Chronology of the Rescue from the MUGFORD Log

Sat. 15 May 1943

8 to 12.

• 1037 Kept rendezvous with S.S.SUSSEX and took station 2000 yds. ahead of her. c/s to 17 kts. Sound gear commenced echo ranging in accordance with plan #9. Radar searching through 3600.
  
• 1137 Passed Cape Moreton light abeam to starboard distance 1000 yds.
  
  (signed) J.R. Shanahan
  

• 1224 c/c 0900 T pgc 0810 psc. 1229 Commenced zigzagging in accordance with plan #9.
• 1240 Ceased zigzagging and commenced zigzagging in accordance with British plan #37.
  
• 1347 Sighted rafts bearing 1400T. c/s 20 kts 189 rpms. c/c 1400T pgs 1320 psc. S.S. SUSSEX proceeding independently.
  
• 1357 On various courses and speeds proceeding to pick up survivors of HMAHS CENTAUR.
  
• 1410 Picked up first group of survivors L 270 03' S (Long) 1540 15'E.
  
• 1426 Picked up second group of survivors. Lighted fires under Boilers #3 and 4.
  
• 1440 Cut in Boilers 3 and 4 on main steamline.
  
• 1454 Picked up third group of survivors. 1507 Picked up one survivor.
  
• 1523 Picked up last group of survivors. Total number of survivors on board 64 *see next page.
  
• 1532 Underway at 10 kts 092 rpm on C 0450 T pgc 0340 psc. Commenced search of area for any remaining survivors.
  

(signed) R.L. Clodius

• 1643 Set condition 'baker'.
  
• 1730 Darkened ship.
  
• 1732 c/s to 15 knots 139 rpm.
  
• 1758 Completed searching wreckage area. c/c to 2700T pgc 2620 psc.
  
• 1810 c/s to 30 knots 305 rpm. Ceased echo ranging on a/s soundgear. Commenced bow to bow search on SC radar.
  
• 1906 Sighted Cape Moreton Light bearing 2230T distance 25 miles.
  
• 1905 c/c to 2500T pgc 287 psc.
  
• 1910 c/c 2950T pgc 2870 psc.
  
• 1913 c/s to 25 knots 245 rpm.
  
• 1925 c/s to 20 knots 189 rpm. c/c to 2850T pgc. 2770 psc.
  
• 1945 Passed from international to inland waters. On various courses at various speeds corresponding to channel standing into Moreton Bay. Captain at the conn, navigator on the bridge.
  

(signed) J.R. McClellan

• 2110 Picked up pilot and then proceeded as before with pilot at the conn. Captain and Navigator on the bridge.
  
• 2245 Passed Pile light abeam to port, distance 400yds.
  
• 2250 Entered Brisbane river
  
• 2255. Secured from condition III. Radar is secured. Stationed special sea detail.
• 2359 Moored starboard side to Newstead dock in berth #3 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia with six 6" manila lines.
  

(signed) J.R. Shanahan

typed LIST OF SURVIVERS (sic) attached

Sun. 16 May 1943

0 to 4

• 0000 Moored starboard side NEWSTEAD DOCK #3 BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA with six 6" manila lines. Boilers 1 and 2 on main steam line. Material condition Baker set. Ship is darkened.
  
• 0010 Secured Boiler 2. Boiler 1 in use for auxillary purposes. Ships present: FULTON (SOPA) MUGFORD and various units of Seventh Fleet.
  
• 0045 Commenced transferring survivors to authorities on dock.
  
• 0135 Completed transferring survivors. 0208 Commenced fueling ship.
  
• 0253 Completed fueling ship having received 17,479 gallons at 600F.
  

(signed) R.L. Clodius
Approved: H.G.COREY, (signed)Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy,Commanding
Examined: J.A. DODSON (signed) Lieutenant, U.S. Navy