CYCLONE MISSED BEDOUT ISLAND.

The West Australian, Saturday 30 March, 1912.

THE KOOMBANA,

NO TRACES DISCOVERED.

BULLARRA'S RETURN.

A DEPRESSING REPORT

MINDEROO DUE TO-DAY

Any hope of the Bullarra's first search for

the Koombana being successful was crushed

last night, when advices were received that

the steamer reached Broome at 4 o'clock 

yesterday and signalled to the lighthouse a

significant three-word message, "No news

Koombana." The Bullarra searched the Bedout 

and Turtle islands, and the waters on route to 

Broome, where there was held to be a possibility 

of the Koombana, if still on the water, being found. 

All day her arrival was anxiously awaited, and when

late in the afternoon the report of the captain was 

made known hope was as good as abandoned in 

regard to the missing steamer and her passengers 

and crew having escaped the terrible fate of the 

Yongala, the Waratah, and many another ship which 

has gone down to the sea, never to be heard of again.

At 9.30 p:m. the Premier (Mr. Scaddan)

received the following cable message from

the resident magistrate at Broome:--"Bullarra 

arrived here at 4 p.m. Captain reports having 

left Hedland on March 27 at 2 p.m., and 

circumnavigated Little Turtle Island; no trace 

Koombana. The chief officer landed at Big Turtle 

Island at 3 p.m.: no trace. Reached Bedout 

Island at 9.40 p.m. Light out. Anchored and 

landed 5.30 a.m.; searched island and adjacent

rocks, but no traces whatever. Do not think 

blow was severe at Bedout. The glass in the 

lighthouse is not crusted, and there are no 

indications of a disturbance. Made a detour 

across to Broome via the beach, but not the 

slightest trace. Spoke to several luggers."

As we know thus far, most of the Koombana wreckage was discovered north of Bedout Island. It is extraordinary that Captain Upjohn reported no signs of disturbance at Bedout Island, suggesting that the path of the cyclone by-passed this location.

Most Nor'west cyclones occur in the 500 mile band between Exmouth and Broome (see image), with an average of 5 occurring during the tropical summer season. Out of these 2 are likely to cross the coast and 1 severe enough to cause damage. Captain Allen of the Koombana must have been aware of this frequency and it poses the question why more caution was not exercised, given that barometer readings would have been dropping well in advance of the system approaching the coast? 

Late in the summer season (March) the cyclones tend to occur more south, sometimes as far as the west coast (Fremantle). Cyclones off the Nor'west can move in different directions. However, having said this, most move in a west-southwest direction and once striking the coast, accelerate in a southeast direction. 

The absence of damage witnessed at Bedout Island further suggests that the cyclone by-passed on the western side, the centre ultimately making landfall in the vicinity of Balla Balla. One wonders if the course to Broome shaping around the outer aspect of Bedout Island even fell within the influence of the cyclone?  

In Annie Boyd's outstanding Koombana Days reference is made to the fact that Upjohn could have been underplaying the possibility of the cyclone striking Bedout Island. Allegedly 17 days after the disaster, maimed and dead birds were discovered on the island suggesting that it had been subjected to hurricane forces. My question is a simple one: how could maimed birds have lasted 17 days? 

The Minderoo was supposed to have been

due at Cossack last night. In anticipation

of her return from a search in the vicinity

of Montebello Islands the post office in Perth

requested the postmaster at Roebourne to

speak at 10 o clock last night and communicate 

any news. At that hour a wire was sent stating 

that so far there was no sign of the Minderoo at 

Cossack. She is not now expected to put in an 

appearance till this evening. Should she, like the 

Bullarra, have no news to impart, it is expected 

that her master will be instructed to search from

Montebello Islands to the Rowley Shoals,

returning to Port Hedland two or three

days later.

The Moira, which left Wyndham on

Thursday for Fremantle, will pass through

the Lacepedes to Montebello Islands stretch

to-day, making Fremantle towards the end

of next week.

Captain F. L. Parkes, of Perth, stated

last evening that he had communicated

with his partner at Onslow requesting that

the firm's pearling fleet should keep a look

out for the missing steamer: He had received 

a reply to the effect that the lugger Redvill 

had just arrived and reported that all was 

safe at the Montebello Islands. The force of 

the gale was only moderate there, and no 

sign of the Koombana had been seen.

All being well the Rowley Shoals were

searched by the Blue Funnel liner Gorgon

yesterday, and that vessel should reach

Broome some time to-day.

The Una will to-day leave Geraldton for

Cossack, where definite instructions regarding 

her search operations are to. be handed

to the captain.

At noon yesterday the Roebourne's post

master reported inability to do any business 

with Whim Creek. A thunderstorm was on, 

and the weather was threatening. A few hours 

later the postmaster advised having spoken 

to the line-repairing party at the Sherlock River, 

where an extensive break was reported, one of 

the lines being washed away. Instructions were 

forwarded to hurry along repairs to the line which

was least damaged.

Port Hedland reported yesterday afternoon 

that the lineman, equipped with a field telephone, 

sent out to the Turner River had not yet spoken, 

and the postmaster at Port Hedland was becoming

anxious regarding his safety. He requested to be 

allowed to hire a horse and proceed there himself. 

The head office immediately advised him to take 

that course.

The Consul for Norway (Mr. R. S. Haynes)

has arranged that the captain and other 

survivors from the wreck of the Crown of 

England shall be brought from Balla Balla to

Fremantle by the SS Gorgon.

courtesy Google Earth

courtesy Google Earth

The official meteorology report at the Inquiry described the diameter of the cyclone as being 90 miles, centre, Balla Balla. Even with this generous estimate, the force of the hurricane did NOT impact on Koombana's route north of Port Hedland, shaping a course round Bedout Island, which was clearly NOT impacted. The Bullarra steamed into hurricane conditions, 22 miles from Balla Balla, 4 pm 20 March, which suggests that the diameter was actually considerably smaller than 90 miles. 

courtesy Trove