["The Stranded Koombana", The West Australian, Thursday 18 March 1909, page 5]
THE STRANDED KOOMBANA.
VESSEL STILL AGROUND.
Sharks Bay, March 17.
The steamer Koombana, which ran on to a sand bank 12 miles north of Sharks Bay, at 7.30 o'clock on Monday morning is still aground. The vessel is in no danger. The impact was not sufficient to wake some of the sleeping passengers. Every effort is apparently being made to get the vessel off, but so far unsuccessfully. The tides are low, and at present the stern post shows 16ft. of water.
ASSISTANCE TO BE SENT.
With regard to the grounding of the new steamer Koombana at Denham's anchorage, Shark's Bay, on the morning Monday last, the following telegram was received yesterday by the Collector of Customs at Fremantle (Mr. Clayton T. Mason) from the Customs Officer at Shark's Bay:--"Steamer Koombana still aground. All efforts to float so far unsuccessful. Lightering plant sent for." The Fremantle manager for the Adelaide Steamship Company (Mr. W. E. Moxon) stated yesterday afternoon that he had also been similarly advised, with regard to the failure of the attempt to float the vessel. "Captain Rees," Mr. Moxon added, "assures me further that the position of the Koombana is not one to occasion any alarm, as she can with a little assistance be moved off into deep water. The steamer Winfield, at present discharging at Geraldton, will probably be despatched to the scene of the trouble some time to-night if the Koombana is still on the bank."
