From the best-selling author of Sister Viv, Hudson Fysh and Monash comes an extraordinary true story of courage and survival during one of the deadliest wartime attacks on Australia.
This book is a tribute to all those who served on the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, which was sunk by a Japanese torpedo off the Queensland coast during World War II.
The sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur stands as one of Australia’s most devastating wartime tragedies, claiming 268 non-combatant lives on a mission of mercy. Only 64 survived. Many perished instantly, but among the survivors was Sister Ellen Savage, the only one of the twelve nurses to survive. Despite horrific injuries, she spent thirty-four agonising hours in shark-infested waters, tending to the wounded and defying the odds until rescuers arrived. For her heroism she was awarded the George Medal.
On 14 May 1943, the Centaur, despite being brilliantly lit and painted pristine white with a broad green band and large red crosses according to the requirements of the Hague Convention, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off the Brisbane coast. She sank in under three minutes.
Prime Minister John Curtin condemned the attack as ‘barbarous’, and avenging it became a powerful rallying cry for Australian forces.
From this tragedy rose extraordinary heroism that united a nation under siege by Japanese forces. A nation that had already endured submarine attacks on Sydney and Newcastle, and aerial bombing raids on Darwin, Townsville, Broome and other Australian targets. This extraordinary tale of survival, courage and heroism remains one of the most inspiring chapters in Australia’s history.
The book will be released on 31 March 2026.
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