THE TURNING POINT.

The following transcribed:

"Chief Harbormaster File      ? 8 April, 1912
Gorgon reports picking up panelled door twenty five miles north by west Bedout, painted white one side, polished other, silver fittings marked Cross flags Walker and Hall, finger plates each side, ornaments with Grecian urn with hanging wreath each side, door apparently forced by pressure, handle white side gone and reverse side drawn in, builders joiners written with Hard pencil first class Entrance four two nine J D lock marked N F Ramsey Company Newcastle on Tyne, several small leather Heads attached about Half Inch Long, steamer passed several small pieces Timber, one a painting stage, unusual number of birds about, Gordon acting wharfinger
8 pm"

This now well known discovery did indeed come from Koombana - Chief Steward's cabin door. Up until this point there had been hope of a Koombana adrift. At this turning point the message was clear, the flagship had gone to a watery grave and too many birds in the location invariably signaled the presence of floating bodies - sighted or otherwise.

Note again (see image below) how the telegram location of the discovery differs significantly from the official site.

My feeling is that distances quoted in these early telegrams were not accurate and it came down to coordinates quoted in respective steamer logs.

courtesy State Office Records, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy State Office Records, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy Google Earth

UNA vs. PENGUIN.

The following extract illustrates the cost factor in organizing searches for Koombana; which was anticipated to occupy five - six weeks:

"As to the "Penguin", the daily consumption of this vessel is rather high to permit of her carrying out an extensive search, which I fear may now be necessary, but in lieu of her I recommend that the small cargo steamer "Una", now under charter to the Government and expected to arrive at Geraldton tomorrow, be re-engaged to proceed to the North-West coast and to conduct a systematic search of the waters lying between Montebello Islands and the Rowley Shoals. The consumption of this vessel is about half that of the "Penguin" and if it could be arranged the "Una" to be coaled by the Railway Department at Geraldton (150 tons) she could be despatched on Saturday next on a search extending over five or six weeks." 

The 5 - 6 week time frame suggests that the authorities were anticipating a difficult search covering a vast expanse of ocean. 

Anything was possible.....

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

The Una mission got off to a rocky start:

"The Chief Harbour Master
Fremantle

Sir,

Confirming my wire of this morning I beg to state that the SS "Una" got away at 3 a.m. today.
I regret the delay, but it was due to the coaling taking longer than expected and then at 1 a.m., when she was all ready for departure, a mishap occurred in the engine room necessitating the blowing off of steam to affect repairs.
She took in 125 tons of coal, having 25 tons old stock on board - and 2460 gallons of water.
The 125 tons of coal filled her hold.
She was unable to take any in her bunkers owing to part of the old stock which was there being heated.

Mr. Miller
Pilot
Geraldton                 March 30th/12

An interesting period observation about not being able to mix fresh coal with existing 'heated' coal. Fears of fire or explosion??

courtesy State records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.

The Following document is transcribed as far as possible:

"THE ACTING UNDER SECRETARY (contd.)

the subject this morning and attach herewith his offer. The price asked is ￡10 per day, Government to find coal and water. This, I think, should be reduced to ￡9.

However, I should be glad if you would at once place this before the Hon. the Premier and advise me what action it to be taken.

In order to save time I am forwarding this file by special messenger and on receipt of instructions by telephone will take the necessary action to carry out these proposals.

Chief Harbor Master."    28 march, 1912.

Chief Harbor Master was Captain Irvine who added the following interesting thought:

"I to P.

Arrange with ship to coal "Una" at Geraldton. It is strange how the shipping Co's fix rates even when in the interests of shipping itself - human life not counted.

J.I.     (J Irvine).

Indeed!!

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

GORGON REVELATION ?

The following undated document gives a detailed account of the movements of the SS Gorgon and discoveries made. 

Transcribed as follows:

"Telegram received from 

Captain Mills, S.S. "Gorgon."

Searched within following positions by running parallel lines 30 miles apart lat. 20.15 long 116. Lat 18.40 long. 116. Lat 18.40 long 117.40. Lat. 20. long. 118. from last position bearing East 10 miles, then  north 30 miles then East 15 picked up smoking room settee cushion and part of cabin door; In lat 19.36, long 117.53 and in lat. 19.32 Long 118.10 picked up bottom board of boat, small teak panel. Abandoned further search sunset Tuesday as considered ship is lost in vicinity of Bedout Island."

How is it possible that the above can differ so wildly from the following?

