[www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/cyclone1.htm]
The wreck of the "Koombana", March 1912
As on the Queensland coast, cyclones are a fact of life in summer and early autumn over northwestern Australia. The relatively sparse population has meant that, historically, cyclones in this area have seldom caused the spectacular devastation and loss of life on land experienced along the more heavily populated Queensland coast (cyclone "Vance" in March 1999 devastated the towns of Exmouth and Onslow, but mercifully claimed no lives). Nevertheless, shipping along the northwest coast was constantly at risk, particularly in the early part of this century. The period 1908 through 1912 seems to have been particularly prone to deadly cyclones over northwestern Australia, with six storms claiming at least 20 lives each. By far the worst was that which destroyed the Koombana in March 1912, almost certainly Australia's worst weather-related maritime disaster since Federation.
This cyclone crossed the coast just west of Balla Balla, the port for the copper mines of the Whim Creek district, early on Friday 22 March; damage extended more than 200 kilometres along the coast. A large, iron sailing ship, the Crown of England, was wrecked on Depuch Island; a similar vessel, the Concordia, was driven ashore nearby. Several lighter vessels and pearling luggers were sunk or wrecked. At least 15 people lost their lives.
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