Looking for Centaur
CAMPAIGNING FOR THE SEARCH
The Centaur Association had long campaigned for a full scale search to confirm the exact site of the Centaur. In March 2008, there was a resurgence of interest following the finding of the HMAS Sydney 11 off the coast of Western Australia.
The HMAS Sydney 11 was sunk by the German raider Kormoran in November 1941 resulting in the loss of 645 officers and men from the Australian ship.
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THE SEARCH
Following approaches from Ian Hudson and others from the Centaur Association, on the 14th May 2008, the 65th anniversary of the sinking of the Centaur, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh wrote to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeking support to enable a search for the AHS Centaur.
STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE SEARCH
The Australian and Queensland governments jointly committed $4 million to the search and officers from the Department of Defence and the Department of Premier and Cabinet provided oversight and technical assistance to the project.
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. Eventually David Mearns with his expert team from Blue Water Recoveries on the Seahorse Spirit were commissioned to find Centaur.
DAVID MEARNS
David Mearns searching the ocean floor for Centaur.
David Mearns on the Seahorse Spirit.
The Navigator’s Positioning Correct
THE CENTAUR SEARCH BOX: The search area based on the navigator, Gordon Rippon’s, calculations of where AHS Centaur went down. Information that he passed on to the Captain of the USS Mugford, after the survivors were rescued.
