Going back to Dec. 7, 2008, Courier Mail.
Ted Graham, whose foundation found the HMAS Sydney wants the discovery of the final resting place of the Australian Hospital ship Centaur to be an Australian one. The government of the country is giving $4 million for the search for the Centaur which was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine east of Moreton and North Stradbroke islands. Two hundred and sixty-eight people lost their lives, including eleven nurses.
Martin Pash is one of only three-living survivors of the 64 rescued, has said the ship was brightly lit at the time of the attack with a large red cross on the side when the torpedo hit at 4:10 am.
Of course, the ship has since been found by British undersea explorer David Mearms.
A Great Story. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Centaur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Centaur. Show all posts
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Centaur and Sydney Finder Awarded Medal
From November 1st Adelaide Now (Australia).
When David Mearns and his team found the HMAS Sydney in March 2008 they jumped around like children. "It was absolute euphoria," said Mearns.
Just under two years later, a similar thing happened when they discovered the final resting place of the AHS Centaur.
At the same, the finds gave closure to hundreds of Australian families who knew their loved ones were most likely dead, but didn't know where.
David Mearns received the Medal of the Order of Australia.
He is director of Blue Water Recoveries and under his direction they've found more than fifty wrecks.
They found the wreck of the Sydney March 16, 2008, leaning slightly over to starboard 2.5 kilometers deep on the floor of the Indian Ocean about 100 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. Four days earlier, they had found the wreck of the German raider Kormoran which sank after sinking the Sydney in a tremendous firefight. All 645 crew members on the Sydney lost their lives. The search for the Sydney covered over 1,500 square nautical miles, more than ten times the area involved in the search for the Titanic.
This past January 10th, they found the AHS Centaur which had been torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-177 off the Queensland coast in 1943, despite obviously being a hospital ship. Of a crew of 332, loss of life numbered 268. The remaining 64 were rescued by an American destroyer after floating on wreckage for 36 hours.
An Award Well-Earned. --DaCoot
When David Mearns and his team found the HMAS Sydney in March 2008 they jumped around like children. "It was absolute euphoria," said Mearns.
Just under two years later, a similar thing happened when they discovered the final resting place of the AHS Centaur.
At the same, the finds gave closure to hundreds of Australian families who knew their loved ones were most likely dead, but didn't know where.
David Mearns received the Medal of the Order of Australia.
He is director of Blue Water Recoveries and under his direction they've found more than fifty wrecks.
They found the wreck of the Sydney March 16, 2008, leaning slightly over to starboard 2.5 kilometers deep on the floor of the Indian Ocean about 100 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. Four days earlier, they had found the wreck of the German raider Kormoran which sank after sinking the Sydney in a tremendous firefight. All 645 crew members on the Sydney lost their lives. The search for the Sydney covered over 1,500 square nautical miles, more than ten times the area involved in the search for the Titanic.
This past January 10th, they found the AHS Centaur which had been torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-177 off the Queensland coast in 1943, despite obviously being a hospital ship. Of a crew of 332, loss of life numbered 268. The remaining 64 were rescued by an American destroyer after floating on wreckage for 36 hours.
An Award Well-Earned. --DaCoot
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
USS Mugford (DD-389)
I mentioned in my post on October 18th that the survivors of the AHS Centaur were rescued by the USS Mugford so went to good old Wikipedia and found some information on it.
The Mugford was the second destroyer to bear the name of James Mugford who was killed in hand-to-hand combat aboard the Continental Navy's schooner Franklin on May 19, 1776. The first USS Mugford was DD-105 commissioned 1918 and decommissioned in 1922.
The USS Mugford (DD-389) was a Bagley Class destroyer built at Boston Navy Yard, commissioned 1937, decommissioned 1946 and scuttled March 22, 1948. It weighed 2,325 tons was 341 feet long and had a top speed of 38.5 knots. It mounted 4X5-inch guns, 4X50 calibre guns and 12X21-inch torpedo tubes.
The USS Mugford was at Pearl harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and shot down three Japanese planes in ten minutes and was underway an hour after the attack began.
