New Entrance
We visited the Port Arthur site today and really did not know what to expect, you see it on TV and get a view of it as a small site with old buildings about, but as you arrive you see that it is a huge site and the building are old but in good order in most cases and I am sure it did not look this way when was operating as a lot of the building etc. are gone due to fires or building pulled down and materials transported to Hobart to build houses there, first thing you see is the very new building which holds the info centre and ticket sales which sort of fits into the place.
After a very helpful staff member you are pointed down the stairs to your first tour of the day which is about 30 min in which they go over the history of the place, the guy we had was a great story teller even a little odd himself.
After that we had just twenty mins before our tour in the boat around the bay and past Island of the dead and the young boys prison, and back to the dock from which we are free to go our own way.
we wandered about and saw the way in which they lived and looked at the houses of the time and you really got a feel of the living they must have had. It was a hard life and something I did not think about that most who came here were very young and for them must have been a hard way to live without family as we have now.
You really get a different mind set on the place in that Arthur was trying to give these prisoners a trade and teach them how to live a life, outside the walls.
To start teaching programs and give a trade to young people rather than just working them to death was really something you are taught in history at schools. maybe they are trying to change the history of this place by adding such stories. But once small things are pointed out to you, such as the way the stones are put into some building you can see where a person has put in some bricks in a good and just down from them is a brick layering that would be form some one who did not know how to do it.
The way in which it is looked after now is outstanding as there are staff everywhere gardening and fixing fences and driving the little golf buggies to get the older people about the large site.
Too bad a lot of the building are gone forever due to Fires and taking the buildings else where when it closed but well worth the effort.
Now as you read down the page I have added the facts I heard or got from the internet to give you the full picture and yes I have added photos and some text about the not so past history when 35 people were gunned down here and it not to be missed after all its part of the history here now and they will always be remembered along with the other 1,100 people who died here as well.
After a very helpful staff member you are pointed down the stairs to your first tour of the day which is about 30 min in which they go over the history of the place, the guy we had was a great story teller even a little odd himself.
After that we had just twenty mins before our tour in the boat around the bay and past Island of the dead and the young boys prison, and back to the dock from which we are free to go our own way.
we wandered about and saw the way in which they lived and looked at the houses of the time and you really got a feel of the living they must have had. It was a hard life and something I did not think about that most who came here were very young and for them must have been a hard way to live without family as we have now.
You really get a different mind set on the place in that Arthur was trying to give these prisoners a trade and teach them how to live a life, outside the walls.
To start teaching programs and give a trade to young people rather than just working them to death was really something you are taught in history at schools. maybe they are trying to change the history of this place by adding such stories. But once small things are pointed out to you, such as the way the stones are put into some building you can see where a person has put in some bricks in a good and just down from them is a brick layering that would be form some one who did not know how to do it.
The way in which it is looked after now is outstanding as there are staff everywhere gardening and fixing fences and driving the little golf buggies to get the older people about the large site.
Too bad a lot of the building are gone forever due to Fires and taking the buildings else where when it closed but well worth the effort.
Now as you read down the page I have added the facts I heard or got from the internet to give you the full picture and yes I have added photos and some text about the not so past history when 35 people were gunned down here and it not to be missed after all its part of the history here now and they will always be remembered along with the other 1,100 people who died here as well.
Port Arthur was named after Governor George Arthur. Located on the rugged Tasman Peninsula, the ocean, forests and landforms made it a natural prison.
It was well-endowed with natural resources; the forests yielded valuable timber, the harbour was large and deep and it had a good supply of fresh water.
The settlement was established in September 1830 as a timber-getting camp, producing sawn logs for government projects. After 1833 it became a punishment station for repeat offenders from the Australian colonies. It also managed a number of outstations that produced raw material like food and timber.
It was well-endowed with natural resources; the forests yielded valuable timber, the harbour was large and deep and it had a good supply of fresh water.
The settlement was established in September 1830 as a timber-getting camp, producing sawn logs for government projects. After 1833 it became a punishment station for repeat offenders from the Australian colonies. It also managed a number of outstations that produced raw material like food and timber.
The World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula is Australia's most intact and evocative convict site, and an essential destination on any tour of Tasmania. The Historic Site has over 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes set in 40 hectares of landscaped grounds.
