DECEMBER, 1908, CYCLONE

The West Australian, Wednesday 16 December, 1908

THE STORM AT CONDON.

SEVERAL DERELICT LUGGERS.

Condon, December 15.

• A severe storm took place here on the

7th, 8th, and 9th inst., the glass falling

slowly on the 7th. The wind increased to

a hurricane, blowing from east to south

east from about 5 p.m. on the 8th. until

3 a.m. on the 9th. The lowest glass was

29.30.

Fix this text

One assumes that lessons were learned with regard to the pattern and warnings of cyclones in the Nor'-West. This notably destructive willy willy was heralded by the barometer falling slowly. Furthermore, the reading dropped from 29.9 to the lowest reading, 29.30 (down 0.6) during the worst of the hurricane conditions. Wind came from the east which was an important indicator. The barometer reading, Port Hedland, 6 a.m., 20 March, 1912, was 29.50 (down 0.4) and wind from the NE. Did they need further convincing??

Port Hedland was apparently on the

edge of the disturbance. The morning of

Tuesday, the 8th inst., saw the sky over

cast with heavy clouds.. There was a

strong wind from the south-east, which

by 8 o'clock was from east, and at 11

o'clock from the north-east.. It was then

almost impossible for pedestrians to

make headway against it. At 6 p.m.

the wind had gone back to the east and

lulled somewhat. The lowest barometrical 

record was 29.28 deg. at 5 p.m. on the 

8th. This, curiously enough, is identical 

with the point reached by the barometer 

at the Port Hedland Post Office during the 

Wallal blow last April.

No damage was done at.Port Hedland.

The rainfall locally was 12 points, but

the surrounding stations report much

heavier falls.

A fascinating comparison with the morning of 20 March, 1912. In this instance, cloud cover and winds were stronger, but in both cases, winds NOT destructive; heavy rains reported. The brunt of hurricane-force winds struck Condon, as reported, 47 n miles to the northeast of Port Hedland. Interesting that the centre of the  'Koombana Blow' hit Balla Balla, 50 n miles to the southwest. It does appear that the cyclone was moving down the coast (La Grange / Wallal / Condon) and the full force should theoretically have impacted Port Hedland in due course.

If the cyclone, as reported, made landfall and tracked inland at Condon instead of striking Port Hedland, the wind direction should have shifted clockwise through south and into the southwest and west.  Shifting to east and then northeast is the wrong way round for this scenario.

The system must have tracked down the coast, hugging land until it reached Condon, whereupon it shifted direction and headed back out to sea rather than inland. What remained of the system tracked westward, well out to sea, producing wind direction shifts, as described, hurricane forces by-passing Port Hedland.

One thing is clear, although Port Hedland in both cases, escaped wind destruction, heavy precipitation was a component of the broader system. 

Given examples such as this, it would initially have been difficult for the two captains to predict where the impending cyclone was and it's direction of movement (common denominator; wind from the east). However, once at sea, and Koombana filling tanks, it would have become obvious that Bullarra would be steaming into the system and Koombana not; illustrated by this important eye witness account of a cattleman on board Bullarra steaming southwestward:

"After lunch, while having a smoke, looking 

ahead, I noticed away on the starboard bow 

and just above the horizon, a dense mass 

of inky black clouds and from descriptions 

I'd had from old pearlers,  I was convinced 

we were in for it." 

Full report:

THE PEARLING

DISASTER.

LAST TUESDAY'S HURRICANE

NEWS FROM BROOME.

HEAVY -DEATH ROLL,

20 LIVES LOST.

26 MEN MISSING.

SEVERAL BOATS UNACCOUNTED

FOR.

COAST STREWN WITH WRECKAGE.

Broome, December 15.

After the very severe weather experienced 

here during Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, 

the 6th, 7th, and 8th inst., when over 5in. of 

rain fell, accompanied by terrific winds, grave 

fears were entertained for the safety of those boats that

had not made Broome.

The first intimation of anything to

cause alarm for those outside was a 

telegram received from the postmaster at

La Grange in answer to one sent, by Mr.

Davis, which read as follows:--"December 

12. From postmaster, La Grange, to

M. Rubins.-Regret unable give information. 

Trying but unable get messenger to go down. 

