GORGON AND MINDEROO DISCOVERIES.

The West Australian, Perth, Wednesday 4 April, 1912.

KOOMBANA'S FATE.

DISCOVERY OF WRECKAGE.

HEAR BEDOUT ISLAND.

SMOKEROOM FURNITURE FOUND

MINDEROO ABANDONS HER SEARCH

It is practically certain that the loss of the

steamer Koonmbana will have to be added to

the long list of disasters in Australian waters.

The discovery of wreckage by the steamer

Gorgon reported yesterday caused the most

sanguine to lose hope that the vessel with

her large passenger list and complement of

officers and crew was still within the reach

of human aid, and the news which filtered

through during the day only pointed further

to the probability that the Koombana had

failed to live through the fury of the hurricane 

which swept the north-west coast a

fortnight ago. 

From a most authoritative source the intelligence 

was conveyed to the Premier that the state-room 

door found by the steamer Gorgon belonged either 

to the chief steward's room or the printing room,

situated close to the main saloon entrance on

the Koombana. At a later stage a telegraphic 

message came to hand from the Resident 

Magistrate at Port Hedland to the effect that 

Captain Mills, of the steamer Minderoo, had 

reported on his arrival at that place that he 

had picked up a smoke-room settee, and 

part of a cabin drawer, 70 miles west of 

Bedout Island, and the bottom boards of 

a boat about 50 miles west of the island.

The following is a copy of Captain Mills' elegant chart of his search:

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia; series 2357, cons 066

The news concerning the apparent fate of

the missing steamer had a depressing effect

on the residents of Fremantle, to whom the

officers and crew of the ill-fated steamer

were well known. The general opinion

among seafaring men was that the vessel

must have been the plaything of the elements 

for a brief period, prior to foundering, and 

the suggestion that she had been wrecked on 

any of the shoals was not received with favour..

Inquiries made at the offices of the Adelaide 

S.S. Company in regard to the telegrams 

received from the master of the A.U.S.N. 

liner Minderoo at Port Hedland, elicited the 

information that similar news had been furnished 

by the branch manager, Mr. Gardiner, at that port. 

From these it was plain to the management that 

the wreckage which Captain Mills had picked up 

had formerly been part and parcel of the 

Koombana's fittings.

The settee and red cushion which were

picked up approximately about 70 miles to

the westward of Bedout Island are according 

to the opinion of the manager. Mr. W. E Moxon

from the Koombana's smokeroom. In connection 

with the door which the master of the s.s. Gorgon 

reported having picked up, it is now considered 

that this would probably have belonged either to 

the chief steward's or the printer's room. Both

formed part of the vestibule, which was situated 

on the spar deck, underneath the hurricane deck, 

on the port side of the vessel, looking forward, 

and both were cedar covered. In fact, the whole 

of the outside portions of the vestibule were of 

polished cedar. The chief steward's and the 

printer's doors were painted white inside, as 

was the door picked up by the Gorgon. 

Apparently there were several leather-headed 

nails on the inside of this door, and this strengthens

the belief that it was the entrance to the chief 

steward's room. The chief steward was in the 

habit of hanging various articles of toilet on 

these nails the door having come from such 

a closed-in space of the vestibule under the 

hurricane deck, it is likely that a lot of other 

wreckage from the top deck will be floating 

round, and should be picked up by other 

vessels.

So far nothing definite has been decided

regarding the prolongation of the search.

Captain Townley, of the s.s. Gorgon, has

been asked to communicate to the master

of the s.s. Bullarra the news of the discovery 

of wreckage. The s.s. Moonta on her way 

up the coast is to coal the Bullarra at Cossack 

on April 8, but if she meets the Bullarra in 

Ashburton Roads en route she will coal her 

there.

It is reported that the passengers on the

Koombana included Mr. E. J. Dalton, a wool

classer, who was bound for Derby. His wife

and two children and his mother and sister

and two brothers reside in Hay-street West.

courtesy Trove

A SANGUINE ENGINEER.

The Advertiser, Adelaide, Wednesday 10 April, 1912.

THE KOOMBANA.

A SANGUINE ENGINEER.

The Broome correspondent of the "West

Australian" telegraphed to that paper on

April 1:

Mr. McDonald, an engineer, of Broome,

was sent to England specially by the 

Adelaide Steamship Company to supervise 

the construction and fitting of the Koombana

engines at Glasgow, and came out with her

as chief engineer. Up to the time of leaving 

the steamer to start in business at Broome 

with Mr. Low, he acted as chief engineer, 

and travelled in the steamer to Sydney, 

and up and down the Western Australian 

coast. Mr. Low was fourth engineer, and 

also came out from Glasgow in the vessel.

