THE TURNING POINT.

The following transcribed:

"Chief Harbormaster File      ? 8 April, 1912
Gorgon reports picking up panelled door twenty five miles north by west Bedout, painted white one side, polished other, silver fittings marked Cross flags Walker and Hall, finger plates each side, ornaments with Grecian urn with hanging wreath each side, door apparently forced by pressure, handle white side gone and reverse side drawn in, builders joiners written with Hard pencil first class Entrance four two nine J D lock marked N F Ramsey Company Newcastle on Tyne, several small leather Heads attached about Half Inch Long, steamer passed several small pieces Timber, one a painting stage, unusual number of birds about, Gordon acting wharfinger
8 pm"

This now well known discovery did indeed come from Koombana - Chief Steward's cabin door. Up until this point there had been hope of a Koombana adrift. At this turning point the message was clear, the flagship had gone to a watery grave and too many birds in the location invariably signaled the presence of floating bodies - sighted or otherwise.

Note again (see image below) how the telegram location of the discovery differs significantly from the official site.

My feeling is that distances quoted in these early telegrams were not accurate and it came down to coordinates quoted in respective steamer logs.

courtesy State Office Records, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy State Office Records, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy Google Earth