About the search
On the 14th May 2008, the 65th anniversary of the sinking of the Centaur, Premier Anna Bligh wrote to then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeking support to enable a search for the HMS Centaur. With both State and Federal governments committing funds the search began to find a team of experts and the right equipment to solve the mystery and locate its final resting place.
On the 14th December 2009 Search Director David Mearns, his team of experts and an experienced crew began the search using deep water sonar equipment in a search area identified as the most likely resting place for the Centaur. As expected, the sub-sea terrain was steep and rugged, making the search extremely challenging.
On Sunday 20th December the wreck of the Hospital Ship Centaur was found, and the mystery of its fate resolved.
In January 2010 a remotely operated submarine will be used to explore the site using a high definition camera to document the wreck and surrounding area.
Why the search was made
Finding the Centaur helps bring peace to those who lost family and loved ones in the pre-dawn hours of 14 May 1943. Its discovery also enable the site to be protected under law, and solves the 66 year old mystery surrounding its fate.
The final resting place of the AHS Centaur is also historically significant for Queensland, and Australia. The sinking of the Centaur was Queensland's worst maritime disaster, with the highest death toll of any merchant vessel sunk by a submarine in the Pacific theatre of war during World War II.
Read more about the history of the AHS Centaur.
Last updated Friday, June 25, 2010
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