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Ellen Savage and the Heroes of AHS Centaur
The extraordinary true story of courage under fire and survival during one of the deadliest wartime attacks on Australia - the sinking of the hospital ship, the Centaur - and the bravery of its heroes
Few disasters have touched Australia as profoundly as the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur - one of the deadliest wartime attacks on the nation, killing 268 souls on a mission of mercy.
Yet the extraordinary heroism it inspired galvanised Australia in the face of the Japanese war offensive that had already seen submarine attacks on Sydney and Newcastle, and aerial bombing raids on Darwin, Townsville and Broome.
Just before dawn on 14 May 1943, the Centaur was cruising north from Sydney, to bring home troops wounded fighting the Japanese in New Guinea. Under the rules of the Hague Convention, all of the Centaur's lights were shining brightly against its brilliant white hull, clearly displaying the bright red crosses painted on its sides.
But off the coast of Brisbane, a Japanese submarine commander fired a torpedo into the Centaur's heart. Many of those on board were killed instantly, and the ship took just three minutes to sink to a watery grave 2000 metres below.
Ellen Savage, a fearless nurse from country New South Wales, emerged from a whirlpool of fire and burning wreckage, her body bruised and broken, and the only woman to survive. But for more than 34 hours, she and other heroes fought off hungry sharks, and did all they could to save other badly injured survivors until rescuers arrived.
Prime Minister John Curtin called the attack 'barbarous', and avenging the attack became a rallying cry for the Australian forces. Ellen Savage was awarded the prestigious George Medal for her remarkable bravery, and 66 years later, some of those she saved would witness the discovery of the Centaur's wreckage on the ocean floor, bringing its story of hope and heroism full circle - one of the most inspiring in Australia's history.
Few disasters have touched Australia as profoundly as the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur - one of the deadliest wartime attacks on the nation, killing 268 souls on a mission of mercy.
Yet the extraordinary heroism it inspired galvanised Australia in the face of the Japanese war offensive that had already seen submarine attacks on Sydney and Newcastle, and aerial bombing raids on Darwin, Townsville and Broome.
Just before dawn on 14 May 1943, the Centaur was cruising north from Sydney, to bring home troops wounded fighting the Japanese in New Guinea. Under the rules of the Hague Convention, all of the Centaur's lights were shining brightly against its brilliant white hull, clearly displaying the bright red crosses painted on its sides.
But off the coast of Brisbane, a Japanese submarine commander fired a torpedo into the Centaur's heart. Many of those on board were killed instantly, and the ship took just three minutes to sink to a watery grave 2000 metres below.
Ellen Savage, a fearless nurse from country New South Wales, emerged from a whirlpool of fire and burning wreckage, her body bruised and broken, and the only woman to survive. But for more than 34 hours, she and other heroes fought off hungry sharks, and did all they could to save other badly injured survivors until rescuers arrived.
Prime Minister John Curtin called the attack 'barbarous', and avenging the attack became a rallying cry for the Australian forces. Ellen Savage was awarded the prestigious George Medal for her remarkable bravery, and 66 years later, some of those she saved would witness the discovery of the Centaur's wreckage on the ocean floor, bringing its story of hope and heroism full circle - one of the most inspiring in Australia's history.
437 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 11, 2026
I went into this book knowing very little about the sinking of the AHS Centaur or Ellen Savage, and I wasn’t expecting it to stay with me the way it did.
Grantlee Kieza begins by introducing the hospital ship, its crew, and the patients on board, giving a sense of the lives behind the tragedy. That context makes what follows all the more affecting, as you already feel a connection to those on board.
The account of the attack is both vivid and confronting. In the early hours of 14 May 1943, the ship was torpedoed despite being clearly marked as a hospital vessel. Kieza’s writing brings the moment to life in a way that is hard to shake—I found myself feeling a real sense of shock as the events unfolded. Within just three minutes, the Centaur had sunk.
The aftermath is particularly powerful. Survivors, many badly injured, were left in the dark ocean, trying to stay alive while facing exhaustion, fear, and the threat of sharks. Among them was Ellen Savage, one of 12 nurses on board and the only woman to survive. Despite her own injuries, she continued to care for others and help keep their spirits up. Her strength and compassion stand out as one of the most memorable parts of the book.
Kieza also takes the time to explore what happened after the sinking, both for the survivors and for the families of those who were lost. These sections add a deeper layer to the story and highlight the lasting impact of the tragedy.
