THE CONVERSATION THAT MATTERED.

Westralian Worker, 2 February, 1923

KOOMBANA ECHO

A TALE WHICH POINTS TO A MORAL.

Although it is nearly eleven years

since the the Koombana was wrecked

during a cyclone on the Nor"-West

coast, interest is still being taken in

that ship.

A few weeks ago a skipper on the

Nor"-West run reported having struck

an obstacle which he believed to be

the hulk of the Koombana. Perhaps

an effort will be made to ascertain the

truth or otherwise of the captain's

theory.

A writer in the "Harbour." a New

South Wales publication, gives some

interesting history about the wreck.

He says that on March 21, 1912, the 

captain of the ill-fated vessel, while at 

Port. Hedland, going north, had a 

consultation, with the captain of the

Bullarra, which was also at Port Hedland, 

on her way south.

"The gist of the conversation has

never before been published," says

"Harbour," but this is what took

place:—

Captain Allen Koombana: "I do

not like the look of the weather. 

Captain Upjohn; what do you intend 

doing?"

Captain Upjohn (Bullarra): "I have

made up my mind to go out and your

boat is a far better one than mine."

Captain Allen: "Well, if you intend

going out, I do not suppose it will do

for me to stop here."

That settled it; both boats put out

to sea. The Koombana was lost, and

the Bullarra received a terrific buffeting, 

but managed to weather the storm.

If Captain Allen had used his own

judgment, the probability is that he

would have remained at Port Hedland

until the blow was over. On the

other hand if he had stayed at Port

Hedland and there had not been a

cyclone, the company would most 

likely have censured him. When a ship

stays in port, every hour means money.

Captain Allen's devotion to the Adelaide 

S.S. Company cost him his life, and the 

lives of all who were at that time committed 

to his care.

Under Socialism, captains of steamers 

would be given to understand at all

times that profits were a secondary

consideration, human life paramount.

A final political statement underscoring a fatal error of judgment on the part of Captain Allen.

Cyclone Veronica - courtesy BBC

Note that more than 3 months later, it had not been established what in fact the steamer Bambra struck.....

Courtesy Trove.