In 1830, a penal colony for secondary offenders was established on the Tasman Peninsula on the east coast of Van Diemen's Land. It was called Port Arthur and was named after Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur (1784–1854). The sentenced convicts built the prison consisting of hard labour yards, facilities for constant surveillance and solitary confinement cells. It was well known for its harsh treatment of convicts. In 1833 coal was discovered, and convicts worked in the mines known as the Convict Mines. In 1834 shipbuilding was introduced, but only convicts who were well behaved were to be trained to work at the dockyard, as carpenters, blacksmiths, caulkers, coopers and shipwrights. By 1835, there were 800 convicts working in numerous chain gangs. A chapel was built in such a way that the convicts could not see each other but the minister could see each prisoner. By 1838, the convicts were making shoes and other items that could be sold. Railway lines, built by the convicts with chains around their ankles, carried these commodities and passengers to various points across the island.
Point Puer, also on the Tasman Peninsula, was a prison for boys between 9 and 18 years of age. By 1837 there were more than 400 boys at Point Puer, who mainly worked in labouring gangs. They were given minimal schooling, but some of the lucky ones were taught a trade. Those who disobeyed orders could be given the lash. Typical of a daily routine was to rise at 5 am for Bible reading and prayers, breakfast at 7 am, and practical trades or work in labouring gangs till midday. The boys then washed, ate lunch and returned to work until 5 pm. They washed again and had supper, which was followed by schoolwork, evening prayers and scripture reading. They were in bed by 7.30 pm.
Point Puer, also on the Tasman Peninsula, was a prison for boys between 9 and 18 years of age. By 1837 there were more than 400 boys at Point Puer, who mainly worked in labouring gangs. They were given minimal schooling, but some of the lucky ones were taught a trade. Those who disobeyed orders could be given the lash. Typical of a daily routine was to rise at 5 am for Bible reading and prayers, breakfast at 7 am, and practical trades or work in labouring gangs till midday. The boys then washed, ate lunch and returned to work until 5 pm. They washed again and had supper, which was followed by schoolwork, evening prayers and scripture reading. They were in bed by 7.30 pm.
Island of the dead.
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The Isle of the Dead is a small island located in the bay off Port Arthur. In 1833 it was selected as a burial place by the Reverend John Manton and was called the Isle of the Dead.
According to the Rev J.A. Manton ‘This, it appeared to me, would be a secure and undisturbed resting-place where the prisoners might lie together until the morning of the resurrection’. Between 1833 and the closure of the penal settlement in 1877 some 1100 burials took place.
Even in death the strict social order was maintained. Free people Even in death the strict social order was maintained. Free people were buried on the highest part of the island; their graves were marked by headstones that were carved by the convict stonemasons. The convicts, paupers, lunatics and invalids however were buried on the lower part of the island; they were not allowed any grave markers until the 1850s
Separate Prison for the bad boys.
note the dress they had to wear
In 1851 the Separate Prison was opened. This represented a move away from physical punishment to a focus on psychological punishment. It was known as the Separate Prison because the prisoners were to be kept strictly apart from each other. This meant they had separate cells. separate exercise yards and separate cubicles in the chapel. Within the Prison there was total silence and solitude.
When a prisoner fi rst arrived he was read the rules of the prison and issued with special clothing which included a metal badge with a number on it; from this time on they were to be known only by this number. The convicts were not allowed to communicate with each other in any way and could only speak to the guards when passing on essential information, or to the visiting clergyman. Apart from going to chapel (prisoners attended divine services fours times a week), cleaning duty and an hour’s exercise per day a prisoner spent all his time in his cell. This is where he ate, slept and worked. Work included shoemaking, tailoring, picking oakum, mat or broom making.
When a prisoner left his cell he had to wear a hood that came down over his face, with slits for his eyes. Even if he saw another prisoner they could not recognise each other. If he broke any of the many rules he was further punished by being locked in the ‘dark cell’, in total darkness and silence. A prisoner could be locked in here for between several hours to 30 days on bread and water. After 3 days he was taken for an hour’s exercise each day.
When a prisoner fi rst arrived he was read the rules of the prison and issued with special clothing which included a metal badge with a number on it; from this time on they were to be known only by this number. The convicts were not allowed to communicate with each other in any way and could only speak to the guards when passing on essential information, or to the visiting clergyman. Apart from going to chapel (prisoners attended divine services fours times a week), cleaning duty and an hour’s exercise per day a prisoner spent all his time in his cell. This is where he ate, slept and worked. Work included shoemaking, tailoring, picking oakum, mat or broom making.
When a prisoner left his cell he had to wear a hood that came down over his face, with slits for his eyes. Even if he saw another prisoner they could not recognise each other. If he broke any of the many rules he was further punished by being locked in the ‘dark cell’, in total darkness and silence. A prisoner could be locked in here for between several hours to 30 days on bread and water. After 3 days he was taken for an hour’s exercise each day.
one of the wings.
