23a[Editorial, The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Tuesday 26 March 1912, page 2]

On Wednesday last the Nor'-West was visited by one of those hurricanes which periodicaUy devastate our coastal towns. On this occasion Broome, which usually is the most seriously dealt with, escaped, though at the beginning of the month, La Grange, Derby and other adjacent towns were visited. Our earnest sympathies go out to the many sufferers in the outposts of our newspaper district, and especially to the relatives of those who have lost their lives.

* *

In August last, when at Depuch Anchorage, Mr. Sleeman, the managing director of Whim Well Copper Mines, informed us that thc Concordia was to arrive in November with 1,OOO tons of anthracite for producing gas for driving thc copper-ore treating plant, and with 950 tons of other cargo, and that she and another vessel would be taking away large shipments of ore. We presume that the inward cargo has been discharged and that the process of loading the ore was nearing completion when the calamity came. Depuch anchorage is one of the most ruggedly picturesque stretches of water it has been our privilege to see. Seven miles away there is a background of beautiful violet-tinted hill peaks, to the right of the anchorage the red island of Depuch, and to the left, a low sandy island with a reef running out toward the anchorage and marked by the wreck of a sailing vessel that one time came in for ore and remained on the reef as a kind of beacon. Approaching Depuch from the open sea, the island resembles a pear half submerged along its length. Its remarkable feature is that practically its whole surface is covered by red rock, broken almost consistently as by a giant stone-breaker. Here and there are spots of yellowish growth to set out more distinctly the prevailing red. On the island the fine barques are lying, and there a number of bodies of sailors have found interment. The loss of Capt. Maguinness has come as a shock to many in this town to whom, as second officer of the Koombana, he was well and favourable known. We recall the fortnight spent on the sandbank at Shark Bay on the Koombana's maiden trip, when that officer frequently came forward at the passengers' request and helped pass the time pleasantly by rendering tastefully executed selections on his mandolin. Mr. Hill, of the Federal Hotel, is spoken of as the typically jolly healthy-looking publican of some 38 summers.

* *

...

23b["No News of the Koombana", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 31 March 1912, page 1]

...

A BALLA BALLA VICTIM

A particularly sad case in connection with the recent Nor'-West tragedy is that of Captain Edward (Eddie) P. Maginnis, who was drowned from the launch at Balla Balla. For some time he was an officer on the ill-fated Yongala, and left her to fill a similar position on the Koombana. While on that ship he met manager Sleeman, of the Whim Well Copper Mines, who offered him a billet as wharfinger at Balla Balla, an excellent appointment with good pay.

So pleased was Captain Maginnis at his prospects that he sent for his mother to the Eastern States, not having seen her for years, she arriving in her new home at Balla Balla but two days before her darling son was drowned. Captain Maginnis, whose picture will appear next week, was an especially lovable man, and his death is deeply mourned by a large circle of friends.

...

23c[Maginnis, Edward Peter (unpublished), Hand-written summary card, Karratha Local History Office]

Maginnis

Maginius, Edward Peter

Roebourne Police Records Acc 363165, pp 91, 92, 94

"Captain Maguinnes - wharfinger...found in the rigging of the Clyo...All were buried on Depuch..." age 36 yrs

b. Newry, Ireland - son of Elklen Daly (nee Rodgers) and Thomas Joseph Maginius

M(1) Jennie Rushton England when he was 25

M(2) Maude Fisher Perth when he was 31

1 dau Mollie Rodgers Maginius (age 2 when he died)

Buried by Hugh McDonald & HR Sleeman Witnes N. Lancet

Informant - Ellie Magwinius Sandgate QLD

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Reg No 4/1912 Index to Register of Deaths