Frederick Breese
The Commonwealth of Australia has recently been celebrating the 150th anniversary of its foundation.
Nothing is more remarkable than the improvement in communications between Australia and the mother country. In these days, when we may reach Australia by 20,000-ton liner in 34 days, and will before very long be able to reach it by flying boat within a week, it is interesting to reflect that there are many people still who have memories of a very different mode of travel.
Frederick Breese was fifteen years old in 1882, when he took ship for Sydney in the sailing barque Gladstone at London docks. The passage lasted 99 days. Tonight he will recall the incidents of the voyage, and will throw some interesting light on the hardships suffered by passengers.