The Register, Adelaide, 27 April, 1912.
Matthew John Williams, marine superintendent
in Western Australia of the Adelaide Steamship Co.,
in his evidence stated that he had superintended the
loading of the ship before she left Fremantle. He
gave particulars of the cargo shipped, and was of
opinion that it would not shift. The vessel took
sufficient water at Fremantle to last her for the
round trip.
This short extract is very important in two respects:
1. Koombana did not replenish water at Port Hedland which means that the fresh water tanks would have not been pressed up = free water effect = contributing to a list to port or starboard. The Inquiry made one of its false claims with a clue attached. 871 tons of water in Koombana's ballast tanks when she departed Port Hedland was an untruth. Captain Allen could not clear the outer bar with his tanks full. He in fact said that he would go straight out to sea and fill his tanks there. However, this said, the shortfall of 29 tons to make up a maximum capacity of 900 tons applies surely to the fresh water component utilized up to and including departure from Port Hedland. The fresh water tanks were 4 and 5, midships.
2. 260 tons of cargo is 14.4 % of total potential 1800 tons cargo carrying capacity (800 tons refrigeration and 1000 tons general cargo). The term 'rattling about' comes to mind and I would have liked one of the experts from the era to explain how this small component was secured in order that it could NOT shift. Without the deployment of skids, temporary partitions etc, I remain skeptical.
courtesy Trove.
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