Understand McDonald is at Bossut. Chamberlain 

arrived there on Sunday; was to have left for 

his boats to-day. Weather very bad here.

Will send messenger soon as possible "

Later on the same day Mr. Davis received 

from the postmaster at La Grange

the following:--"Two of Johnstone's

boats foundered trying to enter Bossut

Creek. Three Japanese drowned. There

were several boats outside which are 

supposed to have gone south. No details.

Information meagre. All of Chamberlain's 

boats safe. Tremendous seas running. 

Supposed several boats along the

90-mile Beach. Messenger leaves Bossut

to-night." "From J. McDonald, La Grange, to: 

M. Rubins.- One of William's boats, fiddle-bowed, 

came into Bossut yesterday. No other strangers

except Delaware.", "From, postmaster;

La Grange, to M. Rubins.- Bardwell just

arrived here.' Flora. lost and supposed

Lilian also -at Gourdon Bay."

On receipt of the above telegrams Mr.

Davis, still desirous of obtaining the fullest 

possible information, again telegraphed to 

the postmaster at La Grange to spare no 

expense, in keeping him well posted with 

all details that may come in and to render 

what assistance he could.

On the following day, the 11th inst.,,the

following further telegrams were received:-

"From Postmaster, La Grange,

-to M. "Rubins.--Man has started from

here to patrol beach and report by telephone. 

Association bearing expense."

Later on in the day the postmaster

again telegraphed:--"Marion here, lost

mainmast. No report of schooner. Johnson 

lost two boats, Clarke one. Plenty

boats outside trying to get in ,dismasted.

Some boats in Whistler's Creek on beach.

Various others supposed to be ashore

along beach. Police left this morning

to patrol beach. Bardwell lost two,

one at Gourdon 'Bay."

From this it will be noticed that a

mistake has arisen somewhere. The

Flora and the Lilian are the two boats.

referred to, under Mr. Bardwell's charge,

but the latter arrived in Broome on

Wednesday, and is now probably at

Gourdon Bay with the object of refloating 

the Flora. The surmise that the

Lilian had foundered was no doubt due

to the fact that she was known to be

endeavouring to enter Gourdon Bay, but

instead she made for Broome.

-Mr. Davis. also received. the following

telegram from Mr. Joe Eacott, who 

rendered such valuable aid during the

April blow. Five other men arrived at

station and reported Grace was on the

beach 10 miles below Chain Mangrove.

One man drowned. Another lugger sank

close to their boat. When they parted

chains they cut both masts out. Reported 

schooner in difficulties when last seen. 

Grace's diver saw eight other boats cut 

masts out; five men now at station requiring 

assistance. Keeping them pending orders."

Mr. Stanley Rigall, the secretary of the

Pearlers' Association, received the 

following telegram :-"Two Malays arrived

at Eacott's and report lugger Louisa

ashore Joubert and that a lot of other

boats cut away their masts. This blow

worse than last one. Lugger Welcome

wrecked, at Whistler's Creek. No reply

from Bossut yet."

At 8 a.m. on the 11th inst. the line.

man reported from the south side of

Zumfeld's station that Mr. Gregory's

schooner was ashore and that there was

other wreckage along the beach. Mr

Zumfeld and other men are on the beach

to try and assist. The Pearlers' Association 

has despatched the steamer Sultan to search 

pearling grounds as far as Mount Blaze. A 

lugger has also been despatched from 

Bossut for the same purpose, but to work 

close in shore. A man with horses and a 

telephone instrument has been sent from 

La Grange to the coast near Zumfeld's and 

patrols have been .established on the 90

Mile Beach.-. The postmasters at Condon

and Wallal have been asked to supply all

information.

The Sultan, which arrived here on

Thursday morning after a very severe

passage from Port Hedland, left port

with the object of patrolling the coast

and rendering assistance. This action

was taken after consultation between the

acting Resident Magistrate. (Mr. A. S.

Forbes), the representatives of the 

Pearlers' Association, and Captain 

Townley. Mr. Forbes is acting on behalf 

of the Government, although in view of the

fact that telegraphic communication was

impossible no instructions were received

from Perth.

