ANNIVERSARY.

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

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.”

― Joe Bousquet

Annie Boyd's outstanding 'Koombana Days' provides a complete overview of those lost with Koombana.

'Rough sea and wreckage', William Turner.