More to Come. --Cooter
The Mugford was the second destroyer to bear the name of James Mugford who was killed in hand-to-hand combat aboard the Continental Navy's schooner Franklin on May 19, 1776. The first USS Mugford was DD-105 commissioned 1918 and decommissioned in 1922.
The USS Mugford (DD-389) was a Bagley Class destroyer built at Boston Navy Yard, commissioned 1937, decommissioned 1946 and scuttled March 22, 1948. It weighed 2,325 tons was 341 feet long and had a top speed of 38.5 knots. It mounted 4X5-inch guns, 4X50 calibre guns and 12X21-inch torpedo tubes.
The USS Mugford was at Pearl harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and shot down three Japanese planes in ten minutes and was underway an hour after the attack began.
More to Come. --Cooter
Back to the AHS Centaur-- Part 2
The $4 million search for the Centaur's final resting place was financed by both Australian state and federal funds.
At the ceremony on September 24rh, "The Last Post" was played by bugler Andy Aitchison and the ship's bell rung 268 times, once for each victim. The ashes of three loved ones were also scattered overboard.
Some of the relatives aboard the HMAS Manoora:
David McFarlane-- his aunt was nurse Mary McFarlane.
Jan Thomas-- secretary of 2/3 AHS Centaur Association. Was six when her father, Captain Bernard Hindmarsh died. She recalled a girl at her school desperately needing penicillin which was not available to civilians. Her dad came home with the needed drug and saved her life.
Irene Burrows received a telegram about the loss of her two brothers.
Mrs. Butcher's older brother, Private Bill Lawson, died.
Barry McCosker's father, Vince, was 20 and was one of 26 who survived in a single life boat. he later died in 1998.
The wreck is at 27 degrees 16.98' S and 153 degrees 9.22' E.
At the ceremony on September 24rh, "The Last Post" was played by bugler Andy Aitchison and the ship's bell rung 268 times, once for each victim. The ashes of three loved ones were also scattered overboard.
Some of the relatives aboard the HMAS Manoora:
David McFarlane-- his aunt was nurse Mary McFarlane.
Jan Thomas-- secretary of 2/3 AHS Centaur Association. Was six when her father, Captain Bernard Hindmarsh died. She recalled a girl at her school desperately needing penicillin which was not available to civilians. Her dad came home with the needed drug and saved her life.
Irene Burrows received a telegram about the loss of her two brothers.
Mrs. Butcher's older brother, Private Bill Lawson, died.
Barry McCosker's father, Vince, was 20 and was one of 26 who survived in a single life boat. he later died in 1998.
The wreck is at 27 degrees 16.98' S and 153 degrees 9.22' E.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Back to the AHS Centaur-- Part 1
From the September 25th Brisbane (Au) Times "After 67 years 'cloud of sorrow' finally lifted" by Daniel Hurst.
Mary Sutton, Tom Bracken and Peter Bracken attended the ceremony. They lost two brothers when the Centaur was torpedoed, Paul and John Bracken.
Martin Pash, a Centaur survivor, was also there and remembers spending 36 hours in the water before being rescued.
The memorial service was held on the HMAS Manoora on September 24th.The ship was over the wreck of the Centaur. More than 300 attended the service. Most were relatives of the 268 who died that day and the 64 survivors who were rescued bu the destroyer USS Mugford.
"I cried and threw the wreath over for my brothers. Now, I'm going to a pub and going to have a beer for me."
The Centaur's final resting place was found by UK-based shipwreck-hunter David Mearms 48 kilometers east of the southern tip of Moreton Island.
More to Come. --Cooter
Mary Sutton, Tom Bracken and Peter Bracken attended the ceremony. They lost two brothers when the Centaur was torpedoed, Paul and John Bracken.
Martin Pash, a Centaur survivor, was also there and remembers spending 36 hours in the water before being rescued.
The memorial service was held on the HMAS Manoora on September 24th.The ship was over the wreck of the Centaur. More than 300 attended the service. Most were relatives of the 268 who died that day and the 64 survivors who were rescued bu the destroyer USS Mugford.
"I cried and threw the wreath over for my brothers. Now, I'm going to a pub and going to have a beer for me."
