton, Western Australia Geraldton ( ) is a city and port in Western Australia located 424 km north of Perth. ...

1939 to 1942

Survivors from HSK Kormoran under tow in Centaur's lifeboats

As a vessel of the British Merchant Navy, Centaur was affected by the British Parliament's 1939 outline of how the Merchant Navy would respond to the declaration of war, primarily submission to the Admiralty in all matters excluding the crewing and management of vessels.^[4] Following the outbreak of World War II on 3 September 1939, Centaur was equipped with a stern mounted 4 inch Mark IX naval gun, two .303 Vickers machine guns located on the bridge wings for protection against Axis warships and aircraft. She was also fitted with port and starboard paravanes and degaussing equipment for protection againstnaval mines.^[28] The weapons were removed during the hospital ship refit, although the anti-mine countermeasures remained.^[29] Centaur initially remained in service on her original trade route.^[4] Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Kormoran taking on stores from a supply boat at Kiel, Germany, in late 1940, prior to commencing operations against Allied shipping. ... The British Red Ensign. ... Flag of the Lord High Admiral The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... The Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a name primarily used to refer to the water-cooled . ... A bridge wing is a narrow walkway extending outward from both sides of a pilothouse to the full width of a ship. ... The Paravane is a form of towed underwater glider. It was developed by Cdr Usborne and Lt Burney financed by Sir George White, founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. ... Degaussing is the process of decreasing or eliminating an unwanted magnetic field. ... Polish wz. ...

On 26 November 1941, a damaged lifeboat carrying 62 Kriegsmarine sailors and officers was spotted by a search aircraft looking for HMAS Sydney; the aircraft directing Centaur to the lifeboat.^[30] Upon encountering the lifeboat. food was lowered to its 62 occupants, while one person was allowed onboard to explain the situation.^[5] Initially posing as a Norwegian merchant navy officer, the man quickly revealed that he was the first officer of the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, and that the lifeboat contained crew, officers, and Captain Theodor Detmers, sunk following her battle with HMAS Sydney seven days earlier.^[5] November 26 is the 330th day (331st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... The Kriegsmarine (or War Navy) was the name of the German Navy between 1935 and 1945, during the Nazi regime, superseding the Reichsmarine. ... HMAS Sydney in 1940. ... The Kormoran taking on stores from a supply boat at Kiel, Germany, in late 1940, prior to commencing operations against Allied shipping. ... Combatants Australia Nazi Germany Commanders Joseph Burnett Theodor Detmers Strength One light cruiser, HMAS Sydney. ...

Unwilling to leave the shipwrecked men at sea, but afraid of having his ship captured by the Germans, Centaur's Master decided to take the lifeboat in tow, after taking on nine wounded men.^[31] During the tow towards Carnarvon, Western Australia, the lifeboat was swamped and partially sunk by rough seas.^[31] Two lifeboats were lowered from Centaur, which the Kormoran crew transferred into, before the journey resumed.^[31] On arrival in Carnarvon, the Germans were placed in the number one cargo hold, where they were detained.^[31] An additional 100 survivors from Kormoran, collected by other ships, were loaded aboard Centaur, along with 40 Army guards.^[5] They were transferred to Fremantle, and placed in a prisoner of war camp, whey they spent the rest of the war.^[5] Master Mariner is the official title of someone qualified to command a ship; the qualification is colloquially called a Masters Ticket. The term was introduced in the mid 19th century, and is usually held by the chief officer/first mate as well as the captain). ... Carnarvon jetty. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of the Malayan Campaign on 7 December 1941, Centaur's run was curtailed to Broome, Western Australia.^[21] On 6 October 1942, Centaur was ordered to sail to Queensland, where she began runs between the east coast of Australia and New Guinea, carrying war materiel.^[32] Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN), Mitsuo Fuchida (IJNAS), Shigekazu Shimazaki (IJNAS) Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 planes 6 aircraft carriers, 9 destroyers, 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 8... Combatants British Army, Indian Army, Australian Army, Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Arthur Percival Tomoyuki Yamashita Strength 140,000 70,000 Casualties 5,000 killed, 50,000 prisoners of war no more than 34,000 The Battle of Malaya was a conflict between a Commonwealth army... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Broome () is a pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley in the far north of Western Australia. ... October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on January 18 1815 (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

