[Extracts, Court of Marine Inquiry, loss of s.s. "Koombana", Harbour & Lights Department, Western Australia, 25 April - 6 May, 1912. WA Museum (on loan), Letter, W. Gardiner, A.S.S. Coy agent in Port Hedland, to W.E. Moxon, A.S.S. Coy Manager for W.A., Fremantle, Monday 15 April 1912]
"Appendix "H".
From
THE ADELAIDE STEAMSHIP COMPANY Ltd.
Port Hedland.
15th April 1912.
To W.E. MOXON ESQ.,
Manager for W.A.
FREMANTLE.
Dear Sir/
"KOOMBANA"
I confirm my wire regarding wreckage picked up
by the "Gorgon", "Minderoo", also by the "Una".
...
Regarding the statement of the Captain of the "Una"
that he considered that he was over the position of the
steamer, I do not think there is much in it, unless he
knew more than he stated here. According to his
statement, after picking up some boards around them in
a dead calm, they went to dinner. After dinner they
discovered more wreckage around them and believed that
it must have come from below. In the interval, however,
the ship would probably move by current at a different
rate to flotsam. Besides, objects would come in and out
of view at different angles of light. However, they do not
appear to have stayed on this spot any length of time
to test their theory.
Yours faithfully,
THE ADELAIDE STEAMSHIP CO. LTD.
Sd. F.W.Gardiner,
Acting Branch Manager.
