Official US 'Report of Resuce of Survivors of H.M.A.H.S. CENTAUR' 18 May 1943

1. At about 1400, 15 May...a lookout reported an object ahead on the horizon. PC648 with a tanker in escort was on the horizon about due south. An Avro Anson plane was providing ASV protection. Visibility at this time was excellent.
   
   
2. ...the plane was seen to dive toward the object previously reported and headed toward MUGFORD signalling "Rescue survivors in water ahead".
   
   
3. On reaching the first group of rafts, obtained information that H.M.A.H.S. CENTAUR had been torpedoed and sunk at about 0400 K, May 14...070 deg. Pt. Lookout 23 miles. Decision was made to proceed with rescue, without search for sub...plane was requested to cover SUSSEX until well clear and then return to aid in search....
   
   
4. Plane circled twice, dropped smoke flare near one remote group and departed signalling "Leaving x report number of survivors".
   
   
5. Recue operations carried out as rapidly as possible, survivors being in two large groups plus three smaller groups in about a two mile radius of oil slick, wreckage and debris. Regular gas drum rafts(68k), hatch tops, cabin tops, gratings, large shelf structures, and one wrecked lifeboat (awash) had been used by the survivors, many lightly clothed, some naked, some injured and burned, and about half with life jackets. One other lifeboat, bottom up, was seen.
   
   
6. Weather was intermittently squally but visibility was fair to good...a thorough search was made of an oval area roughly seven by fourteen miles, with the long axis 045 deg. - 225 deg. the direction of drift as determined by position of sinking and of rescue, as well as extent of slick and debris.
   
   
7. Rescue was carried out amidst usual flurry of reported "periscopes". "disturbed water", "Torpedo wakes". Although none proved authentic, minimum time was spent stopped. Rafts were not sunk nor broken up (pending possible future use as markers for further search), and it is regretted that in one flurry what was seen to be a lifeless body was abandoned and not seen again. Survivors later reported having pushed off one dead crew member.
   
   
8. ...an amplifying report was sent, including intentions of MUGFORD to abandon search at dark and return to BRISBANE.
   
   
9. The survivors were given rapid, excellent medical treatment by Lieutenant Bruce R. McCAMPBELL(34k) (MO), U.S.N., and assisted by many, clothed, sparingly fed, and put to bed. Sister SAVAGE, a nurse, wished to aid in treatment of other survivors, but was pursuaded to desist and receive treatment herself....
   
   
10. Final check of rescued by ship's records was sixty three (63) men, one (1) woman: a full list was furnished ambulance party.
    
    
11. MUGFORD'S Ship's Company collected the sum of 239 (pounds) plus which was given Lieut. Comdr. McMANUS, R.A.N., for the survivors immediate needs....
    
    On arival at NEWSTEAD No. 3, at 2400... survivors were taken in custody by Australian authorities....
    
    
    (signed) H.G. Corey
    
    Source: American Archives. U.S. Naval History Division. Report of survivors USS MUGFORD (DD-389). Serial 022, May 18, 1943.