1943

Following Japan's entry into World War II, it became clear that the three hospital ships currently serving Australia, AHS Manunda, AHS Wanganella, and Dutch vessel Oranje were inappropriate for operating in the shallow confines of Maritime Southeast Asia and primarily from small, temporary ports.^[22] Of the Australian Merchant Navy vessels able to operate in this region, none were suitable for conversion to a hospital ship.^[22] A request was sent to the British Ministry of Shipping, who responded on 4 January 1943 by placing Centaur at the disposal of the Australian Department of Defence.^[22] The conversion work began on 9 January, and Centaur was commissioned as an Australian Hospital Ship on 1 March.^[9] Data on the ship's identifying markings and the layout of features such as funnel and masts was provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross during the first week of February 1943, who in turn provided the information to the Japanese on 5 February.^[9] Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The hospital ships of Australia were all staffed primarily by the Army Medical staff. ... During the 1930s, TSMV Wanganella was a top-rated trans-Tasman passenger liner, with accommodation for 304 First Class and 104 Second Class passengers. ... Angelina Lauro, formerly known as , was a passenger liner and later cruise ship that was lost when it sank in Taiwan, on September 24, 1979. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Malay Archipelago. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Shipping. ... In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the transport network. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... For other uses, see DOD. The Department of Defence is an Australian Department of State. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. ... February 5 is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

During her conversion, Centaur was painted with the markings of a hospital ship as detailed in Article 5 of the 10th section of the Hague Convention of 1907; white hull with a green band interspersed by three red crosses on each flank of the hull, white superstructure, multiple large red crosses positioned so that the ship's identity would be visible from both sea and air, and the identification number 47 on the bows.^[33] At night, the markings were illuminated by a combination of internal and external lights.^[34] The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of international law. ...

Centaur entered operation as a hospital ship on 12 March 1943.^[6] The early stages of Centaur's first voyage as a hospital ship were test and transport runs; the initial run from Melbourne to Sydney had caused the Master, Chief Engineer, and Chief Medical Officer to compose a long list of defects requiring attention.^[35] Following repairs she conducted a test run to transport wounded servicemen from Townsville to Brisbane, to ensure that she functioned as intended, and was capable of fulfilling the role of a medical vessel.^[6] Once this had been ascertained, Centaur was tasked with the delivery of medical personnel to Port Moresby, New Guinea, returning to Brisbane with Australian and American wounded, along with a small number of wounded Japanese prisoners of war.^[7] March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (72nd in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... Townsville in 2004. ... This article is about the Australian city. ... Port Moresby town Port Moresby, (), population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ...

Arriving in Sydney on 8 May 1943, Centaur was re-provisioned at Darling Harbour, before departing for Cairns, Queensland on 12 May 1943.^[36] From there, her destination was again New Guinea.^[36] On board at the time were 74 crew, 8 army officers, 12 army nurses, 45 other army personnel, 192 soldiers from the 2/12th Field Ambulance, and 1 Torres Strait ship pilot.^[37][38] All of the Army personnel aboard were medical staff.^[39] May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Darling Harbour is a large recreational pedestrian precinct situated on the western edge of central Sydney, Australia. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The 2/12th Field Ambulance was an Australian military unit of the Second Australian Imperial Force, serving during World War II. During their six years of service, over 200 soldiers were killed, the highest figure for a non-combatant unit in Australian history. ... The Torres Strait - Cape York Peninsula is at the top; several of the Torres Strait Islands can be seen strung out towards Papua New Guinea (North is downwards in this image) The Torres Strait is a body of water which lies between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. ... left|Signal flag H(Hotel) - Pilot on Board Boarding is tricky, as both vessels are moving and cannot afford to slow down. ...

Sinking

Events

At approximately 4:10 a.m. on 14 May 1943, while on her second run from Sydney to Port Moresby, Centaur was torpedoed by an unknown and unsighted submarine.^[40] The torpedo struck the portside oil fuel tank approximately two metres below the waterline, creating a hole eight to ten metres across, igniting the fuel, and setting the ship on fire from the bridge aft.^[37][41] Many of those onboard were killed by concussion or burned to death immediately.^[42] Centaur quickly took on water through the impact site, rolled to port, then began to sink bow-first in several hundred metres of water,^[2] submerging completely in less than three minutes.^[37] The rapid sinking prevented the deployment of lifeboats, although two broke off from Centaur as she sank, along with several damaged liferafts.^[10][43] May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... Port Moresby town Port Moresby, (), population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ...

Centaur is recorded to have sunk at a point 24 nautical miles east-northeast of Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland.^[8] The estimated position was extrapolated from the dead reckoning position calculated at 4:00 a.m. by Second Officer Richard G. Rippon at the end of his watch, and taking into consideration Centaur's course and estimated speed at the time of the attack.^[44] Point Lookout is a headland and small coastal village located on eastern side North Stradbroke Island. ... NASA satellite view of southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Dead reckoning (DR) is the process of estimating ones current position based upon a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon measured velocity, time, heading, as well as the effect of currents or wind. ... Watchstanding, or watchkeeping, in nautical terms concerns the division of qualified personnel to operate a ship continuously around the clock. ...

