[Storm on N.W. Coast - Ships 'Crown of England' and 'Concordia' wrecked, Western Australia Police Department, State Records Office of Western Australia. Cons 430 Item 1912/1727, "Cruise in Police Cutter to Depuch Island...", Police report, Constable C. Cusack, Cossack. Sunday 31 March 1912]
Police Department
Roebourne District, Cossack Station.
31st March, 1912
Report of C. Cusack Const. Reg. No. 493
relative to
Cruise in Police Cutter to Depuch Island & Balla Balla re wrecks of Ships Concordia and Crown of England & also Lighters Steady, Enterprise & Clio.
I beg to report sailing for abovenamed places at 1.15pm on the 23rd inst accompanied by Constable Growden O.I.C. of Whim Creek in whose District the wrecks occurred. We arrived at Depuch Is at 8pm & next morning embarked eleven survivors and left for Bala Bala at 11 15 am 24th. Sailed again at 3pm for further Search in Company with a Smaller boat in charge of a man named Fisher who very readily volunteered to assist. Const Growden accompanied him & at 6 30pm they rescued 3 Japs of wrecked lugger Clara. I returned to Bala Bala & landed them at 11am on 25th and awaited Const Growden who returned at noon on 26th. We were then quite satisfied that neither the Police or Cutter could render any further assistance and I sailed for Cossack at 1 15pm on 27th and having very light winds and calms enroute, did not arrive until 8 30am on 29th inst. A more detailed account of the disaster will be given by Const Growden in whose district the wrecks occurred. The expenditure incurred, Richard Rogers (Pilot) at £1.1.0 per diem. Ah Mat boatman at 12/6 per diem. A dinghey at 5/- per diem (Police dinghey unserviceable), 2 bottles of 3 star Brandy for medicinal purposes at 10/- per bottel on advice of Dr Shelmerdine, who also accompanied us. This was given to survivors when rescued. Please find accounts attached.
[signed] C Cusack Const N493
