THE KOOMBANA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1, 27 April 1912, Page 5

THE KOOMBANA.

MARINE COURT COMMENCES ITS INQUIRY. SMASHED BY THE CYCLONE. Perth, April 27. The Marine Court has opened the inquiry into the loss of the Koomhana. Captain Upjohn, of the steamer Bullarra, gave evidence that he noticed, when the Koomhana was leaving Port Hedland, that she was in apparently good trim. He remarked upon the fact. The only explanation Jie could offer was that the Koomhana was smashed hy the force of the cyclone. It was impossible for her to turn turtle. IN SPLENDID TRIM. (Received 27, 9.10 a.m.) Perth, April 27. At the Koomhana inquiry the Chief Pilot gave evidence that the Koomhana was in splendid trim and the crew wore efficient. Captain Allen was a careful navigator and took no unnecessary risks. The acting superintendent of tiie Adelaide S.S. Co. gave the Court a demonstration of the Koomhana’s stability and trim. (An indicator with weights equivalent to the cargo the Koomhana was carrying showed that her stability was quite satisfactory. The West Australian manager of the company suggested that better facilities ho granted to enable captains to form weather forecasts.