The wreck of the "Koombana", March 1912

As on the Queensland coast, cyclones are a fact of life in summer and early autumn over northwestern Australia. The relatively sparse population has meant that, historically, cyclones in this area have seldom caused the spectacular devastation and loss of life on land experienced along the more heavily populated Queensland coast (cyclone “Vance” in March 1999 devastated the towns of Exmouth and Onslow, but mercifully claimed no lives). Nevertheless, shipping along the northwest coast was constantly at risk, particularly in the early part of this century. The period 1908 through 1912 seems to have been particularly prone to deadly cyclones over northwestern Australia, with six storms claiming at least 20 lives each. By far the worst was that which destroyed the Koombana in March 1912, almost certainly Australia’s worst weather-related maritime disaster since Federation.

This cyclone crossed the coast just west of Balla Balla, the port for the copper mines of the Whim Creek district, early on Friday 22 March; damage extended more than 200 kilometres along the coast. A large, iron sailing ship, the Crown of England, was wrecked on Depuch Island; a similar vessel, the Concordia, was driven ashore nearby. Several lighter vessels and pearling luggers were sunk or wrecked. At least 15 people lost their lives.

Over the next few days, concern grew for the safety of the Koombana, a three-year-old coastal steamer of 3700 tonnes, overdue in Broome after sailing from Port Hedland on the 20th with about 140 people on board. Before departing, the master of the Koombana had noted the low barometer, and had said he expected a slow trip to Broome. In fact the ship sailed straight into the full fury of the cyclone within hours of leaving Port Hedland.

There was widespread confidence that the vessel was capable of riding out the storm, but as the days passed, concern turned to grave anxiety. On 2 April people's worst fears were confirmed when searchers found items of wreckage from the Koombana floating in an area about 100 kilometres offshore. There were no survivors. In total the cyclone claimed well over 150 lives.

Australia's second deadliest cyclone this century was also in the northwest. Some 23 years after the Koombana disaster, the Lacepede Islands near Broome were struck on 26-27 March 1935, with 141 lives lost.