On Tuesday 21 September 1915 the Comboyne, while proceeding up the Camden Haven River, caused a man's body to come to the surface.
The body was recovered by the police, who found that it had been weighted down with an anchor (weighing 1½ cwt 168 pounds (76.20 kg)).
The head had been battered, both jaws being broken, as was the nose.
It was supposed that the man had been murdered.

The man, named Purcell, had lived at Hunter's Hill formerly but had arrived at Laurieton in April, with a companion, to become a fisherman.
Towards the end of August Purcell had disappeared, but no alarm was raised, as it was thought he had gone to a neighbouring town.
The police then arrested his companion.
On Tuesday 21 September 1915 the Comboyne, while proceeding up the Camden Haven River, caused a man's body to come to the surface. The body was recovered by the police, who found that it had been weighted down with an anchor (weighing 1½ cwt 168 pounds (76.20 kg)). The head had been battered, both jaws being broken, as was the nose. It was supposed that the man had been murdered.
The man, named Purcell, had lived at Hunter's Hill formerly but had arrived at Laurieton in April, with a companion, to become a fisherman. Towards the end of August Purcell had disappeared, but no alarm was raised, as it was thought he had gone to a neighbouring town. The police then arrested his companion.
Comboyne (1911)