SEVENTY DROWNED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1400, 28 March 1912, Page 5

SEVENTY DROWNED.

BALLA BALLA CYCLONENO TRACE OF STEAMER KOOMBANA. B) Itilerraoh—Presi A«Mclation—Copyright (Reo. March 28, 1 a.m.) Perth, March 27. A messsgo has been received from Port Hedland, dispatched at noon via Broome and Port Darwin. It states that there has been scarcely any damage dono by tho storm at Port Hedland, but it is estimated that thirty-two whites and forty coloured persons were drowned during the cyclone. •Tho Bullarra has returned to Port Hedland, and reports that she was unable to find any trace of the Adelaide Steamship Company's Koombana, which is now seven days out from Port Hedland to Broome, a trip generally occupying twenty-four hours. HOW THE WRECKS OCCURRED. CONCOEDIA UNDAMAGED. By Tolojraph—Press Association—Copyright Perth, March 27. Details of tho Balla Balla disaster telephoned to Eockbourne show that when the ship Crown of England was struck by the cyclone she had two anchors down and her lifeboats in readiness. One cable snapped, and the vessel swung sideways and drifted on to tho rocks at Depuch Island. Seas were sweeping over her and the crew took refuge in the rigging. At daybreak tho captain ordered the crew to try to gain the shore, as the vessel was breaking up. The men took to the surf. Eight were drowned. All tho bodies have been recovered. The captain of ths barque Concordia, seeing that his vessel's anchors wero unablo to hold lier, 6teered on to a sandy beach. The vessel is practically undamaged. The wireless telegraph operators on the mail steamers at Fremantle unsuccessfully endeavoured to get into touch with the Adelaide Steamship Company's missing steamer Koombana. KOOMBANA RUMOURED TO BE ASHORE. (Rec. March 27, 9.20 p.m.) Perth, March 26. The Postal Department is working strenuously to restore telegraphic communication north of Raebourne and Port Headland, on the north-west const, where it is possible the Koombana may bo sheltering. Communication was established for a moment, but the line immediately failed again. A rumour has been circulated that tho steamer is ashore on the Ninety Mile Beach, on the coast between Tort Hedland and. Broome.