Gates to exercise yards
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Exercise yard, and u can see the walls missing so they were small
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The floors in prisons must have been cold in winter
MINISTERS OF RELIGION The Anglican clergy were responsible for the spiritual well-being of every person on the settlement. They played an important role in the reformation of the prisoners, preaching fear of the pits of hell that awaited sinners and the joys that awaited the truly repentant.
They performed divine service twice every Sundays and also on Christmas Day and on Good Friday. They also had to read prayers every morning and night to the convicts of their denomination, and visit the sick and the men in solitary confinement on a daily basis. They also of cited at funerals and christenings.
The Anglican clergyman was also responsible for the school.
Catholics originally had to attend Anglican service, but the Reverend Edward Durham, a Church of Ireland clergyman, made no secret of his hatred of Catholics. In 1843, 163 Catholic convicts refused to attend his services in the Church. As a result, a space was set aside for a Catholic chapel in the Penitentiary, and a Catholic chaplain was appointed.
They performed divine service twice every Sundays and also on Christmas Day and on Good Friday. They also had to read prayers every morning and night to the convicts of their denomination, and visit the sick and the men in solitary confinement on a daily basis. They also of cited at funerals and christenings.
The Anglican clergyman was also responsible for the school.
Catholics originally had to attend Anglican service, but the Reverend Edward Durham, a Church of Ireland clergyman, made no secret of his hatred of Catholics. In 1843, 163 Catholic convicts refused to attend his services in the Church. As a result, a space was set aside for a Catholic chapel in the Penitentiary, and a Catholic chaplain was appointed.
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Notice the seating, called coffins, each prisoner is taken into church and put in one of these for his church service and can not see the person next to them the whole 2hrs and they don't ever see each other
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This is the only place they can open their mouths and speak and only to sing the songs which is only on a Sunday.
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The Big House.
The Commandant lived in a house that was built high on the hill refecting his high status. The house was isolated by its location and a high brick wall, so that it provided a degree of privacy and security for him and his family. Originally the house was a small four roomed weatherboard cottage but over the years it was extended although it was always said to be draughty and inconvenient. The Commandant’s role changed during the occupation of the penal settlement Originally the Commandant supervised the whole of the Tasman Peninsula, although he was not expected to interfere with the running of the Probations Stations which was the responsibility of the Superintendent of each station. Nor was he responsible for the soldiers at Port Arthur or at any of the outstations, this was the role of the Senior Military officer. The Commandant however did have to visit these stations to review security and to ensure efficiency in the farming of the Peninsula. His other duties included inspecting all buildings and the convicts weekly to see if they were clean, healthy and orderly. The Commandant’s duties changed in 1839, as the Lieutenant Governor restricted his duties to cover only Port Arthur and Point Puer, and the police and signal stations on the Peninsula. Most of the Commandants were soldiers, and only one, James Boyd, had ever had any experience of running a prison.
The entrance as you walk in front door.
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Ship building area at Port Arthur.
he Dockyards were originally established to repair ships that called in at Port Arthur. This changed however in 1834 when shipbuilding began. In 1835 the convict-built vessel was launched there, the 97 ton Eliza.
She was built to chase prisoners who were attempting to escape in boats, and to carry despatches. The Dockyards operated for 15 years and during that time a large number of vessels were built, including government schooners as well as smaller boats for the whaling industry and general transportation. This was one of only three dockyards in the British Empire where convicts built both the dockyards and the boats.
The Dockyards complex was made up of docks, workshops, slips, sawpits, boat building and rigging sheds, wood steaming apparatus and a house for the Master Shipwright. It was hard work. Some of the convicts viewed the work as almost as hard as that of the carrying gangs. Some men had to work immersed in cold water up to their necks in order to complete the fi tout of the vessels. The carrying gang also played a role in the building of the ships, as they were used to transport the masts and spars from the timber yard to the Dockyards.
Convicts who were skilled in range of trades were also required at the Dockyards. Blacksmiths made and repaired the tools and made the metal ships’ fastenings. Coopers were also in demand for completing the buoys and skilled men were required to cut and sew the sails. The boats built here were fi ne ships and lasted for many years. After fifteen years the Dockyard closed for a number of reasons, including the lack of convict labour as transportation had ended, cost cutting measures by the government and petitions to government from private boatbuilders. They claimed that free convict labour was unfair competition for them, since they had to pay their workers and this made their boats more expensive.
