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Published: March 8th 2012
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Port Arthur Convict Station
Looking at the remains of the old convict station at Port Arthur from the harbour Today was yet again cool and cloudy. In fact it felt very much like our winters so we had all our warm clothes on. How odd that early March can be so cold.
We left for Port Arthur from the camp at 9am and bought Bronze Passes which would give us a walking tour followed by a boat trip on the harbour. The walking tour included a guide who was excellent. He was able to give us an introduction to the complex, tell us about the buildings, the harbour, the transport ships, the prisoners and their crimes, the guards, the conditions, the punishments and the backup facilities like the governor, doctor, accountant, servants etc. After the walk we did a short trip around the harbour to Point Puer where the Boy’s Home had been. Children could be made criminals as young as 7 years old for a number of misdemeanours. In general, it must be said that people were not transported to Port Arthur unless they had done something really bad or were recidivist criminals. The boys were sent out to provide labour or do trades and in return they were educated, taught a trade and given moral values through
The shell of the church at Port Arthur
Only the outer walls remain of the church at Port Arthur in it's commanding view out over the prison and community religious instruction.
Next to the boy’s accommodation on the point is an island called the Isle of Death where anyone who died was buried here and this included prisoners and their gaolers alike. The island is tiny so goodness knows how they can fit 1100 bodies there.
The harbour around Port Arthur is really lovely. It is sheltered, deep and surrounded by sandy beaches, promontories and forest. The forests were one of the reasons the prison was established here – to provide timber for building Hobart.
After lunch we did our own walking tour of the entire complex. There were information boards and photos and we had an audio commentary to use as well. We visited gardens, old homes (some furnished), the church, the main gaol, the Separate Prison (for the real baddies), the asylum, the hospital, the farm buildings, the school, and other support buildings. Some are in very good condition and others have been left in a semi restored state.
We need to remember that this prison opened in 1832 and closed in 1877 so there have been many years when the site fell into disrepair. However, there is enough recorded history and preserved buildings to give an idea of the living conditions and the activities of a past time. After closing, many buildings were sold or were used as a public amenity. Now the site is a World Heritage Site which has been vastly upgraded to make it easy to inspect, admire and get a feeling for a dreadful time in the 1800’s. It is now such a contrast to the original community which was no doubt a sombre and sobering place. It is a “must do” activity when visiting Tasmania.
The day was completed catching up with A&M for the usual pre-dinner drinks, followed by post-dinner cards of Phase10.
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