Survivors

Of the 332 persons onboard at the time of the sinking, only 64 survivors were rescued.^[46] At the time of the attack, most of the crew and passengers were asleep, and had little chance to escape.^[10] It was estimated that up to 200 people may have been alive at the time Centaur submerged.^[47] Several who made it off the ship were later killed by shrapnel or burning fuel-oil.^[48] Others, unable to find support, drowned.^[47]

The survivors spent 36 hours in the water, using barrels, wreckage, and the two damaged lifeboats for support.^[10] During this time, they drifted approximately 19.6 nautical miles north east of Centaur's calculated point of sinking, spreading out over an area of two nautical miles.^[9][49] During this time, several ships and aircraft were seen by the survivors, but despite efforts to attract attention, none stopped.^[50]

At the time of rescue, the survivors had gathered into two large and three small groups, with several more floating alone.^[9] Amongst those recovered were Sister Ellen Savage, the only surviving nurse from 12 aboard, Leslie Outridge, the only surviving doctor from 18 aboard, Richard G. Rippon, second officer and most senior surviving crewmember, and Richard Salt, the Torres Strait ship pilot.^[46][51][52] The Torres Strait - Cape York Peninsula is at the top; several of the Torres Strait Islands can be seen strung out towards Papua New Guinea (North is downwards in this image) The Torres Strait is a body of water which lies between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. ... Signal flag H(Hotel) - Pilot on Board Boarding is tricky, as both vessels are moving and cannot afford to slow down. ...

In 1944, Ellen Savage was presented with the George Medal for her role during the 36 hour wait for rescue; providing medical care, boosting morale, and displaying great personal courage.^[53] The George Medal (GM) is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. ...

Rescue

Sister Ellen Savage was the sole survivor of the 12 female nurses on board Centaur at the time of the ship's sinking

On the morning of 15 May 1943, American destroyer USS Mugford departed Brisbane to escort the 11,063 ton New Zealand freighter Sussex on the first stage of the latter's trans-Tasman voyage.^[54] At 2:00 p.m., a RAAF Avro Anson providing an anti-submarine watch for the two vessels spotted an object on the horizon, which on inspection by the two crew was revealed to be a group of shipwreck survivors.^[55] The aircraft signalled Mugford and communicated by aldis lamp that survivors were in the water and required rescuing.^[55] Mugford's CO, Lieutenant Commander Howard Corey ordered Sussex to proceed alone, while Mugford began to collect the survivors, learning from the first group that they were from Centaur.^[55][56] Marksmen were positioned around the ship to shoot sharks, and seamen stood ready to dive in and assist the wounded.^[57] Mugford's medical officer was present to inspect each person as they came aboard, and provide necessary medical care.^[57] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... USS Mugford (DD-389), a Bagley-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for James Mugford, who commanded the schooner Franklin in the Continental Navy, serving through 1775. ... Brisbane (pronounced ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia, with a greater metropolitan population of 1. ... fuck you Map of the Tasman Sea Satellite photo of the Tasman Sea The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, some 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) across. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces during World War II and afterwards. ... An Aldis lamp is a visual signalling device, essentially a focussed lamp which can produce a pulse of light. ...

The rescue of the 64 survivors took an hour and twenty minutes, although no one could be certain that there were not additional survivors.^[58] Mugford remained in the area until dark, covering an area of approximately 7 by 14 nautical miles in search of survivors.^[55] At 2:14 p.m., Corey made contact with the Naval Officer-in-Charge in Brisbane and advised him of the situation, making it the first time anyone in Australia was aware of Centaur's fate.^[59] After darkness fell, Mugford returned to Brisbane, arriving shortly before midnight with the 64 survivors.^[59] Later searches of the waters off North Stradbroke Island were made by USS Helm during the night of 15 May until 6:00 p.m. on 16 May and by HMAS Lithgow and four motor torpedo boats from 16 May until 21 May, with neither search resulting in the discovery of additional survivors.^[9][60] NASA satellite view of southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. ... External links History of Helm Navy Photos of Helm (DD-388) USS Helm, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack Categories: Bagley class destroyers | World War II ships ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (137th in leap years). ... HMAS Lithgow (J206/M206), named for the city of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia was a Bathurst class corvette built by Morts Dock and Engineering at Balmain, New South Wales, launched on 21 December 1940 and commissioned on 14 June 1941. ... Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB) was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the US and Royal Navies. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (137th in leap years). ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ...

