Laying the Pacific Cable between Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand, 16th November 1912. The cable steamer 'SILVERTOWN' is visible at sea while men onshore at Bondi Beach, Sydney work on laying the Pacific Cable. Crowds, includingsurf lifesavers, appear surrounding the ditch and observing the work being carried out.
As the work commenced on 16 November 1912, Pacific Cable Board officials were present overseeing a collection of workmen with shovels, telescopes and signalling flags.
The cable steamer reportedly had 1,400 miles of cable on its end, as it made its way from Bondi to Auckland, New Zealand.