Travelling with a folding boat through the high seas had its difficulties
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A Speck in the ocean An unlikely journey by folding boat
Ninety years ago, an intrepid young man left his home in Germany for a dangerous adventure. Seven years and 50,000 kilometres later, he arrived in Australia – right at the start of World War II. Curator of Post-war Immigration Dr Roland Leikauf traces Oskar Speck’s remarkable trip.
01 Oskar Speck and his kayak with its sail set, looking tiny in the waters close to Dili, Portuguese Timor (now Timor-Leste). Australian Maritime Collection ANMS1249[010] 02 The route of Speck’s voyage from Germany to Australia. Image Jo Kaupe
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Signals 139 Winter 2022
