[Barker, Malcolm, Background on the S.S. Koombana with Details of Those Lost (unpublished), 1986, copy held by the author]
...
If you are under 50 years of age it will probably come as a surprise to learn that the Captain and Crew of the many coastal steamers that plied the North West coast of Australia were very much part of the extended family of every port where they berthed.
...
The steamers of the early 20th Century presented a cuisine superior to any found on the tables of the hotels of any of the towns they visited. In addition, they had the only electric light and refrigeration at that time.
...