"Tuesday 02 April 1912 10:15 Gorgon. A stateroom door, white one side, polished the other,
still attached to broken stile S 19º 10' E 119º 06' 25 miles north of Bedout

Tuesday 02 April 1912 10:45 Gorgon. Several small pieces of board,
one apparently part of a painting stage. S 19º 10' E 119º 06' 25 miles north of Bedout"

(Ref. Annie Boyd)

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

2 'cushion' sites separated by 32.5 miles

The answer is quite simple.

Captain Mills was the master of SS Minderoo, not SS Gorgon.

However, it is interesting that the 2 positions plotted / given for the smoking room settee cushion were 32.5 miles apart, which gives us pause to reflect on coordinates presented as fact in publications.

Nitpicking aside, the pattern of wreckage distribution is still compelling in the context of Captain Upjohn's oil patch being the wreck site and the prevailing westward trending current.






courtesy Google Earth.

REALITY.

The following document refers to the coaling of Bullarra for her return voyage to Fremantle. The date is 3rd April, 1912, and due to the significance of wreckage discoveries the search was to be called off. There was no further hope of finding Koombana adrift or aground.

What is particularly interesting to note is that there were no plans for Bullarra to return to the site of the 'oil patch' and drag the vicinity with a 'wire' to snag and confirm the position of the wreck. 

Koombana was gone and a mystery 'created'.

courtesy State Office Records, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

BIZARRE.

The following telegram throws a spanner in the works. Transcribed as follows:

"Port Hedland, 5 April, 1912.

Irvine Harbormaster file

Arrived last night , searched from Broome to Rowley Shoals & into Hedland, saw nothing, spoke Moira 31st who reports nothing, spoke Bullarra 3rd who reports picked up quantity of wreckage about sixty miles E.N.E. Bedout. Portion of boat bow with Adelaide 'Company's' Badge, Bottom Board, tanks, lifebelt, and portion of saloon panels. Lighter Una cruising off Bedout. I am leaving Hedland today for Broome, will endeavor to fix Bedout light.

Dalziel."

This is a unique account of wreckage being discovered so far to the 'east' of Bedout Island (see image below). If it were to be true the location of the wreck shifts considerably to the E.N.E. The description of what was found is interesting and the word 'lifebelt' did not appear in the mainstream catalogue of wreckage; which was strange considering that these items were generally found in association with shipwrecks, for obvious, buoyancy reasons.

My feeling is that in the turmoil of searches and telegrams being sent, Dalziel got the details of where the wreckage had been found, wrong. The reason for this is that the Bullarra log gave coordinates for the two predominant sets of wreckage discovery. The coordinates in the above case represented a position 20 miles north of Bedout Island, not 60 miles ENE, a vast difference. The second set of coordinates and the potential site of the wreck represent a position some 30 miles to the northeast of Bedout Island. If the account is accurate it implies a massive cover up conspiracy, which seems a bit far fetched.

Once again it all comes down to where the wreck is ultimately found to validate whichever account.

Very intriguing though....      

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

courtesy Google Earth

BULLARRA DEPLOYMENT.

This letter to the Secretary to the Premier, gives us an insight into the tone used by the Adelaide Steamship Company.

Transcribed as follows:

"Dear Sir,

Re: "Koombana"

We have yours of the 1st. The "Bullarra" was despatched from Broome on Monday last pursuant to the arrangement already made with the Chief Harbor Master and the Premier's Secretary that all resultant and incidental expenses should be shared by the State and Federal Governments and this Company equally. Southward freight on the cattle by the "Gorgon", coal supplies, and claims by the consignees and/or owners of stock (if any) will therefore be the subject of contribution and were indeed expressly provided for; and of course there will be wharfage dues and other port charges and perhaps further expenditure in addition, as well as the items mentioned in your letter.

Yours Faithfully,

Manager for W.A.

There is very little reference to sentiment or the glaring fact that Koombana was their property and responsibility. In fact there is the absence of the words "thank you"

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

The generous offer that generated the above response:

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066

But there is a subtle twist to this story. The following adopts an entirely different tone:

"Captain Irvine       30-2-12

I have to thank you on behalf of the Adelaide Company for the very keen and unremitting interest that you have taken, and are taking, in this most unfortunate occurrence.

Yours Faithfully,

Moxon

Manager for W.A."

Captain Irvine was to play a central role in the inevitable Inquiry and as we have seen in a past post https://koombanarevisited.blogspot.com/2019/10/moxon.html  he appeared to be assisting the manager - leading the witness if you will - in favour of Captain Allen holding all the responsibility cards in the demise of Koombana in 'cyclonic' conditions. 

Am I wrong or was Moxon 'buttering up' Irvine in preparation for the whitewash Marine Court of Inquiry that was to come and go, leaving a bad taste in the collective mouth of the Nor'West ??

courtesy State Records Office, Western Australia, series 2357, cons 066