Planning for a memorial service for the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) 'Centaur' will begin in the New Year after the wreck was found by search teams on December 20, 2009.
The AHS Centaur was sunk without warning by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on May 14, 1943, about 43 nautical miles east north-east of Brisbane. Of the 332 people on board, only 64 survived.
The wreck is in one piece; while the hull is intact, it appears to be broken about two thirds along its length, which would fit with the torpedo strike.
"I am relieved that the families of the Australians on board the AHS 'Centaur' will finally know the resting place of their loved ones, 66 years after it was sunk north east of Brisbane," said Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie
"The discovery of the AHS 'Centaur' reminds all of us of the loss suffered on that terrible day in May 1943.
The next stage of the project will see the team film the wreckage to capture high quality images.