The Sultan returned on the 13th

bringing the body of one of the crew of

the "Kalander Bux", who died on board

through exposure, and the body of W.

Lumsen, which had been found in his

lugger Eva, which was dismasted and in

a pitiful plight near the Alto wreck.

On Wednesday rumours were current

that several boats which had met with

disaster were making for Barred Creek.

Corporal Stewart at once despatched

a mounted constable to render any 

assistance necessary. Mr. Nishcojra 

also took the commendable action of 

sending out two men with the same 

object. On reaching the creek 16 luggers 

were found snugly at anchor, with nothing 

to report. The majority have since arrived in

Broome.

In a conversation with Mr. Davis he

said.that it had been reported from La

Grange that the Kalander Bux was

ashore at Zumfeld Station. He telegraphed 

to the postmaster at La Grange

to engage men to patrol the coast and

render necessary assistance. "From

Broome," he said, "we sent two schooners

and four luggers for relief and to assist

anyone in distress. As far as we know

our firm has two luggers ashore, probably 

total wrecks and up to now only one man 

is reported drowned. About a dozen luggers 

have arrived, all having lost one or both masts, 

but there are six or eight still to be accounted for,

as well as the schooner Muriel. It is probable 

that the Kalander Bux will be

a total wreck, and I fear loss of life

also."

Mr. Norman (Messrs. Robinson and Norman), 

the majority of whose fleet, have

been in for some time, said that so far

no casualties had occurred with any of

their boats. The Ena was all right.

having merely slipped her anchor and

gone into Billaret. The damage done was

slight.

Messrs. Streeter and Co. were also fortunate 

in having most of their boats laid up, and 

little damage was done to those which had 

arrived. The Nellie fleet is safe in the creek 

at Broome.

The following telegram was received at

10.42 o'clock on Saturday morning, the

12th inst.:-"Noonan just arrived here.

Says Alto wrecked south of Kalander

Bux. Gregory buried his mate on 10th

inst. He further says schooner had no

chance. Seas were coming right over

masts. Two your master's luggers

passed Mangrove Point yesterday going

Broome." The reading not being quite

clear. Mr. Davis asked for a confirmatory

telegram, and received the following

from La Grange on Saturday at 2 p.m.:

"Showed Noonan yours. He now gives

me this information: Bux wrecked about

45 miles south from here. Alto wrecked

six miles further on.- Zumfeld sent

man along beach to Wallal, report if

there any wreckage south of Alto. 

Three of Zumfeld's men met Noonan 

and told him that captain of Alto had 

walked to Gregory's boat;- Both captains 

considered their boats hopelessly wrecked.

As far as Noonan knows, Gregory and

rest of crew safe, but Gregory very

depressed over loss. Noonan says special

messenger should reach Gregory to-

night, so we may get, fuller information

in morning. Noonan leaving early 

morning and will take and deliver any 

message, .

The following telegram was received

by Mr: Rubins, of Broome, from Mr.

Gregory, the captain of the Kalander

Bux:- La Grange, December 13.--Bux

total wreck. Smashed mizzen. Tillen

and four crew missing; Young dead.- 

Luggers Congdon, Struggler,, Gracie 

ashore south of Mangroves. Many 

boats unaccounted for. Alto wrecked, 

but undamaged. Survivors of Bux and 

Alto about six miles apart in various 

stages of collapse and cut about. 

Beach covered with wreckage. Three 

bodies recovered to-day: Zumfeld and 

police and extra men patrolling coast 

both ways."

Later another wire was received from

the postmaster at La Grange as follows:

--"Spoke special messenger this morning 

near Noonan's. Gregory had left overland 

for Bossut, and should reach there to-night. 

Bux total wreck; gone to pieces. Young, the 

mate, was drowned, and buried by Gregory. 

From information messenger: has gleaned 

Alto so far undamaged. One of crew of lugger 

Tasmania, who had been in water three days 

since Tuesday, landed on beach yesterday 

near Mangrove Point. He is much cut about

and says Tasmania sunk and five of crew 

drowned. Several masts and spars. lying along 

beach; and one dingey named Cosyais on 

beach near Mangrove. Nine of Alto's crew saved.

