["The S.S. Koombana", Geraldton Guardian (WA), Thursday 18 March 1909, page 2]
The S.S. Koombana.
S.S. WINFIELD LEAVES TO ASSIST.
The s.s. Koombana being still aground east of Quoin Bluff, Shark Bay, where she grounded on Monday morning, the Adelaide Steamship Company yesterday decided to despatch the s.s. Winfield to her assistance. The Winfield accordingly left Geraldton at 2.45 a.m. this morning for the scene, and will endeavor to tow the Koombana off the sand bank. She should be alongside the Koombana ready to assist by day-break tomorrow morning. It is not anticipated there will be any difficulty in moving the steamer. The Winfield took a supply of coal and water to replenish the Koombana's supply, and also had on board a mail for the Nor'-West. This will be transferred to the Koombana. It will be remembered that there was a special mail in the train from Perth on Saturday for the Koombana, and that the steamer delayed her departure to await its arrival, but owing to the engine breaking down on the Midland line, she had to leave Geraldton without the mail.
Sharks Bay, March 17.
The steamer Koombana, which ran on to a sandbank twelve 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 being made to get the vessel off, but so far unsuccessfully. The tides are low at present. The stern-post shows 16 ft. of water.
