["Not Sighted", The West Australian, Thursday 28 March 1912, page 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23868319]

NOT SIGHTED.

THE KOOMBANA'S FATE.

AN ANXIOUS DAY.

PORT HEDLAND SAFE.

THE BALLA BALLA BLOW.

FORTY DEATHS REPORTED.

RESTORING THE WIRES.

The Koombana is now a full week overdue on her journey from Port Hedland to Broome. Notwithstanding the active search from every point along the coast, no cheering message came through yesterday to allay the general anxiety. Rumours there were in plenty, both of sad portent and otherwise, but the result of the day's search revealed nothing to justify the turning of fear into thankfulness or hope into sorrow. Her whereabouts is a problem which can only be solved by the skippers of the boats which have been directed to steer out to the shoals and examine every inch of sea where there is even the most shadowy hope of finding the missing steamer. With a crew of 80 odd and an original passenger list of 47, there is a wealth of human life at stake which the Government and shipping companies are leaving no stone unturned to succour.

In shipping circles yesterday belief was still unbounded in regard to her being above the waves. That optimism, however, was clearly not shared by all. Among the many relatives and friends of those on board the suspense of the last seven days has produced an undeniable foreboding, and even the "man in the street" lost a little of his confidence regarding her safety. A finer skipper than Capt. Allen could not be wished for in command, but the most unerring judgment cannot always prevail against the elements. The wires have been tapping away incessantly during the last week, the circle of her possible whereabouts has been freighted with her code in wireless, "M.Z.P.," but still no word has come in reply. The fact that no ship has been able to pick her up may be discounted to an extent on account of the tempest probably having wrecked the Koombana's own means of wireless connection. The last seen of her was on March 20 at 1 p.m., when she was sighted by the Bullarra two hours out of Port Hedland, steering north-east, the gale then blowing from E.N.E. There are those who believe that she rode through the storm and was carried far out to sea, a breakdown of machinery having delayed her appearance in port. As shown in the information given below those in the best position to judge, and who are armed with the necessary knowledge, are unshaken in their allegiance to the belief that all is well. The public sincerely re-echoes the hope that it may be so. It is expected that within the next 24 or 48 hours some one or other of the luggers which have been out since the beginning of the week, or the steamers which are shaping their course in tracks where the missing steamer would probably go, will be able to communicate the news which the public is now awaiting. The reassuring information was wired to the Deputy Postmaster-General from Port Hedland yesterday that although the blow was severely felt there no damage has been done and no lives were lost. Advices from Port Hedland are still coming to Perth via Banjowangie and Adelaide, but it is hoped that the work of linking up the wires from Balla Balla to Port Hedland will be accomplished within a short time. The trouble is on the stretch between the Yule and Turner rivers. Up to Balla Balla communication, although interrupted, is well established. At the Turner River it is feared that a serious breakdown has occurred owing to the abnormal floods. The postmaster at Roebourne spoke to the line repairing party, which is working up from the south, at 9 o'clock yesterday morning. They reported that progress was necessarily slow, as the country is too boggy for horses, and they have been compelled to travel on foot most of the way. The Port Hedland postmaster reported at about noon that he had a party out working towards the south, but he could give no idea when it would be possible to restore communication. It depended on the rivers and the extent of the damage. He believed the lines were badly damaged at the Turner. Later this official advised that it would be impossible to restore the line on that day or even to-day. The men were doing their utmost, but were hampered by the flooded rivers. The postmaster at Port Hedland was advised to cable at once immediately anything was known of the Koombana, and to send a closing report in any case before leaving for the night. In reply the following message was received late last evening: No news of the Koombana. Luggers patrolling the coast. These messages also covered the information already given in our columns concerning the blow at Balla Balla. That town, it was stated, received the full force of the storm. They added that in all about 40 lives were lost in that vicinity. Mr. T. Carter (of Dalgety and Co.) states that although the absence of news concerning the Koombana is undoubtedly most disquieting, at the same time, nautical men think there is a possibility of the steamer being driven by the storm, and in difficulty at the Rowley shoals, which are at a point about 150 miles east of Cape Baskerville, or, in the contrary direction, at the Monte Bello group. The commander of the s.s. Gorgon at Java has been asked to deviate from his usual course and pass close to the Rowley shoals, while Captain Mills, of the s.s. Minderoo, will keep a keen look-out while passing the Monte Bello islands on his way from Onslow to Cossack, at which port further instructions will be forwarded to him. The Consul for Norway has received an other telegram from the captain of the Concordia, which went ashore on Depuch Island, to the effect that the vessel's plates had been strained and the rudder buckled.

AB notes:

Koombana's wireless identification given as 'MZP'.

The break in the telegraph line is reported to be between the Yule and Turner Rivers, with the country "too boggy for horses".