Attacker

At the time of the attack, none of Centaur's witnessed who or what had attacked the ship. However, due to the position of Centaur at the time of the attack; the distance off the coast and the depth of water, it was undeniable that she was torpedoed by one of the Japanese submarines known to be operating off the Australian east coast at the time.^[10] During the 36 hours spent adrift, several survivors claimed after the event to have heard the attacking submarine moving on the surface.^[61] The submarine was visually sighted by the ship's cook, Francis Martin, who was floating alone and out of sight from the main groups at the time, on a hatch cover.^[61] Martin described the submarine to Naval Intelligence following the survivors' return to land; his description matching the profile of a Kaidai class submarine of the Imperial Japanese Navy, specifically of the KD7 type.^[61] At the time of the attack, three KD7 Kaidais were operating off Australia's east coast; I-177, I-178, and I-180.^[10] None of these submarines survived the war; I-177 was sunk by USS Samuel S. Miles on 3 October 1944,^[62] I-178 by USS Patterson on 25 August 1943,^[63] and I-180 by USS Gilmore on April 26, 1944.^[64] The Kaidai class was a class of submarines operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy before and during World War II. All Kaidai class sumbarines originally had a two digit hull number, from I-51 onwards. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... The Kaidai class was a class of submarines operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy before and during World War II. All Kaidai class sumbarines originally had a two digit hull number, from I-51 onwards. ... A propaganda poster calling on Australians to avenge the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by the Japanese submarine I-177 in May 1943. ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... USS Patterson (DD-392), a Bagley-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Daniel Todd Patterson, an officer of the US Navy that served in the Quasi-War with France, First Barbary War, and the War of 1812. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (117th in leap years). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

In December 1943, the Japanese Government issued a statement formally denying responsibility for the sinking of Centaur.^[14] Records provided by the Japanese following the war also did not acknowledge responsibility.^[63] It was speculated that I-178 or I-180 was responsible; the former was considered to be more likely as she had served in Australian waters the longest of any other Japanese submarine at the time, but had claimed no kills in the three month period surrounding Centaur's sinking.^[63] Identification of the attacking submarine was not made possible until 1979, when Volume 83 of the official Japanese War History Series stated that I-177, under Lieutenant Commander Hajime Nakagawa, was the responsible vessel.^[14] Nakagawa survived the war, having been transferred from I-177 to I-37 in September 1943.^[65]

Although a war crime, Nakagawa was not tried for the sinking of a hospital ship, as despite a series of investigations between 1944 and 1948, the Allies were unable to establish beyond reasonable doubt which submarine had been responsible for the attack on Centaur.^[66] During the investigation, many of the Japanese officers who had commanded submarines in Australian waters were interrogated, including Nakagawa on three seperate occasions.^[66] The Centaur case file was closed on 14 December 1948, with no direct proof as to the identity of the responsible submarine.^[67] It was not opened again by any of the Allied Governments.^[67] He died in 1991.^[61] In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

Reaction

A propaganda poster calling for Australians to avenge the sinking of Centaur

Image File history File linksMetadata Centaur_(ARTV09088). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Centaur_(ARTV09088). ...

Public reaction

The sinking of Centaur was announced to the media on 17 May 1943, but were ordered not to release the news until it had been announced in Parliament by Prime Minister John Curtin.^[68] The announcement was made on the afternoon of 17 May.^[69] News of the attack made front pages throughout the world, including The Times, The New York Times, and the Montreal Gazette.^[70] May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (138th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... John Curtin (8 January 1885 – 5 July 1945), Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II. Many Australians regard him as the countrys greatest political leader and greatest Prime Minister. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (138th in leap years). ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. ... Offices of The Gazette on Saint Catherine Street in Montreal The Gazette, often called the Montreal Gazette to avoid ambiguity, is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Montreal, Quebec. ...

The initial public reaction to the news of the attack on Centaur was one of outrage, significantly different to that displayed when Royal Australian Naval vessels had been lost, or even when merchant ships had been sunk in Australian waters.^[71] As a hospital ship, an attack was a breach of the tenth section of the Hague Convention of 1907, and as such was a war crime.^[11] The sinking of Centaur drew strong reactions from General Douglas MacArthur and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin. General MacArthur reflected the common Australian view when he stated that the sinking was an example of Japanese "limitless savagery".^[72] Curtin stated that the sinking was "an entirely inexcusable act, undertaken in violation of the convention to which Japan is a party and of all the principles of common humanity".^[73] Politicians urged the public to use their rage to fuel the war effort.^[74] The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of international law. ... In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ... Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 - April 5, 1964), was an American general who played a prominent role in the Pacific theater of World War II. He was poised to command the invasion of Japan in November 1945 but was instead instructed to accept their surrender on September 2, 1945. ... John Curtin (8 January 1885 – 5 July 1945), Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II. Many Australians regard him as the countrys greatest political leader and greatest Prime Minister. ...

People also expressed their sympathy towards the crew, and several efforts began to fund a new hospital ship.^[74] The councillors of Caulfield, Victoria organised a fund to replace the lost medical equipment, starting off with £2,000.^[74] Those who worked on the conversion to hospital ship contributed money towards a replacement, and employees of Ansett Australia pledged to donate an hour's pay towards the fitting out of such a replacement.^[74] Caulfield is a suburb of Australia, in the state of Victoria. ... Ansett Australia or Ansett was a major Australian domestic and international airline, flying passengers around Australia and to destinations in Asia at its height in 1996. ...

Centaur became a symbol of Australia's determination to win a war against what appeared to be a brutal and uncompromising enemy.^[75] The Australian Government produced posters depicting the sinking from mid-1943 which called for Australians to "Avenge the Nurses" by working to produce materiel, purchasing war bonds, or enlisting in the armed forces.^[75] An American War Bonds poster from 1942 War bonds are a type of savings bond used by combatant nations to help fund a war effort. ...

