The Katinka had arrived from Reunion Island in late May, and had loaded a cargo of jarrah timber destined for South Africa from Maurice Coleman Davies’ mill. However three of the crew of fourteen deserted, and only one man having been caught, the master, W. Köhler, was obliged to go overland to Bunbury to find replacements for the two still missing. When he returned to Hamelin Bay he decided to remain ashore that night. Also in the port loading timber were the barques Lövspring and Nor’wester. THE LOSS One of the most severe storms to hit the South-West occurred in July 1900. This storm occasioned much damage and caused the loss of three vessels and the stranding of a fourth in Hamelin Bay. There were two phases to the storm—the first phase with winds from the north-north-west on 22 July, and a second phase when winds swung round to the south-west the following day. The Katinka survived the first phase but was blown from its mooring during the second phase.