The Centaur's final resting place was found by UK-based shipwreck-hunter David Mearms 48 kilometers east of the southern tip of Moreton Island.
More to Come. --Cooter
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Bits O' History: Germany Finally pays Up-- Centaur-- USS Emmons Vandalized Under Sea--
Bits O' History-- New news about old stuff.
1. GERMANY FINALLY PAYS UP-- This Sunday, Germany will make its final payment for World War I, 92 years later. I doubt that any payments were made during Hitler's reign. The payment will be 59.5 million British pounds, I'm not sure how many Euros that would be.
About time!!
2. CENTAUR-- Bill Munro attended the September 24th memorial above the wreck of the AHS Centaur. His uncle Driver Bill Lawson died May 14, 1943, when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Munro scattered the ashes of Driver Lawson's sister, Jean Mooney, over the site.
3. USS EMMONS VANDALIZED UNDER SEA-- The World War II destroyer USS Emmons (DD-457) was vandalized by unknown divers at its final resting place beneath the sea near Okinawa. It is 145 feet down and the final resting place of 60 of its crew members.
despite being hit by five kamikaze planes, it wouldn't sink and the Navy later had to sink it.
Thieves have gone aboard and removed the name plate that gives the proud history of the ship. It is not likely that the thieves will be caught.
Now You Know. --DaCoot
1. GERMANY FINALLY PAYS UP-- This Sunday, Germany will make its final payment for World War I, 92 years later. I doubt that any payments were made during Hitler's reign. The payment will be 59.5 million British pounds, I'm not sure how many Euros that would be.
About time!!
2. CENTAUR-- Bill Munro attended the September 24th memorial above the wreck of the AHS Centaur. His uncle Driver Bill Lawson died May 14, 1943, when the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Munro scattered the ashes of Driver Lawson's sister, Jean Mooney, over the site.
3. USS EMMONS VANDALIZED UNDER SEA-- The World War II destroyer USS Emmons (DD-457) was vandalized by unknown divers at its final resting place beneath the sea near Okinawa. It is 145 feet down and the final resting place of 60 of its crew members.
despite being hit by five kamikaze planes, it wouldn't sink and the Navy later had to sink it.
Thieves have gone aboard and removed the name plate that gives the proud history of the ship. It is not likely that the thieves will be caught.
Now You Know. --DaCoot
Friday, September 24, 2010
AHS Centaur Memorial
From September 22nd news.com.au.
Judith Holland of Auchenflower, Australia, will spread her husband's ashes at the site of the wreck of the AHS Centaur as part of a memorial. Professor Angus Holland died three years ago. Major L.L. Holland, one of the victims of the attack on the hospital ship back during World War II. Angus was just sixteen when his father died.
Major Holland was a graduate of the University of Sydney and a medical officer on board the Centaur. He had previously served in the Middle East during the war.
Three hundred Centaur family members from across Australia will be going to the site aboard the HMAS Kanimbia.
Ms. Holland will be one of three people spreading loved ones' ashes over the wreck. Flowers will also be thrown overboard.
For more information, just click on the label Centaur below. I've had lots of posts about the ship, 53 to be exact.
A Sad Event Memorialized. --Cooter
Judith Holland of Auchenflower, Australia, will spread her husband's ashes at the site of the wreck of the AHS Centaur as part of a memorial. Professor Angus Holland died three years ago. Major L.L. Holland, one of the victims of the attack on the hospital ship back during World War II. Angus was just sixteen when his father died.
Major Holland was a graduate of the University of Sydney and a medical officer on board the Centaur. He had previously served in the Middle East during the war.
Three hundred Centaur family members from across Australia will be going to the site aboard the HMAS Kanimbia.
Ms. Holland will be one of three people spreading loved ones' ashes over the wreck. Flowers will also be thrown overboard.
For more information, just click on the label Centaur below. I've had lots of posts about the ship, 53 to be exact.
A Sad Event Memorialized. --Cooter
Saturday, September 11, 2010
AHS Centaur Update
There are not too many articles in Australian papers now about the tragic hospital ship Centaur, but, I did come across this in the August 27th Courier-Mail (Australia). "Centaur Memorial Health Precinct to remind nursing students of World War II sacrifice" by Margaret Wenham.
