During the course of this blog I have delved with enthusiasm into the complexities that comprise the Koombana disaster. 109 years ago, 20 March, 1912, Captain Allen made a fatal decision to take his ship and compliment to sea. After what must have been a frustrating period attempting to fill ballast tanks, the top heavy Koombana headed due north from Port Hedland and into history. What form the disaster took and where remains a mystery to this day. Further searches might finally establish where this majestic steamer lies. But is Koombana ready to give up her secrets quite yet?
On such a day as this it behoves us to remember those lost with the ship.
The Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 27 March, 1912.
The following passengers were booked at
Fremantle on the Koombana for ports
beyond Port Hedland, but it is possible that
some of them, including some commercial
travellers, may have broken their journey
at intermediate ports :-
Mr. Davis,
Captain Pearson,
Messrs. Simpson,
T. Forrest,
C. Piper,
Geo. Piper,
S. H. Slade ;
R. H. Jenkins,
E. J. Dalton,
J. Hayes,
D. Spark,
W. Purcell,
W. Poor,
POOR. -In sad and loving memory of our dear
POOR. -In sad and loving memory of our dear
son and brother, William, who was lost on
the ill-fated steamer Koombana, Western
Australla, 21st March, 1912.
Leaves have their time to fall
And flowers wither at the north wind's
breath;
Each season has its clime,
But who shall teach us when to look for
thee, O Death?
G. Harpur,
F. Rustic,
W. P. Milne,
W. Smith,
W. Pitches,
F. W. B. Clinch,
M. Main,
W. L Cowan,
J. S. Craigie,
B. S. Taylor,
R. F. Remey,
Miss S. Skamp,
Miss G. Skamp,
Mrs. Pigott,
Mrs. Sack,
Miss Jenkins,
Miss Gillam,
Mrs. Gillam,
Mr. J. Evans,
Messrs. W. Davis,
A. Baker,
G. Martin,
H. Hereford,
E. Green,
W. Smith,
M. Vasey,
D. Moswain,
W. J. M'Kibbin,
W. Vile,
T. Goddard,
J. Doyle,
G. Barber,
A. M'Crouble, and
Police Corporal Butcher.
The crew were as follows :-
T. Homni,
M. Allen (master),
N. Jamieson (chief officer),
W. R. A. Kilney (second officer),
F. Q. Peacock (third officer),
F. H. Harris (purser),
J. Levins (boatswain),
T. M. Grant (carpenter),
A. Lyon (wireless operator),
P. Clinton,
F. Wilson,
H. B. Rea,
C. Stanley,
T. M'Donnel,
William A. Farnell,
W. Carton,
M. Ryan,
M. Dwyer.
P. Dentlin,
J. M'Crackin, and
F. Gunning,
A.B's Stewart and
F. Herbert, ordinary seaman
W. B. Innes (chief engineer),
A. Wassel (second engineer),
W. Kelly (third engineer),
A. V. C. Christie (fourth engineer),
J. C. Arrow (fifth engineer),
J. Kiarna (donkeyman),
W. Clark,
J. Smith,
J. Brown;
F. Watts,
N. Norbin,
H. Otford,
0. Olsen,
W. Fitzpatrick,
E. C. Devonport,
T. O'Loghlin,
T. M'Dermott,
T. Thos. Taylor,
A. Bryant,
J. Downie, and
C. Peters (firemen),
F. W. Johnson (chief, steward),
J. J, Mangan (second steward),
A. Freer (Stewardess),
J. M'Dermott (assistant stewardess),
J. Coughlin (forecabin steward),
H. Stanley (Bar and Storekeeper),
G. A. Gee (saloon waiter),
W. P. Black (pantryman),
H. Bow (night watchman),
Walter Tutt (chief cook),
H. Stanberg (second cook).
A. E. Deller (baker),
B. Walker (butcher),
Evan Davies (scullion),
P. Parrance,
A. Durham,
C. H. Benedict,
Edward Wardlaw,
J. Hughes,
J. Blades,
A. Salkild,
S. W. Reynolds,
F. J. Winpenny,
Wm. Dick,
Jas. Crosbie,
Wm, Cant,
R. Davies,
W. Burkin,
0. Jones,
J. Jackson,
H. Smith, and
P. Finnerty, stewards.
Western Mail, 13 April, 1912
ONE OF THE STEWARDS.
To the Editor.
Sir,-I should he pleased if you will make
an alteration in my brother's name in the
list of stewards of the s.s. Koombana. His
name has been reported as A. Durham, and
A. Deerham, but it should be Henry Durham.
He has only been in Western Australia
about eight months, having previously had
experience on the Cape route from
Southampton in the Union Castle Company's
liners, and also on the Brazil route -with
the Royal Mail Co. He in the son of
W. Durham, the well-known butcher of
Brighton, England.-Yours, etc..
W. DURHAM, Jun.
Fremantle, April 4.
“Now the night's breath responds to the sea, which I can scarcely hear from here, as it reminisces about its shipwrecks.”
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