Gibb, what makes Gordon's "South Australia" enigmatic?

Also, Robinson's article appeared in such an obscure periodical that I wouldn't assume that Hugill had read it. Hugill says he got his own versions of the notorious "Gals o' Chile" and "Saltpeter Shanty" ("Bangidero") from a singer who told him independently that they were generally sung in the nitrate trade.

It's easy to believe that carrying "nitrates" would be conducive to bawdy shantying. Why? Normally there'd be no passengers on nitrate ships: they were cargo vessels, and in this case the cargo stank. Hauling tons of guano around the Horn might also lead to an outspoken attitude among sailors.

What's a "Hash gal" anyway?