["Search Party From Broome", Broome Chronicle (WA), Saturday 30 March 1912, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article260024777]
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LONG ABSENCE OF VESSELS.
The long absence of the fine steamer Koombana, with only a 24 hours run from Hedland to Broome, is not one to be wondered at just yet if circumstances are to be taken into account, and other long absent cases are taken into consideration. With the surmise that some minor mishap has occurred to her machinery, or even her rudder, it must of necessity take a considerable time to effect repairs at sea, even though she has every appliance and facility for so doing. It has happened in many other cases, but we can call to mind the case of the steamer Waikato, which was towed into Fremantle some years ago . . .[unclear] . . . after having been posted missing for some two months before word was brought in by a ship's whaleboat that she was disabled and required assistance, the messages travelling over 500 miles before reaching Fremantle.
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