THE 'OLD SEA-DOGS' KNEW.

Truth, Perth, 30 March 1912.

"For Those in Peril."

"Koombana's Chances Considered."

Though the young men of the

"West" and "News" valiantly strive

to instill a spirit of hope in the public

mind regarding the Koombana, most of

those who have relatives and friends

aboard are prepared for the worst news

that can come to hand. The best

that the sea-tanned mariners of our water

front can offer in the way of consolation

is that Skipper Allen would at the first hint 

of trouble, get as much seaway as he could, 

and that the heavy send of the seas may have 

stripped the Koombana of her propellers.

Koombana had one propeller.

But even the most optimistic of the

experts shakes his head doubtfully

when he is reminded that the Koombana

is a twin-screw boat, and, therefore,

to some extent, would be able, to

dodge the dreaded "racing' caused by

mountainous waves.

And precisely why Captain Allen predicted

that he would not get to Broome by the following

day: - racing = reduced thrust = reduced overall speed.

There is also a disposition on the part of doleful

Jeremiahs to confute the published assertions

that the Koombana behaves magnificently in

bad weather. These pessimists declare that the

missing steamer is exceptionally "tender"-

and - that her designers and builders in

the effort to supply a comfortable ship for a

tropical climate gave her too much top hamper

("wind surface" is what the old sea-dogs call it.)

and too little grip or draught.

And with that the threat of losing steering control in 

heavy seas and broaching.

But these speculations can be discussed and

decided only by those who have knowledge

of marine architecture and of the calculable 

forces of wind and wave. The ships that

the Adelaide S.S. Co has provided for

the Australian coastal trade have been

mostly noted for their weatherly qualities,

and they have always been splendidly

officered. The outlook is not a

pleasant one; admittedly there is little

to build on when a well-found steamer

is seven days overdue on a 24 hour trip. 

And the Koombana's chances

are lessened by the fact of the Bullarra

(a grand sea boat) getting such

a buffeting; for the younger ship was

not the equal of the slow, old tub in

tropical disturbances. There is widespread

sympathy with those whose

hearts are wrung by anxiety for near

and dear ones on the missing steamer,

and it is only simple truth to say that

even if the worst anticipations are fulfilled,

the public will be greatly shocked.