Military reaction

The attack was universally condemned by Australian servicemen.^[76] It was commonly believed that the attack on Centaur had been carried out deliberately and in full knowledge of her hospital ship status.^[76]

Six days after the attack on Centaur, a request was made by the Australian Department of Defence that the identification markings and light be removed from Australian hospital ship Manunda, weapons be installed, and that she begin to sail blacked out and under escort.^[77] Although initially ordered to perform the conversion, efforts by the Department of the Navy, the Admiralty, and authorities in New Zealand and the United States of America caused the completed conversion to be undone.^[77] The cost of the roundabout work came to £12,500, and left Manunda out of service for three months.^[78] On 9 June 1943, communications between the Combined Chiefs of Staff on the subject of hospital ships contained a section refering to this incident, with the conclusion that the attack on Centaur was the work of a irresponsible commander, and that it would be better to wait until further Japanese attacks had been made before considering the removal of hospital ship markings.^[79] The hospital ships of Australia were all staffed primarily by the Army Medical staff. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) was the supreme military command for the western Allies during World War II. It was a body constituted from the British Chiefs of Staff Committee and the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff. ...

Official protests

After consultation with the Australian armed forces, General MacArthur, the Admiralty and the Australian Government sent an official protest to the Japanese, which passed its way through diplomatic channels to the Japanese Government, and was received on 29 May 1943.^[12] At around the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross sent a protest on behalf of the main Allied Red Cross organisations to the Japanese Red Cross^[12] Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 - April 5, 1964), was an American general who played a prominent role in the Pacific theater of World War II. He was poised to command the invasion of Japan in November 1945 but was instead instructed to accept their surrender on September 2, 1945. ... Flag of the Lord High Admiral The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. ... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. ... The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. ...

On 26 December 1943, a response to the Australian protest arrived.^[78] It stated that the Japanese Government had no information justifying the allegation made, and therefore took no responsibility for what happened.^[78] The reply then counter-protested that nine Japanese hospital ships had been attacked by the Allies.^[78] Although several later exchanges were made these did not resolve the matter and the British informed the Australian Prime Minister on 14 November that no further communications would be made on the loss of Centaur.^[80] December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 361st in leap years. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ...

Munitions rumour

Unable to believe that the Japanese would be so ruthless, a rumour began to spread that Centaur had been carrying munitions or commandos at the time of her sinking, and that the Japanese were aware of this.^[81] This rumour stemmed from the fact that the members of the 2/12th Field Ambulance had brought rifles and sidearms onboard, as part of their equipment, when loading at Sydney, causing them to be mistaken by observers for standard infantry.^[81] The wharf labourers and some of the ship's crew believed that if Centaur was carrying armed soldiers, she would also be carrying munitions or other war supplies, with the former refusing to complete loading and the latter refusing to sail.^[82] Centaur's Master and Chief Medical Officer obtained the reassurance that ambulance drivers were allowed to carry weapons under the Hague Convention of 1907 (specifically Article 8), as they were used "for the maintenance of order and the defence of the wounded".^[36] The cargo loaded was inspected for additional weapons or munitions, with none found.^[83] For other uses, see Commando (disambiguation). ... The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of international law. ...

Reasons for attack

The attack on Centaur was not an isolated incident. Between June 1942 and December 1944, a total of 27 Japanese submarines operated in Australian waters.^[84] These submarines attacked or sunk almost 50 merchant vessels, with 20 sinkings confirmed to be the result of a Japanese attack, and an additional 9 unconfirmed.^[84] This was part of a concentrated Japanese effort to destroy supply convoys travelling between Australia and New Guinea.^[85] A propaganda poster calling on Australians to avenge the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by the Japanese submarine I-177 in May 1943. ...

Several actions on Centaur's part may have contributed to her demise. Centaur was under orders to sail well out to sea until reaching the Great Barrier Reef, with positions between 50 and 150 nautical miles from the coast given.^[86] Upon consideration, and with the belief that they had been given a route intended for a merchant vessel, Centaur's Master ordered the course be changed to one much closer to land, staying on the seaward side of 2,000 metres in depth.^[87] Also, Centaur was sailing completely illuminated, with the exception of the two bow floodlights.^[37] They had been switched off as they were interfering with visibility from the bridge.^[37] The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest coral reef system,[1][2] composed of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 2,600 kilometres (1,616 mi) and cover an area of approximately 344,400 km².[3][4] The reef is located in the...