Pam Gilbert was just 5 and not yet in school when her father, Fred Fortier, was killed in the May 14, 1943, Japanese submarine attack on the Centaur.
Now 72, Gilbert and two other relatives of Centaur's crew attended the opening of the Centaur Memorial Health Precinct, a new $4.5 million facility for training nurses.
She remembers that her mother received the telegram that her husband was dead within hours after a similar one arrived at her grandparents' house saying that her Uncle Alan was dead. Both brothers had been members of the 2nd 12th Field Ambulance contingent aboard the ill-fated Centaur.
The new facility has classrooms, a staff room and state-of-the-art health center. The staff area is named after Sister Savage, the only one of 12 nurses aboard the Centaur to survive the attack.
Still a Very Heart Rending Event. --Cooter
Pam Gilbert was just 5 and not yet in school when her father, Fred Fortier, was killed in the May 14, 1943, Japanese submarine attack on the Centaur.
Now 72, Gilbert and two other relatives of Centaur's crew attended the opening of the Centaur Memorial Health Precinct, a new $4.5 million facility for training nurses.
She remembers that her mother received the telegram that her husband was dead within hours after a similar one arrived at her grandparents' house saying that her Uncle Alan was dead. Both brothers had been members of the 2nd 12th Field Ambulance contingent aboard the ill-fated Centaur.
The new facility has classrooms, a staff room and state-of-the-art health center. The staff area is named after Sister Savage, the only one of 12 nurses aboard the Centaur to survive the attack.
Still a Very Heart Rending Event. --Cooter
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Young Anglers the Last to See the Centaur
From the Dec. 23, 2009 Chronicle (Australia). This was back when a search was on to locate the wreck of the AHS Centaur, a hospital ship sunk by a Japanese submarine. I have done many entries about this vessel. Surprisingly, very little was printed in the United States about it.
On May 14, 1943, Kevin Watkins, now 76, was fishing off South Stradbroke Island with his brother and father when he saw the distant light of the Centaur.
"We saw a boat going north towards Brisbane and it was all lit up. We made remarks at the time because it was war-time and the ships should usually be blacked. So we figured it must have been a neutral or a hospital ship."
They later noted a bright flash over the water.
The next day they found a crate of oranges washed up on the shore and now feel sure it was from the Centaur. They ate it all.
A Sad Story of a War Tragedy. --Cooter
On May 14, 1943, Kevin Watkins, now 76, was fishing off South Stradbroke Island with his brother and father when he saw the distant light of the Centaur.
"We saw a boat going north towards Brisbane and it was all lit up. We made remarks at the time because it was war-time and the ships should usually be blacked. So we figured it must have been a neutral or a hospital ship."
They later noted a bright flash over the water.
The next day they found a crate of oranges washed up on the shore and now feel sure it was from the Centaur. They ate it all.
A Sad Story of a War Tragedy. --Cooter
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Centaur's Felt Hat
From the Jan. 18th Redland Times "Felt hat symbol of Centaur tragedy." By far, one of the most telling photos taken of the wreck of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur was of the felt hat sitting upright on the ocean floor.
Pam Gilbert received a "jolt" when she saw it. Her father and uncle were both drivers with the 2/12 Ambulance Unit. Both died in the tragedy.
She was fine while looking at the photos until she saw that hat. "That gave me quite a jolt." This was the type of hat her father and uncle would have worn.
Could it have been one of theirs?
She was just five when the Centaur was torpedoed.
That hat was the most telling of all the photos of the wreck for me as well. I tried to download it, but was unable.
A Very Sad Event. --Cooter
Pam Gilbert received a "jolt" when she saw it. Her father and uncle were both drivers with the 2/12 Ambulance Unit. Both died in the tragedy.
She was fine while looking at the photos until she saw that hat. "That gave me quite a jolt." This was the type of hat her father and uncle would have worn.
Could it have been one of theirs?
She was just five when the Centaur was torpedoed.