This is the third biography I’ve read by Grantlee Kieza, and once again I found his writing to be engaging and accessible. He handles a difficult subject with care, while still drawing the reader in. It’s not an easy story to read, but it’s an important one—and one that I’m glad I took the time to learn about.
Grantlee Kieza begins by introducing the hospital ship, its crew, and the patients on board, giving a sense of the lives behind the tragedy. That context makes what follows all the more affecting, as you already feel a connection to those on board.
The account of the attack is both vivid and confronting. In the early hours of 14 May 1943, the ship was torpedoed despite being clearly marked as a hospital vessel. Kieza’s writing brings the moment to life in a way that is hard to shake—I found myself feeling a real sense of shock as the events unfolded. Within just three minutes, the Centaur had sunk.
The aftermath is particularly powerful. Survivors, many badly injured, were left in the dark ocean, trying to stay alive while facing exhaustion, fear, and the threat of sharks. Among them was Ellen Savage, one of 12 nurses on board and the only woman to survive. Despite her own injuries, she continued to care for others and help keep their spirits up. Her strength and compassion stand out as one of the most memorable parts of the book.
Kieza also takes the time to explore what happened after the sinking, both for the survivors and for the families of those who were lost. These sections add a deeper layer to the story and highlight the lasting impact of the tragedy.
This is the third biography I’ve read by Grantlee Kieza, and once again I found his writing to be engaging and accessible. He handles a difficult subject with care, while still drawing the reader in. It’s not an easy story to read, but it’s an important one—and one that I’m glad I took the time to learn about.
April 23, 2026
Ellen Savage and the heroes of AHS Centaur is a new biography of the Sinking of the Hospital Ship, The Centaur ~ a ship brightly lit up at night with red crosses and a prominent green border stripe around the whole ship as it rode on the high seas off the Brisbane coast in Moreton Bay.
What would become of the AHS Centaur Ship on it's journey and who would survive?
The nurse who became the heroine was Ellen Savage ~ who will go down in history as well as the many lives that were lost during the sinking of the ship ~ even when injured herself she heroically treated the wounded in shark-infested and oil-covered waters.
It's the anniversary of Ellen Savage's death on Anzac Day and the anniversary of the Sinking of the Centaur on the 14th of May.
Ellen Savage and the heroes of AHS Centaur is the new paperback edition out now to commemorate the heroes and 299 lives lost and all those involved so closely in the sinking of the Centaur.
It's a wonderful story of courage and heroism and wonderful to hear about the AHS Centaur Association still going and in existence today.
What do they discover when the Shipwreck is found years later and who was responsible for the attack when the Centaur was torpedoed by a Japanese Ship?
Read it and see in this brand new biography Ellen Savage and the heroes of AHS Centaur by Grantlee Kieza.
What would become of the AHS Centaur Ship on it's journey and who would survive?
The nurse who became the heroine was Ellen Savage ~ who will go down in history as well as the many lives that were lost during the sinking of the ship ~ even when injured herself she heroically treated the wounded in shark-infested and oil-covered waters.
It's the anniversary of Ellen Savage's death on Anzac Day and the anniversary of the Sinking of the Centaur on the 14th of May.
Ellen Savage and the heroes of AHS Centaur is the new paperback edition out now to commemorate the heroes and 299 lives lost and all those involved so closely in the sinking of the Centaur.
It's a wonderful story of courage and heroism and wonderful to hear about the AHS Centaur Association still going and in existence today.
What do they discover when the Shipwreck is found years later and who was responsible for the attack when the Centaur was torpedoed by a Japanese Ship?
Read it and see in this brand new biography Ellen Savage and the heroes of AHS Centaur by Grantlee Kieza.
April 16, 2026
An immersive and captivating read, the story of the courageous men and women of the AHS Centaur are inspiring and compelling
May 4, 2026
Wonderful book.
June 25, 2026
Fascinating and moving. Learned about the impact of WW2 on Australia that I didn't know.
May 29, 2026
Very sad true story.
August 22, 2026
Grantlee Kieza has once again brought to life another of Australia’s past heroes. With my first encounter with this author, The Remarkable Mrs Reibey I knew that this read was going to be a rewarding one and for which didn’t disappoint.
The read introduces the lives of those on board the hospital ship Centaur, the crew, medical and nursing staff, cooks and general clerical staff. The story behind these people on board further enhances the book, bringing the reader into their private lives and to the reasons why many had put their hand up to be part of the hospital ship including those with previous war experience, traumatised by what they had been involved, thinking that this was a safe way to further serve their country.