There are three main theories as to why Centaur was attacked:

Centaur in breach

This theory stems from the munitions rumour and similar rumours spreading after Centaur's sinking. If Centaur had been in breach of the Hague Convention of 1907, and someone had informed the Japanese of this, I-177 may have been under orders to attack.^[15] When Centaur left Sydney, her decks were packed with green-uniformed men, and as Field Ambulance uniforms were only distinguishable from other Army uniforms by badge insignia and the colouration of the cloth band ringing the hat, a distant observer could conclude that the outbound hospital ship was carrying soldiers.^[88] If a spy or informant had transmitted that information to the Japanese, I-177 could have been lying in wait.^[15] The main flaw in this theory is the question of how Nakagawa and his crew were able to predict that Centaur was taking an alternate route, and how they were able to determine the new route selected.^[89] The Hague Conventions were international treaties negotiated at the First and Second Peace Conferences at The Hague, Netherlands in 1899 and 1907, respectively, and were, along with the Geneva Conventions, among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the nascent body of international law. ...

Similar but later rumours included that during her first voyage, Centaur had transported soldiers to New Guinea, or Japanese prisoners of war back to Australia for interrogation, and as such was marked as a legitimate target by the Japanese.^[90] Centaur had carried 10 prisoners of war on her return voyage from New Guinea, but they were wounded.^[91] Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

Nakagawa unaware

This theory states that Nakagawa was unaware that the vessel he was attacking was a hospital ship, and that the sinking was an 'unfortunate accident'.^[92] This view was supported by several Japanese officers, both before and after the revelation that Nakagawa was responsible.^[92] Amongst them was Lieutenant Commander Zenji Orita, who took command of I-177 after Nakagawa.^[92] Orita did not hear anything from the crew about having sunk a hospital ship, not even rumours, and later claimed that if I-177 had knowingly attacked Centaur, he would have heard something.^[92]

When compared to the other contemporary Australian hospital ships, Centaur was by far the smallest, slightly more than a third of the size of Manunda or Wanganella.^[22] Centaur was also slightly shorter in length than I-177.^[76] The observation of Centaur was made through a periscope, and some submarine officers attest that at 1,500 metres, the optimum range of attack for World War II Japanese submarines, some officers would not be able to identify the target ship's class or pennant number.^[93] With Centaur's bow floodlights out, and with the observation of the target made through the periscope, there is a possibility Nakagawa would not have seen the hospital ship's markings if he had been in 'the right position'.^[93] The hospital ships of Australia were all staffed primarily by the Army Medical staff. ... The hospital ships of Australia were all staffed primarily by the Army Medical staff. ... During the 1930s, TSMV Wanganella was a top-rated trans-Tasman passenger liner, with accommodation for 304 First Class and 104 Second Class passengers. ... Principle of the periscope. ... HMS Leeds Castle, launched in 1943 as a corvette with pennant number K384, was redesignated a frigate in 1948 and given the new flag superior F as seen here. ...

However, apart from the two bow floodlights, Centaur was lit up brilliantly.^[89] To attack, I-177 would have had to approach from abeam of Centaur, with the latter illuminated by both its own lights and a full moon.^[93]

Nakagawa aware

This theory states that Nakagawa was fully aware that his target was a hospital ship and, of either his own initiative or his poor interpretation of his orders, decided to sink her regardless.^[94] Why he chose to do so is a question he has on multiple occasions refused outright to respond to, even to defend himself or deny the accusation.^[95] Researchers speculate that as Nakagawa was approaching the end of his tour in Australian waters, and had only sunk a single enemy vessel, the 8,742 ton freighter Limerick, he did not want to return with the disgrace of a single kill.^[37] His orders to machinegun the survivors of three British merchant vessels he had sunk showed that he was willing to ignore the laws of war.^[65] Nakagawa may have been acting in vengeance for the Allies atrocities at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, or have expected praise for the sinking of an enemy naval vessel.^[96] Nakagawa's refusal to speak on the subject, coupled with his 1991 death, mean this question can never be answered. The two parts of the laws of war (or Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)): Law concerning acceptable practices while engaged in war, like the Geneva Conventions, is called jus in bello; while law concerning allowable justifications for armed force is called jus ad bellum. ... The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. ... Combatants United States, Australia Empire of Japan Commanders George C. Kenney Masatomi Kimura Strength 39 heavy bombers; 41 medium bombers; 34 light bombers; 54 fighters 8 destroyers, 8 troop transports, 100 aircraft Casualties 2 bombers, 3 fighters destroyed 8 transports, 4 destroyers sunk 20 fighters destroyed, 5,000 troops killed...

Shipwreck

Following World War II, several cursory searches of the waters around North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island failed to reveal Centaur's location. It was believed that she had sunk off the edge of the continental shelf, to a depth the Royal Australian Navy did not, and still does not, have the capability to search for a vessel of Centaur's size.^[16] Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... NASA satellite view of southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. ... Moreton Island is the island in the top-right of this satellite image Moreton Island from above the waters of Moreton Bay Moreton Island is a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of south-east Queensland, Australia. ...  Sediment  Rock  Mantle  The global continental shelf, highlighted in cyan The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent, which is covered during interglacial periods such as the current epoch by relatively shallow seas (known as shelf seas) and gulfs. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ...