She was built to chase prisoners who were attempting to escape in boats, and to carry despatches. The Dockyards operated for 15 years and during that time a large number of vessels were built, including government schooners as well as smaller boats for the whaling industry and general transportation. This was one of only three dockyards in the British Empire where convicts built both the dockyards and the boats.
The Dockyards complex was made up of docks, workshops, slips, sawpits, boat building and rigging sheds, wood steaming apparatus and a house for the Master Shipwright. It was hard work. Some of the convicts viewed the work as almost as hard as that of the carrying gangs. Some men had to work immersed in cold water up to their necks in order to complete the fi tout of the vessels. The carrying gang also played a role in the building of the ships, as they were used to transport the masts and spars from the timber yard to the Dockyards.
Convicts who were skilled in range of trades were also required at the Dockyards. Blacksmiths made and repaired the tools and made the metal ships’ fastenings. Coopers were also in demand for completing the buoys and skilled men were required to cut and sew the sails. The boats built here were fi ne ships and lasted for many years. After fifteen years the Dockyard closed for a number of reasons, including the lack of convict labour as transportation had ended, cost cutting measures by the government and petitions to government from private boatbuilders. They claimed that free convict labour was unfair competition for them, since they had to pay their workers and this made their boats more expensive.
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They really look after the grass and gardens and they have fruit tress and old veg gardens about, there are staff working about the place.
I bet a far cry from how it used to be when they first got here and started the prison .
And they allow you to pick the Apples and have a taste of them or they just drop on ground and rot away or end up under the mowers.
I bet a far cry from how it used to be when they first got here and started the prison .
And they allow you to pick the Apples and have a taste of them or they just drop on ground and rot away or end up under the mowers.
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Almost hidden behind a high hedge is the café where 35 fellow Australian were gunned down while enjoying a break from walking about the port, it has a strange feeling when you walk in the place and there are a few small plaques that show the names of the poor people who died that day.
Its close by the road which leads to the dock area and I was surprised by the number of people who walked right by the site, we walked in and without really thinking about it stood and look into the pool of water and thought of that day and how it must have been such a horrid place it must have been, you just cant image the pain it brings to family who visit here.
I thought about not adding this section, but its part of our past as everything here and we should never forget this poor people just going about there day, as it could have been anyone of us after all.
Its close by the road which leads to the dock area and I was surprised by the number of people who walked right by the site, we walked in and without really thinking about it stood and look into the pool of water and thought of that day and how it must have been such a horrid place it must have been, you just cant image the pain it brings to family who visit here.
I thought about not adding this section, but its part of our past as everything here and we should never forget this poor people just going about there day, as it could have been anyone of us after all.
At around 1.15 pm on 28th April 1996 tourists were seated at several tables at the Broad Arrow Café – a small restaurant located at the major tourist destination of Port Arthur in Tasmania. A young man with blond hair was seen to enter, carrying a large bag that he set down at one of the tables. It was Martin Bryant, a 28-year-old who lived at New Town a suburb of Hobart, located some 100 away.
Bryant removed a Colt AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle from his bag, and without warning opened fire on those around him, shooting at anyone who caught his eye. Firing the semi automatic weapon rapidly, he murdered men, women and children, killing 12 people in the first 30 seconds of his attack.
He then walked back out through the adjacent gift shop and across the car park, shooting at anyone else who crossed his path. Getting back into his car he then drove towards the nearby toll-booth, shooting several others and kidnapping the driver of a passing vehicle.
He was captured by a Special Operations Police Team next morning after he had hidden in a nearby guesthouse called “Seascape”. The owners, David and Noelene Martin had also been killed by Bryant the day before. He had succeeded in murdering 35 people, the deadliest shooting in Australia’s history.
Bryant removed a Colt AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle from his bag, and without warning opened fire on those around him, shooting at anyone who caught his eye. Firing the semi automatic weapon rapidly, he murdered men, women and children, killing 12 people in the first 30 seconds of his attack.
He then walked back out through the adjacent gift shop and across the car park, shooting at anyone else who crossed his path. Getting back into his car he then drove towards the nearby toll-booth, shooting several others and kidnapping the driver of a passing vehicle.
He was captured by a Special Operations Police Team next morning after he had hidden in a nearby guesthouse called “Seascape”. The owners, David and Noelene Martin had also been killed by Bryant the day before. He had succeeded in murdering 35 people, the deadliest shooting in Australia’s history.
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Below are a number of photos from across the place and cover, I have taken and it will give you an overview of the place
