Hello All
The SS Koombana was a coastal passenger and cargo steamship which sank at an unknown location north of Port Hedland, Western Australia during a cyclone on 20 March 1912 with the loss of approximately 138 lives, including 20 crew. Other than some floating wreckage, no trace was ever found of the ship, which was presumed sunk along with several other vessels during the same storm. A further 11 people died in other ships and near the cyclone.
As accurate passenger lists were not kept at the time, the exact number of deaths is not known; however, all on board are presumed to have perished. The loss was Australia's worst weather-related maritime disaster in the twentieth century.
The ship was known to be carrying gold and coinage in the ships strongroom. On board the Koombana was a Broome resident and pearl dealer, Abraham de Vahl Davies, who had just purchased a famous black pearl called the Roseate Pearle for ?20,000. Legend had seven of the previous owners die after acquiring the jewel.
Perhaps with the luck this black pearl has brought its luckless owners perhaps it is better to let the ocean reclaim its own?
Hardluck.
Linkback: You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login
http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,17611.msg113398.html#msg113398
There are 1 attachment(s) in this post which you can not view or downloadPlease register for viewing them. SS_Koombana.jpg
|
|
Logged
|
|
