THE REEF, NOT THE CYCLONE.

LOSS OF K00MBANA.

Daily Post, Hobart, 6 April, 1912

LOSS OF KOOMBANA

MORE WRECKAGE FOUND

ILL-FATED SKIPPER'S FEARS.

PERTH, Friday,

The captain of the steamer Minderoo,

which was engaged in the Koombana 

search, has found in the vicinity of

Bedout Island, a smokingroom

cushion, portion of a cabin drawer,

the bottom of a boat and a small 

teak panel. The captain considers

the ship was lost in the vicinity of

Bedout Island. 

Reports from Port Hedland show

that the captain of the Koombana

was for some time disinclined to put

to sea on March 20 and eventually 

said, "I'm going straight out to sea,

and will be lucky if I get to Broome

by Saturday."

The opinion is held in Port Hedland

that owing to the automatic light on 

Bedout Island going out, the captain

of the Koombana misjudged his

position, and getting onto one of

the reefs, was at the mercy of the 

elements.

It is important to note the time frame; 15 days after Koombana failed to arrive at Broome. Wreckage had finally been discovered removing all doubt as to what had befallen the steamer. Full details of the extent of the Balla Balla Cyclone were known, and yet, the opinion held in Port Hedland was NOT one of the steamer being destroyed by the cyclone but rather striking the reef off Bedout Island, placing Captain Irvine, Chief Harbour Master at Fremantle in an awkward spot. The light had been out for one week prior to the disaster, reports submitted to Fremantle, but no official warning issued to shipping. 



courtesy Trove