Globe, Sydney, Wednesday 3 April, 1912.
THE CAUSE OF HER DISAPPEARANCE.
Captain Richardson of the SS Paroo, who is
regarded as one of the most experienced
navigators along the Nor'West coast, in an
interview regarding the fate of the Koombana,
said that there were only two courses for the
master to adopt. If he tried to run before the
wind (from the NE), on his way to Broome,
he should have been heard of. As the vessel
has not been heard of, the indications are that
he tried to plug on through the weather, with
the wind on the starboard bow.
When Koombana departed Port Hedland for the last time she had an ugly list to port, which would have been significantly enhanced by the starboard wind catchment factor on her prominent superstructure. The description of the wind on the starboard bow suggests that the wind was more from the ENE.
Under such circumstances, wind and tide
would combine to make the leeway so great
that the vessel would probably fetch up on
Rowley Shoals, a treacherous coral reef, some
120 miles off Port Hedland. In this case it
would he hard to say how long the vessel
would last. A search of this locality can
only prove this theory right or wrong.
When Koombana departed Port Hedland for the last time she had an ugly list to port, which would have been significantly enhanced by the starboard wind catchment factor on her prominent superstructure. The description of the wind on the starboard bow suggests that the wind was more from the ENE.
Under such circumstances, wind and tide
would combine to make the leeway so great
that the vessel would probably fetch up on
Rowley Shoals, a treacherous coral reef, some
120 miles off Port Hedland. In this case it
would he hard to say how long the vessel
would last. A search of this locality can
only prove this theory right or wrong.
This is an interesting commentary.
Firstly the 'experienced navigator' suggested that Rowley Shoals were 120 miles off Port Hedland when in point of fact they were much further out, 180 miles!
It would be three days before Captain Upjohn's discovery of the oily patch and a boat from the doomed Koombana would be published in the press, confirming, together with other wreckage discoveries, the worst fears.
The location of wreckage and oil in the vicinity of Bedout Island confirms that Captain Allen decided to 'plug on through the weather' because although challenging, it was not cyclone force.
Firstly the 'experienced navigator' suggested that Rowley Shoals were 120 miles off Port Hedland when in point of fact they were much further out, 180 miles!
It would be three days before Captain Upjohn's discovery of the oily patch and a boat from the doomed Koombana would be published in the press, confirming, together with other wreckage discoveries, the worst fears.
The location of wreckage and oil in the vicinity of Bedout Island confirms that Captain Allen decided to 'plug on through the weather' because although challenging, it was not cyclone force.
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| courtesy Google Earth courtesy Trove |
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