["The North-West Cyclone", The West Australian, Thursday 28 March 1912, page 6]
...
The recurring cyclonic disturbances, or "willy willies," to give them their local name, are not the least of the hazards attendant upon existence in the North-West coastal fringe of this State. Between the months of December and April these overwhelming atmospheric blasts may be expected, although their precise track is uncertain and their intensity varies. But marine traders, particularly sailing vessels, run no small risk in the waters of the Nor' West during these five months of the year, and owners and masters may reasonably ask that provision be made to afford safe harbourage on the coast where the onslaught of the "willy willy" may be encountered almost without warning. The recent cyclone came upon the vessels at anchor almost unannounced by the barometer, and the ill-fated Crown of England and the Concordia were unable to ride out the storm at anchor owing to the lack of protection and the absence of mooring buoys at their anchorage. At Carnarvon, Port Hedland, Onslow, and Point Sampson shipping facilities have been gradually improved; but the port of Balla Balla has the lamentable instances of the losses of the Glenbank and Crown of England and the beaching of the Concordia to illustrate the unsatisfactory character of the harbour. Life in the North-West is anything but a bed of roses under normal conditions, but as the residents of the coastal towns are dependent upon sea communication for what comforts they can obtain the provision of facilities and safety for shipping is almost essential to life in the North-West. The disastrous events of last week should immediately direct attention to the harbourage of the North-West ports. The State's tropical and sub-tropical areas cannot be developed unless at any period of the year the vessels necessary to the industry and progress of the districts can carry out their services in reasonable safety.
