AHS Centaur
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Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur was a hospital ship which was attacked and sunk by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Queensland, Australia, on 14 May 1943. Of the 332 medical personnel and civilian crew aboard, 268 died, including 63 of the 65 army personnel.
AHS Centaur following her conversion to a hospital ship. The Red Cross designation "47" can be seen on the bow.
MV Centaur underway
One of Centaur's wards shortly after her conversion to a hospital ship
Survivors from Kormoran under tow in two of Centaur's lifeboats. The German lifeboat can be seen behind them.
Hospital ship
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A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital. Most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones. In the 19th century, redundant warships were used as moored hospitals for seamen.
United States Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort in 2009.
Tangier circa 1670. Hospital ships were used during the evacuation of the port in the 1680s.
HMS Melbourne, the first modern hospital ship, served during the Second Opium War. Excerpt from The Illustrated London News about the ship (click to read).
RMS Mauretania as hospital ship HMHS Mauretania during World War I.