"The trial trip of the Koombana," said

Mr. McDonald, was at sea. She indicated

3.000 h.p., with a speed of 14 1/2 knots

throughout. Fully laden, her average

speed, however, was 13 1/2 knots."

"Was she a specially built ship so far as

stability was concerned?" he was asked.

"She was a magnificent vessel,'" he replied, 

"strongly built. Her tailing shaft was 25 per cent, 

above requirements. She had water-tight doors 

in every compartment, and was capable of 

carrying 900 tons of water ballast. Her engines 

were triple expansion, but not duplicate, and 

had all the latest auxiliary gear. It has been

stated that the vessel was 'top-heavy,' but

that is not true. - She is the best sea-boat I

have ever sailed in, and almost my last

trip in her was one of the worst from a

weather point of view that I have experienced. 

Her machinery was the best running I ever 

handled. I do not think that she has broken 

her tail shafting, which, as I have said, is 

made 25 per cent, above the requirements. 

My opinion is that she has met with some 

minor disablement, such as a mishap to the 

rudder, in which case she would be unmanageable, 

and repairs would have to be effected at sea. 

They have all the necessary appliances and 

facilities on board for doing such work. I have 

every hope that she will turn up partially repaired. 

You cannot do much in a week at sea in the way 

of repairs. Those who are anxious should take

heart, because the Koombana is a splendid sea 

vessel, and well equipped in every way."

This response mirrored that of Koombana's predecessors, Yongala and Waratah. It also, to some extent, explains delays in sending out search ships. Wreckage had already been discovered by this time which was not in keeping with Mr. M'Donald's optimism. 

It is interesting to note that rumours were already in circulation about Koombana being top heavy, which, as in the case of Yongala, were strongly refuted by representation of the Company. 

Yongala was also reported to have a tail shaft '25% above requirements'. It's almost as though this was a standard response from the ASSC, but was probably a specific requisite for both vessels, suggesting that these coastal steamers were prone to tail shaft failure or were more powerful than the norm.

Koombana was similar to Yongala in many respects apart from one: Yongala had water ballast tank capacity of 400 tons, whereas Koombana had a more than double 900 ton capacity. This in itself is interesting and points to the fact that Koombana, with her low draught and high top hamper, required greater compensatory ballasting. Such flexibility allowed her to gain access to spring tide ports such as Broome. But such flexibility was not without risk and required filling of ballast tanks at sea - in some conditions, a dangerous practice. When Koombana departed Port Hedland for the last time one imagines that depending on cargo quota on board her ballast tanks were appropriately filled. If not, I hate to think. 

Further to this the cattle deck had a necessary span of ventilation ports which, if not adequately secured, could have been a portal of water ingress while heeling and being struck by cross-seas.

Interesting to note that Mr. McDonald quoted Koombana's power at 3,000 ihp, whereas some sources refer to 4,000 hp installed.

Koombana - courtesy State Library of Western Australia

courtesy Trove

GOOD AND BAD FORTUNE.

The Advertiser, Adelaide, Friday 12 April, 1912.

THE STEAMER

KOOMBANA.

GOOD AND BAD FORTUNE.

The loss of the Koombana brings to light

many instances where trifling incidents and 

a chance change of plans have proved matters 

of life or death. There is a ship steward now 

living at Fremantle (says the "Age") who was 

given employment on the ill-fated Waratah just 

before that vessel sailed from Melbourne on 

her last voyage. At the last moment something 

occurred to prevent him joining the ship. 

Rather more than twelve months ago he was 

in search of work in Queensland, and obtained

a place on the Yongala. Owing to a domestic 

event he did not make the fateful voyage. 

A few months ago he reached Fremantle, 

and was negotiating for employment on 

the Koombana, when a more lucrative 

position was offered to him in a Fremantle 

hotel, and fortunately for himself he accepted 

it.

Mr. Norman Jamieson, chief officer of

the Koombana, who was a Williamstown,

resident, was formerly chief officer of the

Yongala. He changed to the Grantala

immediately before the Yongala sailed 

on her ill-fated voyage. From the Grantala 

he transferred to the Koombana, and 

twelve months to the day on exactly the 

opposite coast of Australia to where the 

Yongala foundered, he apparently lost 

his life.

Mr. Gunn, until recently second engineer of 

the Koombana, may congratulate himself on 

a luck escape. Desiring a temporary change, 

he arranged a transfer with Mr. A. Wassel of 

the Echunga, a cargo steamer trading between 

Fremantle and the eastern States. The transfer 

was made before the Koombana's last voyage,

and Mr. Wassel's name is in the list of missing.