That hat was the most telling of all the photos of the wreck for me as well. I tried to download it, but was unable.
A Very Sad Event. --Cooter
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Australian Nurses Who Died on the Centaur
Eleven nurses dies when the Centaur was torpedoed:
Sister H. Haultain
Sister E. King
Sister M. Moston
Sister E. Shaw
Sister D. Wylie
Sister M. Adams
Matron S. Jewel
Sister A. O'Donnell
Sister E. Rutherford
Sister W. Walker
Sister M. McFarlane
A Sad and Unnecessary Loss. --Cooter
Sister H. Haultain
Sister E. King
Sister M. Moston
Sister E. Shaw
Sister D. Wylie
Sister M. Adams
Matron S. Jewel
Sister A. O'Donnell
Sister E. Rutherford
Sister W. Walker
Sister M. McFarlane
A Sad and Unnecessary Loss. --Cooter
Back to the Centaur
From the January 14th Northern Daily Leader.
Ellen (Nell) Savage was one of only twelve nurses to survive the Centaur. She enlisted in 1941 and was described as "curly brunette with a dimpling smile. After the sinking, she was honored with the George Medal by King George IV, which is primarily a civilian decoration but can be awarded to serving military personnel for gallant conduct not in the face of the enemy.
The citation reads, "Although suffering from severe injuries...she displayed great heroism while she and some male members of the ship's company were floating in a raft to which they clung for 34 hours before being found by an American destroyer.
"She rendered conspicuous service in attending to wounds and burns sustained by the other survivors.
"Sister Savage's example of high courage and fortitude did much to maintain the morale of her companions. With sharks circling the raft, ships and planes missing them, she organized a singalong to keep up spirits."
Ellen Savage died in 1983.
A Hero for the Times. --DaCoot
Ellen (Nell) Savage was one of only twelve nurses to survive the Centaur. She enlisted in 1941 and was described as "curly brunette with a dimpling smile. After the sinking, she was honored with the George Medal by King George IV, which is primarily a civilian decoration but can be awarded to serving military personnel for gallant conduct not in the face of the enemy.
The citation reads, "Although suffering from severe injuries...she displayed great heroism while she and some male members of the ship's company were floating in a raft to which they clung for 34 hours before being found by an American destroyer.
"She rendered conspicuous service in attending to wounds and burns sustained by the other survivors.
"Sister Savage's example of high courage and fortitude did much to maintain the morale of her companions. With sharks circling the raft, ships and planes missing them, she organized a singalong to keep up spirits."
Ellen Savage died in 1983.
A Hero for the Times. --DaCoot
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Looking Back at the AHS Centaur-- Part 2
Continuing from yesterday's entry from the Northern Star.
The M/V Limerick, sunk by the I-177, was in a convoy of five ships going from Brisbane to Sydney and escorted by two Australian minesweepers, the HMAS Colac and HMAS Ballarat.
The Limerick became separated from the rest while having engine problems and was zig-zagging. "Around 1 am on the 126th, the I-177 announced her presence torpedoing the Limerick abaft her beam on the port side and the vessel quickly developed a heavy list to port.
The Colac began anti-submarine search and dropped depth charges while the Ballarat continued with the convoy. The Colac picked up survivors during the night. The Limerick sank at 6:30 am. The captain and 70 crew members were picked up, but the 3rd and 4th engineers went down with the ship.
The Wollongbar was bound for Byron Bay from Sydney at the time the Limerick was sunk and was diverted to search for survivors. Gale force conditions hampered the search and the ship returned to Ballina, only to be sunk three days later. Of 37 crew, only five survived in a lifeboat.
The I-177 was later sunk by the USS Samuel S. Miles.
That I-177 Was Really One Busy Submarine. --Cooter
The M/V Limerick, sunk by the I-177, was in a convoy of five ships going from Brisbane to Sydney and escorted by two Australian minesweepers, the HMAS Colac and HMAS Ballarat.
The Limerick became separated from the rest while having engine problems and was zig-zagging. "Around 1 am on the 126th, the I-177 announced her presence torpedoing the Limerick abaft her beam on the port side and the vessel quickly developed a heavy list to port.
