THE GALE IN WEST AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 231, 28 March 1912, Page 5

THE GALE IN WEST AUSTRALIA

THE BALLA BALLA DISASTER. KOOMBANA STILL MISSING. VESSEL DRIFTS ON THE ROCKS. By Cable—Press Association— Copyrigßt. Perth, March 27. Details of the Balla Balla disaster, telephoned to Roebourne, show that when struck by the cyclone, the frown of England had two anchors down, and the lifeboats in readiness. One cable snapped, making the vessel swing sideways, and she drifted on to the rocks at Depudi Island, with the sea sweeping over her. The crew took refuge in the rigging, and at daybreak the captain ordered the crew to try to gain the shore, as the vessel was breaking up. They took to the surf, and eight were drowned. All the bodies were recovered. The captain of the barque Concordia, seeing that the anchors were unable to hold her, steered to ,a sandy beach, and the vessel is practically undamaged. Mail steamers from Fremantle endeavored unsuccessfully to get into communication with the Koombana by wireless telegraphy. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION INTERRUPTED. Received 27, 9.20 p.m. Perth, March 27. The Postal Department is working strenuously to restore telegraphic communication north of Roebourne. Port Hedland, where it is possible that the Koombana is sheltering, was spoken for a moment, but the line immediately failed again. A rumor is being circulated that the steamer is ashore at Ninety-mile Beach

COMMUNICATION RESTORED. OVER SEVENTY FATALITIES. NO NEWS OF THE KuOMBANA. Received 28, 1.5 a.m. Perth, March 27. A message received from Port Hedland, which was dispatched at noon via Broome and Port Darwin, states that there is scarcely any damage >at Port Hedland, but it is estimated that thirtytwo whites and forty colored persons were drowned in the cyclone. The Bullarra has returned to Port Hedland. She was unable to find any trace of the Koombana, which is now seven days out from Port Hedland to Broome, a trip which generally occupied twenty-four hours.