Fate also was kind to a fireman. Mr. M.

Barrett, who may thank his own indulgence 

in strong drink for saving him from a watery 

grave. He appeared before the Fremantle 

court on March 12 on a charge of drunkenness. 

He was discharged with a caution. To use his 

own words, the company "sacked" him, and 

he consequently missed the trip on the 

Koombana. Some of his belongings, he has 

stated, were on the vessel.

Five of the deck hands on the Koombana

were until recently members of the Fremantle 

Lumpers' Union. A sixth signed on just before 

the vessel sailed on her last voyage. He, however, 

had a disagreement with the second officer, and 

left the boat just as she was casting off her 

moorings. He is thankful for that disagreement

now. 

Two inspectors of the Agricultural Department 

of Western Australia were lucky enough to just 

miss the voyage. They had arranged to leave 

for the north-west by the Koombana, when the 

department decided to make an enquiry into 

the necessity for their proposed visit, and the 

cost of it. As a result the trip was cancelled.

It is stated that one of the passengers

for Broome carried with him £2,500 in

cash. It was his intention to make

extensive cash purchases in the 

north-west.

SS Koombana (courtesy State Library Western Australia)

courtesy Trove

PASSENGERS AND CREW.

The Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 27 March, 1912.

The following passengers were booked at

Fremantle on the Koombana for ports

beyond Port Hedland, but it is possible that

some of them, including some commercial

travellers, may have broken their journey

at intermediate ports :-

Mr. Davis, 

Captain Pearson, 

Messrs. Simpson, 

T. Forrest, 

C. Piper, 

Geo. Piper, 

S. H. Slade ;

R. H. Jenkins, 

E. J. Dalton, 

J. Hayes,

D. Spark, 

W. Purcell, 

W. Poor,

 POOR. -In sad and loving memory of our dear

son and brother, William, who was lost on

the ill-fated steamer Koombana, Western 

Australla, 21st March, 1912.

Leaves have their time to fall

And flowers wither at the north wind's

breath;

Each season has its clime,

But who shall teach us when to look for

thee, O Death?

G. Harpur, 

F. Rustic, 

W. P. Milne, 

W. Smith,

W. Pitches, 

F. W. B. Clinch, 

M. Main,

W. L Cowan, 

J. S. Craigie, 

B. S. Taylor, 

R. F. Remey, 

Miss S. Skamp, 

Miss G. Skamp, 

Mrs. Pigott, 

Mrs. Sack, 

Miss Jenkins, 

Miss Gillam, 

Mrs. Gillam, 

Mr. J. Evans, 

Messrs. W. Davis, 

A. Baker, 

G. Martin, 

H. Hereford, 

E. Green, 

W. Smith, 

M. Vasey, 

D. Moswain, 

W. J. M'Kibbin, 

W. Vile, 

T. Goddard, 

J. Doyle, 

G. Barber, 

A. M'Crouble, and

Police Corporal Butcher.

