Cirrus@Austlit

'Driven solely by his sense of duty, Hugh Amberbottom embarks upon a voyage as the rostered captain of the week. In pursuit of riches and wealth, he sails through a dust cloud only to emerge into a fabled land and the hands of its hostile tribe. In one day the commander battles all the four seasons and in the classic swashbuckling style reads poetry as a potentially more dangerous storm grows outside before he is forced to explain why his crew should retain their faith when it seems plain that he has brought an incredible curse upon the ship. This witty tale allows us to ascertain not only what makes certain types of Melbourne businessmen go to sea, but also why they are so reluctant to tell their wives the truth simply because rarely do they ever abide by the Friends of Melburnia, Historical Society's idea of a civilised standard.' (Publication summary)