This read brings to light a repeat of the cowardness, arrogance and brutality of the Japanese during World War 2, the nightmare of this event at 4.10 am when the ship was torpedoed; still dark would have added to the desperation by everyone in the water, wounded, some with life jackets others clinging to what ever debris they could find, legs deep in the water and sharks attracted to blood and movement. The reader is delivered the horrifying events as they unfolded, leaving a nightmare imprint, too horrible to even think about.
Ellen Savage, the only woman to survive stands out like one might encounter from a movie where the physical strength and mental endurance would be depicted beyond any human ability. In these terrible circumstances the reality showed Ellen Savage as a true to life hero, fearless, compassionate and despite her own extensive injuries she continued to care for those around her.
Ellen Savage was awarded the George Medal, “instituted by King George VI. It rewards acts of great bravery by civilians or military personnel in circumstances of extreme danger, where standard military honours do not apply.”
Ellen continued her nursing career and in administration. She was also formidable in raising funds for a four storey building in Brisbane for a living memorial to the Centaur and the nursing profession. It provided accommodation for young nurses with recreational and educational facilities. The Centaur Memorial Fund assisted in educational and training expenses for those entering the profession. Ellen was also involved in the formation of Legacy, which raised funds for war widows and their families, and for which still operates today.
The read also reveals the lives of the other survivors and the after effects of their experience along with the Yokohama War Crimes Trials and the case of the sinking of the Centaur.
The read introduces the lives of those on board the hospital ship Centaur, the crew, medical and nursing staff, cooks and general clerical staff. The story behind these people on board further enhances the book, bringing the reader into their private lives and to the reasons why many had put their hand up to be part of the hospital ship including those with previous war experience, traumatised by what they had been involved, thinking that this was a safe way to further serve their country.
This read brings to light a repeat of the cowardness, arrogance and brutality of the Japanese during World War 2, the nightmare of this event at 4.10 am when the ship was torpedoed; still dark would have added to the desperation by everyone in the water, wounded, some with life jackets others clinging to what ever debris they could find, legs deep in the water and sharks attracted to blood and movement. The reader is delivered the horrifying events as they unfolded, leaving a nightmare imprint, too horrible to even think about.
Ellen Savage, the only woman to survive stands out like one might encounter from a movie where the physical strength and mental endurance would be depicted beyond any human ability. In these terrible circumstances the reality showed Ellen Savage as a true to life hero, fearless, compassionate and despite her own extensive injuries she continued to care for those around her.
Ellen Savage was awarded the George Medal, “instituted by King George VI. It rewards acts of great bravery by civilians or military personnel in circumstances of extreme danger, where standard military honours do not apply.”
Ellen continued her nursing career and in administration. She was also formidable in raising funds for a four storey building in Brisbane for a living memorial to the Centaur and the nursing profession. It provided accommodation for young nurses with recreational and educational facilities. The Centaur Memorial Fund assisted in educational and training expenses for those entering the profession. Ellen was also involved in the formation of Legacy, which raised funds for war widows and their families, and for which still operates today.
The read also reveals the lives of the other survivors and the after effects of their experience along with the Yokohama War Crimes Trials and the case of the sinking of the Centaur.
April 19, 2026
The history of this event is so riveting, remarkable and inspiring. It’s a story I learnt whilst at the AWM and it was really interesting to learn more about the story and all the peoples lives this tragic event effected. The writing itself was a little all over the place and, at times, felt like it was trying to touch on every single life in this tale. I respected the effort to tell all of those stories but it did become quite overwhelming just in the fact that you spent such fleeting moments with each story. It was a really easy read in the end and I found the parts about the actual sinking of the ship the most compelling and emotional. I would recommend this book as it was super easy to read and is a very important part of our history.
June 15, 2026
The attack on the AHS Centaur was as Australian Prime Minister John Curtin described ‘barbarous’. It is among some of Australia’s most devastating wartime tragedies. The focus of this book is Army nurse Ellen Savage, and the author has presented her story is a moving and engaging way.
July 9, 2026
I have read several of Grantlee Kieza wonderfully researched and told works. This was another.
July 9, 2026
Exceptionally well researched. The accounts and life stories of so many of the survivors and those who went down with the ship is quite moving. Definitely recommend this to anyone interested in Aussie history.
September 5, 2026
This book was brilliant! A wealth of research went into this but it was an easy read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews