FIRST MAJOR VOYAGE.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 19 February, 1909.

NEW STEAMER KOOMBANA.

DUE TO-MORROW.

It may be safely said that steamers for the Australian

coastal trade are being built continuously in Great

Britain. The Koombana of the Adelaide Steamship

Company line which is due here tomorrow, makes

the third new steamer to arrive here within three

weeks, the others being the Kapunda of the Melbourne

Steamship Company line and the Eumarella, of the 

Howard Smith line. The Koombana, which is intended

for the service on the Northwest coast of Australia, has

already made calls at Fremantle and Adelaide, the 

object of her visit to Melbourne being to enter dry-

dock for an overhaul. She will afterwards return to

the north-west, and enter upon her duties there.

The Koombana is a steel-screw steamer of 3700 tons

gross burthen, having the following principal dimensions:

length 340 ft.                   correct

breadth 48 ft. 2 in.           correct

depth 20 ft. 8 in.              draught

As, in addition to ordinary cargo, the vessel has been fitted

for the carriage of livestock, the greatest care has been taken

to ensure the welfare of animals. Captain John Rees, an old

identity of the Adelaide Steamship Company, is bringing the 

Koombana to port, having gone to Scotland some months

ago to superintend her construction. He reports that the 

vessel left Glasgow on December, 29, during a severe

snowstorm, and after 36 hours delay at Greenock awaiting

snowbound passengers, a start was made at 7 am on the 31st.

Fine weather was met with on the run down the Irish Channel,

and across the Bay of Biscay. Las Palmas was passed on January

6, and Cape Verde on the 9th, the N.E. trade wind being carried

down to the sixth parallel. The equator was crossed on the 13th

and light S.E. winds were met with until within three days of

Cape Town, when strong headwinds and heavy seas considerably

delayed progress. 

It appears from the information given that Koombana averaged 13.5 knots between Las Palmas and Cape Verde. This was a reasonable average, although the steamer could make 15 knots if pushed.

Cape Town was reached on January 23, and after embarking 

passengers, Koombana sailed the following day, arriving at 

Durban on the 27th.

Her average of 13.5 knots was maintained for this leg of the voyage.

Here a large number of passengers joined, and departure was

made on the 28th. Fine weather prevailed down to the 27th

parallel. The Koombana passed close to Amsterdam Island

on the 5th inst; and the whistle was sounded, but there was

no sign of human life on the island. From thence to Fremantle

strong southerly winds and heavy beam seas were encountered.

The Koombana was not driven at full power on the run out, but

average over 13 knots from Durban.

This is in keeping with the previous averages. Interesting to note at this early stage that Koombana managed heavy beam seas and strong southerly winds, without incident. 

Her sea-going qualities proved to be exceptionally fine.

Captain Rees has with him the following officers:

Chief - H J Clark

Second - J Birch

Third - S J Nelson

Purser - D B Reid

Surgeon - Dr R M'Nair (not M'Mair)

Chief Engineer - J R M'Donald

Second - W J Shimmons

Chief Steward - A E Smith.