Endeavouring. to get messenger ride to

Bossut with note from Gregory. Special

messenger endeavours reach Alto wreck

to-night and speak to-morrow morning

at 6. Beach very heavy; travelling difficult. 

Man unable say if valuables saved."

It is now definitely known that the

following lives have been lost:

C. J. Miller, clerk, formerly of this

Railway Department, Perth.

W. H. Young, mate, whose body 

was recovered and buried on the 

10th. S. A. Tillen, carpenter  formerly 

a diver, and who was slightly paralysed.

Nine Asiatics. They belonged to the

Kalander Bux which is now a total

wreck.' :

The Alto, belonging to Messrs. Newman; 

Goldstein, and Co., is high and dry on the 

beach and should the weather not

become boisterous in the meantime may

be floated off in March. The majority of the 

latter firm's luggers are now accounted for,

but there are four still missing carrying in 

all 23 hands. There is little hope of these 

being found alive as a lot of wreckage is 

washed ashore at the 90-mile Beach.

''Mr. Johnstone's Pet is lost, with three 

Japanese: ,.

The following is a list of the missing

luggers :-Lily, Leori ; Alfred, and 

Tasmania (schooner Alto); Langdon,

Gracie, Louisa, Struggler, Ray (schooner 

Kalandar Bux ); The Vivian;, belonging to

Mr. M'Cornmack is missing, and the

Batguara, Don, and Sutherland are also

missing.

So far 20 lives are known to have been

lost, and 26 men are missing. The lost

vessels are the Kalander Bux schoone,

the Alto, schooner; and 12 or 14 luggers

missing. This blow was more severe

than the last, but fortunately the 

majority of the boats were laid up 

in the creek at Broome.

THE STORM AT CONDON.

SEVERAL DERELICT LUGGERS.

Condon, December 15.

• A severe storm took place here on the

7th, 8th, and 9th inst., the glass falling

slowly on the 7th.. The wind increased to

a hurricane, blowing.from east to south

west from about 5 p.m. on the 8th. until

3 a.m. on the 9th. The lowest glass was

29,30.

Several pearling boats had been sighted 

off here before the blow came on. Some 

luggers belonging to Messrs. Banger and 

McDaniell's ran into Condon Creek on the 

9th; and to all outward appearances they 

looked like derelict. All, had one mast blown 

away, and one lugger in tow had lost both 

masts. The schooner Merlin, with Messrs. 

Banger and McDaniells and Captain Irvine,

aboard, came into the creek on the 9th.

with four more luggers. The schooner

had a miraculous escape, having lost

both anchors and had blown before the

wind for 10 hours. Out of 11 luggers

belonging to them only one is missing,

the Seagull. It is feared that she is

lost. The schooner Minnie was sighted

off here before the blow. She was trying 

to reach the creek. The wind being too strong,

she was then headed north, and has not been 

heard of since. A lugger arrived this evening 

from a visit to Turtle and Bedout Islands. No 

trace of any wreckage could be found.

PORT HEDLAND' NEWS.

A SCHOONER MISSING.

Port Hedland, December 15.

The pearling disaster reported from

Wallal is causing considerable anxiety

here. The schooner Minnie, well known

in Port Hedland, in charge of her owner

(Mr. Harry O'Grady), who had with him

two other white men and a coloured

cook, left here for Broome, via Condon,

Wallal, and La Grange Bay, on the 3rd

inst., and was off Condon the following

Monday. This was the day before the

hurricane came, since when no tidings

of her have been received.

The fleets of the Westward Pearling

Company and Mr. McDaniell, working in

company off Condon, had a bad time.

Three of Mr. McDaniell's luggers had

to cut away the mizzen-mast, one of the

Westward Company's luggers lost both

masts, while two others lost all their

ground tackle. The lugger Seagull, 

belonging to the Westward Company, is

still missing, and notwithstanding diligent 

search around Turtle and Bedout Islands 

no trace of her has been found.

It is feared that she has foundered.