The Colac began anti-submarine search and dropped depth charges while the Ballarat continued with the convoy. The Colac picked up survivors during the night. The Limerick sank at 6:30 am. The captain and 70 crew members were picked up, but the 3rd and 4th engineers went down with the ship.
The Wollongbar was bound for Byron Bay from Sydney at the time the Limerick was sunk and was diverted to search for survivors. Gale force conditions hampered the search and the ship returned to Ballina, only to be sunk three days later. Of 37 crew, only five survived in a lifeboat.
The I-177 was later sunk by the USS Samuel S. Miles.
That I-177 Was Really One Busy Submarine. --Cooter
Monday, June 21, 2010
Looking Back at the AHS Centaur
From the January 15th Northern Star.
Two months before the Centaur was sunk, the I-177 torpedoed and sank the MV Limerick 32 kilometers off Cape Breton. Three days later, on April 29, the passenger steamer SS Wollongbar was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Crescent Head. That submarine is not known, but believed to be the I-177 which was operating in the area.
The same day, the SS Bonalbo had sailed through the same area but encountered no problem. It was held in Ballina for safety.
These were extremely rough days for the Australian Merchant Marine which was delivering supplies between Sydney, Darwin and Papua New Guinea. Japanese subs sank five ships in April alone. A total of 87 died and 25 tons of cargo lost.
Rough Times for Australia. --Cooter
Two months before the Centaur was sunk, the I-177 torpedoed and sank the MV Limerick 32 kilometers off Cape Breton. Three days later, on April 29, the passenger steamer SS Wollongbar was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Crescent Head. That submarine is not known, but believed to be the I-177 which was operating in the area.
The same day, the SS Bonalbo had sailed through the same area but encountered no problem. It was held in Ballina for safety.
These were extremely rough days for the Australian Merchant Marine which was delivering supplies between Sydney, Darwin and Papua New Guinea. Japanese subs sank five ships in April alone. A total of 87 died and 25 tons of cargo lost.
Rough Times for Australia. --Cooter
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
More on the AHS Centaur
The Jan. 15th Sky News reported that a 200 hectare protection zone has been established around the wreck of the Centaur to stop souvenir hunters. It is too deep for a buoy, but would be marked on marine maps as a war grave and will be patrolled by Customs. It is expected that in another 10-20 years, all the paint work will be gone.
One really striking photograph was of the slouch hat on the ocean floor.
The Jan. 16th Courier Mail had an article accompanied with a 3D interactive graphic of the ship. With this, you could see where the pictures were taken.
The article mentioned that an explosion in the oil tank was the likely reason the ship went down so fast. The steep terrain on the ocean bottom made finding it hard. No munitions were discovered on the ship or in the debris field.
When the torpedo hit, it caused an explosion in the oil tank.
Some 1400 photos were taken and 24 hours of video.
The ship's bell was found upright and wedged between two ventilator pipes. The ship's name is clearly visible.
Thanks to the Centaur's navigator, the late Gordon Rippon, who provided the bearings, the ship was found within 2 kilometers of where he had judged it sank.
I Am Sure Glad They Found It. --Cooter
One really striking photograph was of the slouch hat on the ocean floor.
The Jan. 16th Courier Mail had an article accompanied with a 3D interactive graphic of the ship. With this, you could see where the pictures were taken.
The article mentioned that an explosion in the oil tank was the likely reason the ship went down so fast. The steep terrain on the ocean bottom made finding it hard. No munitions were discovered on the ship or in the debris field.
When the torpedo hit, it caused an explosion in the oil tank.
Some 1400 photos were taken and 24 hours of video.
The ship's bell was found upright and wedged between two ventilator pipes. The ship's name is clearly visible.
Thanks to the Centaur's navigator, the late Gordon Rippon, who provided the bearings, the ship was found within 2 kilometers of where he had judged it sank.
I Am Sure Glad They Found It. --Cooter
Monday, June 14, 2010
Some More on the AHS Centaur
Looking back at some older things I've written down. here are some more stories regarding the Centaur.
