["The Koombana", The West Australian, Friday 26 April 1912, page 8]
THE KOOMBANA.
COURT OF MARINE INOUIRY.
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THE BULLARRA.
Capt. Harry Upjohn master of the s.s. Bullarra, examined by Cr. Parker, said the Bullarra arrived at Port Hedland on the 18th March, and the Koombana on the 19th. Both steamers left on the 20th. About 8 a.m. Capt. Allen went on board the Bullarra, and in the course of a general conversation said, "What do you think of the weather?" He (witness) replied that it would be dirty (by which he referred to the over cast sky), but he didn't know if there would be anything in it. He expected similar weather, or even finer, on the voyage. He had no conversation with Capt. Allen as to the advisability or otherwise of leaving port.
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The Koombana left between 10 and 11 a.m., 20 minutes before the Bullarra. He followed in the wake of the Koombana for half on hour, and had her in sight for about two hours. He noticed how well the Koombana behaved as she went out, and either he or the chief officer, who was on the bridge with him remarked that she appeared in good trim. The propeller was not submerged, and she did not roll at all in crossing the bar. When they parted Koombana was proceeding on her ordinary course to Broome.
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