In 1995, it was announced that the shipwreck of Centaur had been located in waters nine nautical miles from the lighthouse on Moreton Island, a significant distance from her believed last position.^[97] The finding was reported on A Current Affair, during which film of the shipwreck 170 metres underwater, which was claimed by discovered Don Dennis had been checked by the Navy, the Queensland Maritime Museum, and the Australian War Memorial to establish the identity of the vessel.^[97] A cursory search by the Navy confirmed that there was a shipwreck at the given location, which was gazetted as a war grave and added to navigation charts by the Australian Hydrographic Office.^[16][97] 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Moreton Island is the island in the top-right of this satellite image Moreton Island from above the waters of Moreton Bay Moreton Island is a large sand island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay, on the coast of south-east Queensland, Australia. ... A Current Affair is a Fox network television show that ran for 10 years from 1986 to 1996 and is reappearing in 2005. ... HMAS Diamantina K-377. ... The eternal flame at the heart of the Memorial keeps the spirit of the fallen alive The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organizations who have died in the wars of the Commonwealth of... A british term for announcing something such as defining the borders of a park reserve. ... A war grave is a place where war dead are buried. ... The Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service is the agency of the Australian Commonwealth Government responsible for the mapping and surveying of undersea terrain and irregularities on and under the waters surface (known collectively as hydrography). ...

In 2003, on the 60th anniversary of the sinking, the newsmagazine show Sixty Minutes were preparing a segment on Centaur when they discovered that the shipwreck claim was false. In the previous eight years, Dennis had been convicted in Victoria for fraud, and wreck divers had inspected the vessel, claiming it to be too small to be Centaur.^[97] It was revealed that nobody the Queensland Maritime Museum had yet seen the footage, and when it was shown to Museum president Rod McLeod and maritime historian John Foley, they stated that the shipwreck could not be Centaur, as the rudder was incorrectly shaped.^[97] Following this story, the Navy sent three ships to inspect the site over a two month period; HMA Ships Hawkesbury, Melville, and Yarra, before concluding that the shipwreck was incorrectly identified as Centaur.^[16] An amendment was made to the gazettal, and the Hydrographic Office began to remove the mark from charts.^[16] 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A newsmagazine, sometimes called news magazine, is a usually weekly magazine featuring articles on current events. ... 60 Minutes premiered February 11, 1979. ... Victoria may refer to: // Victoria of the United Kingdom, aka Queen Victoria, former British monarch Victoria (Australia), a state in Australia Victoria, British Columbia, the capital of the Canadian province Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory Victoria may also refer to: Victoria (name) Main disambiguation page: Victoria of the United... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... HMAS Melville is the second ship of the Leeuwin Class of Hydrographic Survey vessels of the Royal Australian Navy. ...

It was speculated by Sixty Minutes that the wreck was the 55 metre long Kyogle, a lime freighter purchased by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1951 and used for bombing practice on 12 May 1951.^[97] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

Memorials

Centaur memorial, Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland.

A memorial to Centaur was unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the sinking, 14 May 1993, at Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland. It consists of a monumental stone topped with a cairn, surrounded by a tiled moat with memorial plaques explaining the commemoration. The memorial is in turn surrounded by a park with a boardwalk, overlooking the sea, that has plaques for other ships lost during World War II, including both Merchant and Royal Australian Navy ships. A total of 34 ships were attacked off the east coast of Australia by ships, submarines, and naval mines; of these 13 were torpedoed but did not sink; of the 4 struck by mines, 1 sank. The unveiling of the memorial was performed by Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Senator John Faulkner. In addtion to Australian survivors and local dignitaries, a contingent from USS Mugford travelled from the United States for the event. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Lighthouse at Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland - a memorial to Lieutenant James Cook of HM Bark Endeavour who named the Point and described the area during the voyage of 1770. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Lighthouse at Point Danger, Coolangatta, Queensland - a memorial to Lieutenant James Cook of HM Bark Endeavour who named the Point and described the area during the voyage of 1770. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Australian Senate chamber Entrance to the Senate The Senate is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia. ... John Philip Faulkner (born 12 April 1954), has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian Senate since April 1989, representing the state of New South Wales. ...

