["Loss of the Koombana", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 13 April 1912, page 2]
GLOOM IN COASTAL TOWNS.
From the Gorgon passengers we learnt that there is much gloom in Port Hedland and Broome over the disaster, most of the passengers being well known in both towns. In the former port, it is said that practically the whole town assembled to see the fated vessel off, little dreaming that they were the last to see the Koombana leave port, and that within a few hours she would be lying broken deep in the bed of the ocean--a gruesome coffin. It is noteworthy that the editor of the "Hedland Advocate," in writing an account of the storm at Port Hedland, speaks of the rough water in the harbour being indicative of heavier and "deadlier surges" out at sea. When that was written the Koombana was not known to be missing.