The crew were as follows :-

T. Homni,

M. Allen (master), 

N. Jamieson (chief officer), 

W. R. A. Kilney (second officer), 

F. Q. Peacock (third officer), 

F. H. Harris (purser), 

J. Levins (boatswain), 

T. M. Grant (carpenter), 

A. Lyon (wireless operator), 

P. Clinton, 

F. Wilson, 

H. B. Rea, 

C. Stanley, 

T. M'Donnel, 

William A. Farnell, 

W. Carton, 

M. Ryan, 

M. Dwyer.

P. Dentlin, 

J. M'Crackin, and 

F. Gunning, 

A.B's Stewart and 

F. Herbert, ordinary seaman 

W. B. Innes (chief engineer), 

A. Wassel (second engineer), 

W. Kelly (third engineer), 

A. V. C. Christie (fourth engineer), 

J. C. Arrow (fifth engineer), 

J. Kiarna (donkeyman), 

W. Clark, 

J. Smith, 

J. Brown;

F. Watts, 

N. Norbin, 

H. Otford,

0. Olsen, 

W. Fitzpatrick, 

E. C. Devonport, 

T. O'Loghlin, 

T. M'Dermott, 

T. Thos. Taylor, 

A. Bryant, 

J. Downie, and

C. Peters (firemen), 

F. W. Johnson (chief, steward), 

J. J, Mangan (second steward), 

A. Freer (Stewardess), 

J. M'Dermott (assistant stewardess), 

J. Coughlin (forecabin steward), 

H. Stanley (Bar and Storekeeper), 

G. A. Gee (saloon waiter), 

W. P. Black (pantryman), 

H. Bow (night watchman), 

Walter Tutt (chief cook), 

H. Stanberg (second cook). 

A. E. Deller (baker), 

B. Walker (butcher), 

Evan Davies (scullion), 

P. Parrance, 

A. Durham, 

C. H. Benedict,

Edward Wardlaw, 

J. Hughes, 

J. Blades,

A. Salkild, 

S. W. Reynolds, 

F. J. Winpenny, 

Wm. Dick, 

Jas. Crosbie, 

Wm, Cant, 

R. Davies, 

W. Burkin, 

0. Jones,

J. Jackson, 

H. Smith, and 

P. Finnerty, stewards.

Western Mail, 13 April, 1912

ONE OF THE STEWARDS.

To the Editor.

Sir,-I should he pleased if you will make

an alteration in my brother's name in the

list of stewards of the s.s. Koombana. His

name has been reported as A. Durham, and

A. Deerham, but it should be Henry Durham. 

He has only been in Western Australia

about eight months, having previously had

experience on the Cape route from 

Southampton in the Union Castle Company's

liners, and also on the Brazil route -with

the Royal Mail Co. He in the son of 

W. Durham, the well-known butcher of 

Brighton, England.-Yours, etc..

W. DURHAM, Jun.

Fremantle, April 4.

Later.

The telephone lines are still down north

of Roebourne, and the only message re-

ceived in this city to-day regarding the

recent hurricane was a police telegram

from Roebourne. This was to the effect

that a Malay seaman, named Ben Ahmat,

who belonged to the lugger Clara, which

foundered during the storm, arrived at

Roebourne at 7 o'clock last night after

a terrible experience. He was in the

water for six hours, swimming from

Moore Island to the mainland, and was

five days without food. He said the

luggers Karakatta and Britannia, of

Scanlon's fleet, which were lying close

to the Clara, had disappeared, and he

believed both had gone down. James

Scanlon and six coloured men comprised

the crew of the Karakatta, and Henry 

Scanlon and seven coloured men were

on the Britannia.

courtesy Google Earth

The West Australian, Perth, Saturday 30 March, 1912.

PASSENGERS AND

CREW.

Particulars of the complete passenger list

are being gradually collected and corrections

made in the original list printed in the Press.

In the list already published of the crew

the name of the wireless operator should

read H. A. Lyon, and that of'the ship's 

carpenter T. M. Grant. Of the passengers,

Mrs. Sack, for Broome, is supposed to have

taken a young lady named Miss Price with

her. Mr. A. Davis, who booked at Fremantle

by the Koombana, had only arrived from the 

Eastern States by one of the mail boats a few 

days before leaving for the North-West. Mr. 

J. S. Davis, representing Messrs. Siebe, 

Gorman and Co., at Broome, left Fremantle 

with his family and eight white divers, who 

arrived from home recently in the W.A.S.N. 

liner Paroo on her last trip northward. 

Requiring to transact some business at 

Port Hedland, he caught the Paroo on her 

return journey, and after spending, a couple 

of hours at Hedland, is supposed to have 

caught the Koombana en route for Broome. 

Last night, however, the Adelaide Company 

received from their Port Hedland office a list 

of the passengers booked there to join the 

Koombana, which list does not include Mr. 

Davis's name. The names despatched by 

the Hedland office are as follows:

For Broome: 

Joseph Johnson, 

Capt. Stuart, H. Brider, 

Hassan, a Japanese, 

aboriginal and Malay prisoners.

For Derby: 

J. McGowan,

Messrs. E. H. Fothergill and Co., agents

for Messrs. Siebe, Gorman and Co., in 

Western Australia, have wired to Broome 

and Port Hedland for definite information 

regarding Mr. Davis's movements.

Other corrections in the list published in

yesterday's issue are:-

W. Hereford, to read W. Hurford; 

F. Rustle, to read Corporal Buttle; 

H. S. Taylor, to read.A. S. Taylor,

these being passengers for Derby; 

Mrs. and Miss Gillam, for Broome, to read 

Mrs. and Miss Gilliam, who were booked on 

behalf of the Gaol Department; and Rev. 

Mani to read Mr. R. W. Main.

Mr. Kinley, the second officer of the

Koombana, is the only son of Mr. W.. H.

Kinley, of Mt. Gambier, South Australia. It

is thought likely that Mr. Black, the pantry

man, is a son of Mr. James Black, of Penola,

in the same State.

There is nothing so sobering as a list of names to bring home the harsh reality of a steamer lost with all hands.

courtesy Trove

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