When WWI was declared in 1914, Broome harboured about 300 pearl
luggers and had a population of more than 3000 workers. Within a
few months the fleet numbers were halved, as men rushed to
enlist in the war effort. With excess stocks and luggers going
to ruin, Broome's economic situation looked bleak. The English
influence and affluence of 'Old Broome' disappeared forever as
many socially prominent families chose not to return after the
war. Broome had also suffered extensive damage from the cyclones
of 1908, 1910 and especially 1912, and much of the town needed
to be rebuilt. In the 1920s Broome once again became a vibrant,
thriving pearling-industry centre with the price of pearl shell
at its highest ever. War returned to Broome on December 8, 1941,
the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. Australia
instantly joined America in declaring war on the Japanese and
almost immediately, all pearling activity ceased in Broome. As
in the first World War, men rushed to join the forces and the
industry's labo