SS GULF OF MEXICO
Brisbane
25 October 1891
My dear Chris,
We are a few days late in arriving here as we have been in previous ports owing to bad weather etc on the way out. At the same time it has been a very pleasant trip made so briefly by our passengers. There were eleven Saloon and 46 Steerage.
I heard from home that business was brisk with you, so hardly expected to see either of you down.
If I do come again I will let you have due notice. Our coming here this time is rather a surprise to us all as we have only 300 tons for the port and nothing to take down. So the chances are Sydney will be the final port in future. We return there tomorrow and land home with wool for the January sales.
I cannot say I am altogether enchanted with this life, but at the same time prefer it to the old sailing days. The times are good and there’s not such a rush as one would expect in this class of boat. The great drawback is the short stay at home.
There is not much doubt but what I shall get my promotion to Chief in a few months. At present they appear to be weeding out the officers, which ought to help bring the firm to the front.
If I can come across the sort of cigars you mention, I will forward some to you. Had I known sooner I could have got them at Santa Cruz where they are very cheap.
I came across Capt Walker in Sydney. He has charge of a weigh bridge on Circular Quay. Rather a come down for him. Pixley came and dined with me tonight and we had a long yarn. He tells me that business is awfully bad here. In fact there’s nothing doing so you are better off than he is. I have promised to lunch with him tomorrow.
I will write Alex from Sydney. You might write me a few lines home to get there the end of January. Tell me how things are going on.
Your affectionate Brother
A G