The I-177, was the Japanese submarine that sank the Centaur. It was a Japanese KD7-type Kaidai-class submarine, commissioned December 28, 1942. It was sunk itself on October 3, 1944, by the USS Samuel S. Miles (DE-183) with the loss of the whole crew of 101. The commander of the submarine when it sank the Centaur, Lt.-Cmdr. Hajime Nakagawa, was not aboard at the time, however.
The Miles was a destroyer escort of the Cannon-class and was commissioned November 4, 1943 and served in the Pacific Ocean doing convoy duty and protecting against Japanese submarines. During the war, the Miles won a remarkable 8 battle stars.
One of Those Little-Known Stories. --DaCoot
The I-177, was the Japanese submarine that sank the Centaur. It was a Japanese KD7-type Kaidai-class submarine, commissioned December 28, 1942. It was sunk itself on October 3, 1944, by the USS Samuel S. Miles (DE-183) with the loss of the whole crew of 101. The commander of the submarine when it sank the Centaur, Lt.-Cmdr. Hajime Nakagawa, was not aboard at the time, however.
The Miles was a destroyer escort of the Cannon-class and was commissioned November 4, 1943 and served in the Pacific Ocean doing convoy duty and protecting against Japanese submarines. During the war, the Miles won a remarkable 8 battle stars.
One of Those Little-Known Stories. --DaCoot
Saturday, June 5, 2010
AHS Manunda
Yesterday, I wrote about the unfortunate sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur and mentioned that a Japanese warship had trained a spotlight on the AHS Manunda eight months earlier at Milne Bay, Papua-New Guniea, but had not fired on it. I'd never heard of the Manunda so looked it up in good old Wikipedia.
The Manunda had been an Australian coastal cargo and passenger ship before World War II after being built in Scotland in 1929. It was converted into a hospital ship and commissioned the AHS Manunda July 22, 1940.
On February 19, 1942, it was damaged in the Japanese attack on Darwin with 13 crew and staff being killed, 19 seriouslr wounded and 40 slightly. After the attack, it served as a clearing station for casualties from the other ships in the harbor.
After repairs, the Manunda went to Milne Bay, Papua-New Guinea, and served as a floating hospital for actions in the area. Altogether during the war, the ship made 27 voyages from there to Brisbane and Sydney, carrying some 30,000 casualties.
After Japan's surrender, the Manunda went to Singapore to pick up POWs and civilian internees before being decommissioned in 1946. After that, it again carried passengers and cargo around Australia and then was sold to a Japanese company and renamed the Hakone Maru. In 1957, the ship was broken up
The Story of a Ship. --Cooter
The Manunda had been an Australian coastal cargo and passenger ship before World War II after being built in Scotland in 1929. It was converted into a hospital ship and commissioned the AHS Manunda July 22, 1940.
On February 19, 1942, it was damaged in the Japanese attack on Darwin with 13 crew and staff being killed, 19 seriouslr wounded and 40 slightly. After the attack, it served as a clearing station for casualties from the other ships in the harbor.
After repairs, the Manunda went to Milne Bay, Papua-New Guinea, and served as a floating hospital for actions in the area. Altogether during the war, the ship made 27 voyages from there to Brisbane and Sydney, carrying some 30,000 casualties.
After Japan's surrender, the Manunda went to Singapore to pick up POWs and civilian internees before being decommissioned in 1946. After that, it again carried passengers and cargo around Australia and then was sold to a Japanese company and renamed the Hakone Maru. In 1957, the ship was broken up
The Story of a Ship. --Cooter
Friday, June 4, 2010
AHS Centaur
From the Dec. 22, 2009 Australian.
In 2003, the Australian government declared the area east of where the wreck was presumed to be a war grave zone and at least one survivor has had their ashes spread there after death.
The Centaur had not always been a hospital ship and, upon its conversion, the Japanese government had been notified Feb. 5, 1943, of its change of status. The vessel was marked with green bands bow to stern on both sides and red crosses on either side of the funnel. In addition, three large red crosses were painted on either side of the hull.
The ship was also equipped with many lights and would be lit at night so as to be easily discerned. There were so many lights, one Centaur survivor described the ship as being "lit up like a Christmas tree."