Port Hedland was apparently on the

edge of the disturbance. The morning of

Tuesday, the 8th inst., saw the sky over

cast with heavy clouds.. There was a

strong wind from the south-east, which

by 8 o'clock was from east, and at 11

o'clock from the north-east.. It was then

almost impossible for pedestrians to

make headway against it. At 6 p.m.

the wind had gone back to the east and

lulled somewhat. The lowest barometrical 

record was 29.28 deg. at 5 p.m. on the 8th. 

This, curiously enough, is identical with the 

point reached by the barometer at the 

Port Hedland Post Office during the 

Wallal blow last April.

No damage was done at Port Hedland.

The rainfall locally was 12 points, but

the surrounding stations report much

heavier falls. At Strelly Station 24 in.

fell, at Ettrick 430 points, at Warralong

260 points, Carlindie 150 points.

courtesy Google Earth

courtesy Trove.

BULLARRA

Bullarra, built in 1890 by Gourlay Bros. Dundee: 

1725 gross tons; 1087 net tons; length 260 ft. 2 in.; beam 37 ft. 2 in.; draught 16 ft. 5 in..  

Triple expansion engine - 11.5 knots.

We know that Bullarra followed Koombana out of Port Hedland 20 minutes to half an hour later, +/- 10.50 a.m.. Bullarra drew a maximum of 16 ft. 5 in. which means that Captain Upjohn could depart Hedland (bar depth 19 ft.) with his tanks full. He did not need to fill his tanks out at sea, as did Koombana.

We know that at midday, the two steamers were stern on to each other, five miles apart, Bullarra tracking 'southwestward' and Koombana with her bow into the gale-force wind from NE. The wind force had deteriorated within an hour from fresh breeze to gale-force

Bullarra traversed a total of 7 miles to arrive at this position. Even if we use a very conservative average of 10 knots, with the gale-force wind behind her, Bullarra should have been 'double' the distance from Koombana by midday. 

Had Captain Upjohn of the Bullarra decided to 'hang around' to make sure that there were no complications?? Koombana with her ugly list to port, rolling heavily and pitching in the rough sea, attempting the dangerous task of filling her ballast tanks at sea, and with no prospects of safely re-entering Port Hedland if it all went pear shaped.

courtesy Google Earth

SS Bullarra (courtesy History Trust of South Australia)

SS Bullarra (courtesy State Library of Western Australia)

https://www.flotilla-australia.com/adsteam.htm

PORT HEDLAND 'OPINION'.

The Mercury, Hobart, 6 April, 1912

LOSS OF THE KOOMBANA.

PROBABLY STRUCK A REEF

AND SANK.

CAPTAIN DISINCLINED TO LEAVE

SHELTER.

"WILL BE LUCKY IF I GET

BACK."

PERTH (W.A)., April 4.

There is little to add in connection

with the loss of the Adelaide Steamship

Company's steamer Koombana.

Judging from the direction of the

wind during the gale, the opinion held

at Port Hedland is that the ill fated

vessel went down in the vicinity of

Bedout Island. It is thought that

probably the absence of a light on the

island caused the captain to misjudge

his position, and the steamer to strike

a reef in the vicinity, which runs a

long way out from the island, in which

case, in such weather, the vessel would

have immediately turned over, and

sunk. No person could have lived in

such a sea for five minutes, and the

vicinity is noted for the existence of

myriads of sharks.

Captain Allen, scorned disinclined to

leave Port Hedland, and when, he 

decided to do so said, "I am going

straight out to sea, and will be lucky

if I get back to Broome on Saturday."

The Koombana left port at half-past

10 o'clock on March 20, with her 

propeller beating out of water. When

passing the entrance of the harbour

she rolled deeply. Captain Allen stated

that he would fill the ballast tanks

when he crossed the outer bank. The

ship headed due north, and was 

followed about an hour afterwards by the

Bullarra, going south.

Captain Mills, of the steamer Minderoo, 

is inclined to the belief that the

ship was lost in the vicinity of Bedout

Island.

courtesy Trove.

NOT LIKELY TO BE SOUTH OF PORT HEDLAND

The Advertiser, Adelaide, 30 March, 1912

THE KOOMBANA.

SEARCHES THAT FAILED.

