["Marconi Wireless on the Koombana", The West Australian, Friday 08 September 1911, page 6]
MARCONI WIRELESS ON THE KOOMBANA.
During her stay in Sydney the Adelaide Steam ship Company's R.M.S. Koombana was equipped with the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy. The installation is similar to that used on the Karoola and Grantala, and which is about to be installed on 11 ships belonging to the Union Steamship Company. The Marconi system is at present in use on no fewer than 560 merchant ships in all parts of the world. The Koombana's wireless room is situated amidships on the boat deck, and contains the complete installation, together with a set of emergency apparatus. This latter is installed in order that communication may be obtained at all times, independent of the ship's electric supply. Should the ship's dynamos be put out of commission at any time the simple changing of a switch in the operating room brings the emergency apparatus into action, and communication is maintained as before. The value of such an arrangement cannot be overestimated, and its reliability in cases of emergency has been proved beyond doubt in such notorious accidents as the sinking of the ss. Republic and s.s. Slavonia a short while ago. In both of these cases the ship's engine room was flooded, but assistance was called by the use of a Marconi emergency apparatus such as is installed on the Koombana. During her voyage from Sydney to Fremantle the Koombana established communication with the following ships, all of which use Marconi apparatus:--Ascanius, Suevic, Osterley, Themistocles, Mongolia, Karoola, Tainui, Persic, and Orontes.