Eight months before the Centaur was sunk, a Japanese ship in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, had trained a spotlight on the AHS Manunda, which was similarly marked but had not fired upon the ship.
It is not known why the Japanese submarine commander Hajime Nakagawa torpedoed the Centaur.
A Sad Story. --Cooter
In 2003, the Australian government declared the area east of where the wreck was presumed to be a war grave zone and at least one survivor has had their ashes spread there after death.
The Centaur had not always been a hospital ship and, upon its conversion, the Japanese government had been notified Feb. 5, 1943, of its change of status. The vessel was marked with green bands bow to stern on both sides and red crosses on either side of the funnel. In addition, three large red crosses were painted on either side of the hull.
The ship was also equipped with many lights and would be lit at night so as to be easily discerned. There were so many lights, one Centaur survivor described the ship as being "lit up like a Christmas tree."
Eight months before the Centaur was sunk, a Japanese ship in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, had trained a spotlight on the AHS Manunda, which was similarly marked but had not fired upon the ship.
It is not known why the Japanese submarine commander Hajime Nakagawa torpedoed the Centaur.
A Sad Story. --Cooter
Friday, May 14, 2010
67th Anniversary of Centaur Sinking
May 14th Sydney Morning Herald.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has paid tribute to the nurses and doctors who died May 14, 1942, on the hospital ship Centaur which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. On that date, 268 of the 332 aboard died.
The wreck was just discovered this past December. Rudd said this was a solemn day in Queensland and Australian history.
The Centaur Public Primary School had a ceremony at Point Danger in honor of its namesake. Pupils joined relatives of the medical personnel including the Moran, Hindmarsh and Chegwyn families.
The Hindmarsh Award is given to students and is named after Dr, Bernie Hindmarsh who died on the Centaur. The school is raising funds to buy playground equipment in the shape of the ship. So far, $8,000 of $15,000 needed have been raised and it is expected to be finished in about 8 months.
A commemorative ceremony was also held at Caloundra's Centaur Park and the War Memorial in Canberra. The AHS Centaur group will have a wreath-laying ceremony in Brisbane Bay as well.
A Sad Moment in Australian History. --Cooter
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has paid tribute to the nurses and doctors who died May 14, 1942, on the hospital ship Centaur which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. On that date, 268 of the 332 aboard died.
The wreck was just discovered this past December. Rudd said this was a solemn day in Queensland and Australian history.
The Centaur Public Primary School had a ceremony at Point Danger in honor of its namesake. Pupils joined relatives of the medical personnel including the Moran, Hindmarsh and Chegwyn families.
The Hindmarsh Award is given to students and is named after Dr, Bernie Hindmarsh who died on the Centaur. The school is raising funds to buy playground equipment in the shape of the ship. So far, $8,000 of $15,000 needed have been raised and it is expected to be finished in about 8 months.
A commemorative ceremony was also held at Caloundra's Centaur Park and the War Memorial in Canberra. The AHS Centaur group will have a wreath-laying ceremony in Brisbane Bay as well.
A Sad Moment in Australian History. --Cooter
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Dead Page: Centaur Survivor Dies
From the April 11th Leader Community Newspapers.
Matthew Morris, 89, the oldest remaining survivor of the AHS Centaur, died April 9th in Ringwood, Australia. He was 23 when the ship was sunk in 1943.
despite advanced dementia, it was clear that he still was haunted by the memories. Recently he was interviewed and said, "I wish I had never seen that ship."
The funeral was yesterday, April 13th and fellow Centaur survivor Marty Pash, 89, was there and said "He was a great mate" about Mr. Morris.
A sad Part of History.
Matthew Morris, 89, the oldest remaining survivor of the AHS Centaur, died April 9th in Ringwood, Australia. He was 23 when the ship was sunk in 1943.
despite advanced dementia, it was clear that he still was haunted by the memories. Recently he was interviewed and said, "I wish I had never seen that ship."
The funeral was yesterday, April 13th and fellow Centaur survivor Marty Pash, 89, was there and said "He was a great mate" about Mr. Morris.
A sad Part of History.
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