Although the memorial at Point Danger is considered to be the primary commemoration of the incident, numerous other tributes were made prior to 1993, many of which still exist. 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

In 1948, Queensland nurses established the "Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses", using the money raised to purchase an establishment and name it "Centaur House"; a facility supporting nurses by holding convivial meetings and providing inexpensive accommodation for out-of-town nurses.^[98] The original Centaur House was sold in 1971, and a new building was purchased and renamed.^[99] The second Centaur House was sold in 1979, and although the fund still exists, it no longer has a physical facility.^[99] On 15 September 1968, a cairn was unveiled at Caloundra, Queensland, erected by the local Rotary International Club.^[100] In 1990, a stained glass memorial window and plaque listing the names of those lost in the attack was installed at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, at a cost of $16,000.^[101] A display about Centaur was placed at the Australian War Memorial.^[102] The centrepiece of the display was a scale model of Centaur, presented by Blue Funnel Line, and several items were donated for display by the survivors, including a lifejacket, a signal flare, and a medical kit, were donated. ^[103] It was removed in 1992 to make way for a display related to the Vietnam War.^[102] 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... For the magazine see Cairn Magazine. ... Caloundra () is the southern-most community on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. ... Rotary International is an organization of Rotary Clubs (service clubs) located all over the world (more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas). ... MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ... Strictly speaking, stained glass is glass that has been painted with silver stain and then fired. ... Concord Repatriation General Hospital, or commonly Concord Hospital, is located on Hospital Road in Concord. ... The eternal flame at the heart of the Memorial keeps the spirit of the fallen alive The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organizations who have died in the wars of the Commonwealth of... The Blue Funnel Line was founded by Alfred Holt on the 16 January, 1866. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

See also

• Axis naval activity in Australian waters
• List of Australian Hospital Ships

A propaganda poster calling on Australians to avenge the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur by the Japanese submarine I-177 in May 1943. ... The hospital ships of Australia were all staffed primarily by the Army Medical staff. ...

Bibliography

• Adam-Smith, Patsy (1984). Australian Women at War. Melbourne: Thomas Nelson Australia, p 174. ISBN 0-17-006408-5. 
• "A Grave Mistake". Richard Carleton (reporter). 60 Minutes. Nine Network. 2003-05-18. Transcript.
• Australian Department of Defence (2003-06-29). Navy findings of search for ex Army Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
• Sinking of the Centaur - Commemoration. DVA.gov.au - Commemorative Publications. Australian Government - Department of Veteran's Affairs (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
• "Gilmore". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Vol. 3: p 100. (1968). Washington DC: Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center. LCC VA61.A53. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 
• Frame, Tom (2004). "The continent under threat: 1942-1945", No Pleasure Cruise: the story of the Royal Australian Navy. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, pp 186-187. ISBN 1-74114-233-4. 
• Gill, G. Hermon [1968]. "The Supply Lines Battle", Royal Australian Navy, 1942-1945 (PDF), Australia in the war of 1939-1945, Series 2, Volume II, Canberra: Australian War Memorial, pp 257-260. NLA registry number Aus 68-1798. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 
• Jenkins, David (1992). "The Sinking of the Centaur", Battle Surface! Japan's Submarine War Against Australia 1942-44. Milsons Point: Random House Australia, pp 277-287. ISBN 0-09-182638-1. 
• McKernan, Michael (1983). All In! Australia During the Second World War. Melbourne: Thomas Nelson Australia, pp 134-135. ISBN 0-17-005946-4. 
• Milligan, Christopher; Foley, John (2003). Australian Hospital Ship Centaur - the myth of immunity. Hendra: Nairana Publications. ISBN 0-646-13715-8. 
• Smith, A. E. [1991] (May 1992). Three Minutes of Time - the torpedoing of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, Second Printing, Miami: Tasman Press. ISBN 0-646-07631-0. 
• Stevens, David (June 2005). "Appendix V", A Critical Vulnerability: The Impact of the Submarine Threat on Australia’s Maritime Defence (1915-1954) (PDF), Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs (No. 15), Canberra: Sea Power Centre, p 358. ISBN 0-642-29625-1. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Richard Carleton Richard Carleton (born 1943 in Bowral, New South Wales, died 7 May 2006 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania) was an Australian television journalist most noted for his work on 60 Minutes. ... 60 Minutes premiered February 11, 1979. ... The Nine Network is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (139th in leap years). ... For other uses, see DOD. The Department of Defence is an Australian Department of State. ... A news release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS for short) is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every ship ever used by the United States Navy. ... Library of Congress reading room The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a system of library classification developed by the Library of Congress. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... The Right Reverend Associate Professor Tom Frame (b. ... A group photo of the authors of the Official History of Australia in the War of 1939–1945 (AWM 044512) The Official History of Australia in the War of 1939–1945 is a 22 volume series covering Australias involvement in the Second World War. ... National Library of Australia National Library of Australia as viewed from Lake Burley Griffin The National Library of Australia is located in Canberra, Australia. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (135th in leap years). ...

References

Footnotes

1. ^  Also correctly referred to as 2/3rd AHS Centaur or AHS 47.^[24] Also incorrectly referred to as HMAS Centaur^[71] or HMAHS Centaur.^[24]
2. ^  As the exact location of Centaur's point of sinking is uncertain, different depths are given in different sources. Battle Surface! gives the depth as 550 metres,^[37] while Three Minutes of Time states the depth as 1,800 metres.^[61]
3. ^  Crew figures include the Torres Strait pilot assigned to Centaur.