Hi Dave
Here are some Centurian references:
Following from ‘Adventurous Empires’ by Phillip E. Sims (Airlife 2000)
p.113
A year after Ceres ran aground on Lake Dingari, there was another accident in India. On 12 June 1939, Centurian was approaching the Hooghly River alighting area at Bally, outside Calcutta. There, Imperial Airways staff were awaiting the arrival of Captain Loraine home-bound from Sydney. Storms were approaching. The sky was black and, nearby, thunder and lightning were present. In the distance rain was marching towards them. The Hooghly was treacherous at the best of times. The fairway, always full of debris, was surrounded by small craft, fringed with large dockside cranes and bounded by the Willingdon Bridge. As Loraine turned the ‘boat onto the final approach, a squally wind blew. Touchdown seemed normal, but as she slowed, a gust of wind caught Centurian under the tail. The tail rose alarmingly and swung Centurian viciously to port. The ‘boat, still with considerable forward speed, dug her nose into the river and crabbed towards the shore. The sideways loading was too much for the hull and it was stove in, causing the ‘boat to roll and sink.
Of the five crew, Captain Loraine, First Officer E. A. T. Murray and Steward A. Carter were injured. Radio Officer E. B. Brown and Flight Clerk L. R. Smith escaped serious injury, but the same was not so for Mr. Kinlock, a passenger from Singapore, as he broke a leg. On shore, the station staff, Reg Moss included, summoned an ambulance and the other passengers and crew were despatched in the Imperial Airways passenger coach. From the time of the crash until the last person was ashore a mere 16 minutes had elapsed. An attempt to salvage the aircraft was made but later the strong currents had done much damage to the hulk. The aft section was beached and after a prolonged search the tailplane, fin, rudder, engines and fuel and oil tanks were recovered. The wings and forward fuselage had been damaged beyond repair.
Although three engines were recovered, the main body of the ‘boat broke in two, while attempts to lift her with chains were being made. Further repairs were not attempted. The wreck, which now lay in twelve feet of water at low tide, was a hazard to shipping and she was demolished with explosives.
Of the accident, Imperial Airways announced:
‘The Centurian, operating the airmail service from Sydney to Southampton, was damaged on alighting at Calcutta today, owing to a sudden north-wester lifting her tail and causing the aircraft to nose into the water; the passengers and crew were all saved without serious injury. The aircraft is partly submerged. The mails are being salved with the assistance of the port authorities.’
p.120 (14 March 1939 Corsair crash landed on River Dangu, near Faradje in the Belgian Congo.) ‘Still lacking their luggage, the passengers waited a few days at Juba. ..... Soon they continued their journey with Captain Foy and Centurian.
p.159
On 17 February 1938, the Empire Airmail Scheme was extended to Malaya. The first flight, made by Captain ‘Scotty’ Allan in Centurian, arrived in Karachi at dusk on 27 February, being accompanied by Coolangatta. Centurian carried 5,000 lb of mail, consisting of 181 mail bags and 40 packages. Centurian continued her journey across the subcontinent whilst indigenous airlines further distributed the India mail. Meanwhile Coolangatta flew on to Singapore, arriving on 2 March, several days before Centurian. On 9 March, ‘Scotty’ Allan departed Singapore, in Centurian, for Southampton but his stay in England was brief and he was soon Australia-bound again.
Following from Aeroplane Nov 2002
Cheers
Richard
