Oskar Speck and Hans
Subject or historical figure
Oskar Speck
(1907 - 1993)
Date1927
Object numberANMS1249[007]
NamePhotograph
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 85 x 103 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from John Ferguson
DescriptionPhotograph of Oscar Speck (left) and his friend Hans seated at a table.
Translation of German text on reverse reads: "Dear Oskar, I find it very difficult to let go of this photograph. But I am aware of how much this photo is dear to you and that is why of course I am happy to give it to you. - Memories come up of our youth. Our dances at [illegible], Ovelgoenne, dancing lessons with [illegible], etc.I think this photo was taken around 1927. Lindloff is still alive, he’s managing director with the Altona Racing Stables, Trotting Arena Behrenfeld. Best regards, your friend Hans, 1964"HistoryOskar Speck (1905 - 1995) was a German adventurer who, in the 1930s, paddled his kayak SUNNSCHIEN (SUNSHINE) from Europe to Australia. He departed from Ulm in Germany on 18 June 1932, paddling down the Danube at the start of a 50,000km voyage to Australia. His voyage of seven years and four months saw him stopping at ports in Germany, Austria, Hungary, former Yugoslavia, former Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran Jaya, Papua New Guinea and Australia (Saibai Island). He arrived on Saibai Island near Papua New Guinea in the Northern Torres Strait on 20 September 1939. Speck arrived with a swastika on the bow of his 5.3 metre German built Folbot kayak a few days after Australia declared war with Germany.
Speck was travelling on a German passport and was promptly arrested as an enemy alien on his arrival on Thursday Island. He would spend the next six years in internment camps in Australia, including Tatura in Victoria where he managed to escape.
SignificanceThis collection documents a significant feat of endurance by Oskar Speck as well what became a World War II internment and migration story.