Fremantle. March 29.

News is still awaited from vessels in

search of the Koombana. The Adelaide

Steamship Company received a telegram

from the branch manager at Port Hedland 

that the examination of Bedout Island and 

Amphinome Shoals had been resultless, 

and the search along the coast by luggers 

also has been unsuccessful. The Bullarra 

arrived at Broome at 4 p.m., and signalled-

"No news of the Koombana."

The steamer Una, chartered by the

Government, will leave Geraldton

to-night on a four weeks' search.

She will take sufficient coal and food to

enable her to remain at sea if necessary for

two months.

FEDERAL TRAWLER TO SEARCH.

Melbourne, March 29.

The Federal Government have decided to

dispatch the trawler Endeavor in search

of the Koombana, should the Western

Australian Government desire it. The

trawler is now engaged in the Bight, but

her whereabouts are fairly accurately

known, and sending her to the assistance

of the search parties will be, it is officially 

stated, an easy matter. To-day communications 

passed between the Federal and Western 

Australian Governments, the former having 

decided to offer assistance, in response to 

a suggestion from Mr. G. Piggott, who fears 

that relatives of his were passengers on the 

vessel. Mr. Piggott was supported by Mr. W. H. 

Irvine, M.H.R. The Prime Minister informed

the Premier of Western Australia (Mr.

Scaddan) that the Federal Government

were prepared to bear portion of the expense 

of searching by sea or land for the vessel, 

and of succoring survivors if in distress. 

Mr. Scaddan replied with the following 

account of what the State Government were doing:-

"Thank for your telegram, Koombana. The Government

have done everything possible to ascertain

whether the steamer has met with mishap.

At present the captains of the Gorgon

and Minderoo have been instructed to

keep a sharp lookout for her, whilst the

Bullara has been dispatched from Port

Hedland to make special search. 

Arrangements have also been made for 

luggers to search near the coast between 

Broome and Port Hedland. I was negotiating 

for using the steamer Moira from Wyndham,

but she sailed at 10.30 a.m. to-day, and

the agents have instructed her captain to

keep a lookout on the southward journey.

Captain Irvine, chief harbormaster, has

been in conference with representatives of

the steamship companies at Fremantle, and

having charts available, is arranging a

course as deemed most advisable. 

Regarding your enquiry as to the search being

made south of Port Hedland, Captain Irvine 

points out that the Bullara passed near the 

coast from Cossack to Port Hedland, also 

that a number of luggers are out. He does 

not think there is any probability of a 

successful search being made south of that 

port. The police also have sent men along 

the coastline. Everything possible is being 

done, but the extent of water requiring 

examination covers a large area. Should 

we be unable to find the vessel, could your 

Government arrange for a gunboat or vessel 

such as the Protector to proceed north-west, 

with the object of assisting in the search?"

The Protector is in Port Phillip Bay,

and as time would be lost in sending her

to Western Australia, the trawler has

been selected.

Very interesting comment made by Captain Irvine that a search south of Port Hedland was unlikely to yield results. One would have thought that he would be pushing for the loss of the Koombana well within the hurricane-force core of the cyclone, possibly being driven to the west as had happened to the Moira. Furthermore, the date 29 March was before all the major wreckage discoveries. I have the distinct impression that he knew more than he ever let on!!

Barrier Miner, 3 April, 1912.

BEDOUT ISLAND.

Bedout Island, where the wreckage

was found, is almost on the direct

route of steamers travelling between

Port Hedland and Broome, being a

few miles to the west of the regular

"track." Vessels steer wide of the

presence of "foul ground" there. The

Amphinome Shoals lie between 

Bedout Island and the Mainland. The 

fact that the wreckage was not discovered

earlier might have been on account of

the steamer having foundered in deep

water, and did not break up sufficiently

to release much wreckage until the

last few days.

Entirely in keeping with my theory that Koombana will be found in the vicinity of the 27.5 mile mark, within the steamer track between Hedland and Broome.

For Koombana to have foundered in the region of the 'foul ground' would have been a feat of extraordinary seamanship to avoid the plethora of shallow shoals - running aground!!!

courtesy Google Earth

courtesy Trove.