["The Koombana", The West Australian, Saturday 06 April 1912, page 7]
THE KOOMBANA.
SEARCH BY THE BULLARRA.
DISCOVERY OF MORE WRECKAGE.
BOAT APPARENTLY LOST NEAR BEDOUT ISLAND.
The telegraphic messages which came to hand yesterday supplied further evidence that the steamer Koombana, apparently with all hands, sank somewhere in the vicinity of Bedout Island. On arrival at Cossack yesterday Captain Upjohn, of the steamer Bullarra, telegraphed to Mr. W. E. Moxon (manager at Fremantle of the Adelaide S.S. Company), reporting that he had picked up about 20 miles to the north of Bedout Island one of the Koombana's boats, with the company's crest on it, and a quantity of smaller wreckage. He also reported that he had come across a quantity of oily and greasy water, and had secured some of it which he would bring south for analysis. It is supposed that the oil might have come from the engine-room of the ill-fated steamer, and that it might indicate the locality of the disaster. The Bullarra has been ordered to proceed to Onslow, to meet the s.s. Moonta for coal. Thence she will come direct to Fremantle for repairs. She is due to reach the Port next Friday. Having discontinued her search, the only boat now out looking for traces of the Koombana ie the steamer Una, which was chartered by the Government.
The name of H. Hartel has to be added to the list of steerage passengers by the Koombana for Derby
Captain Ward, of the s.s. Moira, which arrived at Robb's Jetty early yesterday morning from the North-West, reported that he had seen no sign of any wreckage on his way down the coast.
