"AN UGLY LIST TO PORT."

Endeavouring to get as close to the truth as possible it is important to be able to cross-reference and substantiate statements and claims. Perhaps the most significant of these were the claims made by the proprietor of the Hedland Advocate, Mr. Barker.

Contrary to Court witness evidence, which I believe to be heavily biased in favour of the owners of Koombana, Mr. Barker conveyed the Port Hedland Harbour Master's alleged claim that the flagship was in extremely light condition, drawing 11 ft. forward and 16 ft. aft. when she departed, 20 March. 

'The harbourmaster made an assertion that 

the Koombana was drawing 11 feet forward 

and 16 feet aft.' 

The Court of inquiry came to the conclusion that Koombana was drawing 19 ft. aft. and 12 ft. forward; highly unlikely given her lading status (260 tons cargo) and empty ballast tanks. To validate Mr. Barker's reporting the facts need to make sense and the draft figures do - see previous posts on draft. 

We know that 20 March there was a strong wind ---> gale from the NE and a heavy ground swell coming in from the NW. This would have created turbulence (choppy sea) over the outer bar of the port, substantiated by the following extract:

'As the Koombana went out a choppy

sea was rolling through the harbor 

entrance. Mr. Barker watched the 

vessel from his house on the foreshore,

and she had an ugly list to port. She

was rolling heavily, her propeller at

times being out of the water.'

It makes sense that the lightly laden, top heavy vessel 'rolled heavily' with 'her propeller at time being out of the water' = pitching.

But what about the 'ugly list to port' which, in 4 concise words, confirmed that Koombana was significantly top heavy?

Given the fact that the wind came from the NE (ENE, some sources) illustrates that the wind force would primarily have impacted the starboard side of the steamer which, with her numerous decks, presented a significant wind-catchment surface area. Such a force would naturally have caused a list to port rather than starboard in a top heavy vessel, given that Koombana was exiting Port Hedland heading in a roughly northerly direction.

A list (probably 'ugly') to port, confirmed.

There is more to support Mr. Barker's reporting than that presented at the Inquiry.

note the direction of the wind, 20 March, from the NE.
courtesy Google Earth