On the morning of 15 May 1943, the American destroyer departed Brisbane to escort the 11,063 ton New Zealand freighter Sussex on the first stage of the latter's trans-Tasman voyage.Milligan and Foley, Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, pp. 144–5 At 2:00 pm, a lookout aboard Mugford reported an object on the horizon. Around the same time, a Royal Australian Air Force Avro Anson of No. 71 Squadron, flying ahead on anti-submarine watch, dived towards the object. The aircraft returned to the two ships and signalled that there were shipwreck survivors in the water requiring rescue. Mugfords commanding officer ordered Sussex to continue alone as Mugford collected the survivors.Gill, Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945, p. 257Smith, Three Minutes of Time, p. 33 Marksmen were positioned around the ship to shoot sharks, and sailors stood ready to dive in and assist the wounded.Milligan and Foley, Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, p. 149 Mugfords medics inspected each person as they came aboard and provided necessary medical care. The American crew learned from the first group of survivors that they were from the hospital ship Centaur.
