how long was port arthur used as a penal settlement

Full Answer

What is the Port Arthur penal settlement?

Port Arthur Penal Settlement – named in honour of Lt-Governor George Arthur – began life in 1830 as a punishment-oriented timber station. With the progressive addition of further industries, tailored for heavy and light labour, Port Arthur held a key position within the colony's judicial system...

What is the history of Port Arthur?

Alfred Winter, 'Port Arthur', 1888 (ALMFA, SLT) Port Arthur Penal Settlement – named in honour of Lt-Governor George Arthur – began life in 1830 as a punishment-oriented timber station.

What happened to the convicts in Port Arthur?

Transportation of convicts ceased in 1853 and by 1877, Port Arthur was closed. 75,000 convicts had been sent to Van Diemen’s Land during its time as a penal colony. In 1856, it became a self governing colony of the British Empire, changing its name to Tasmania.

Why is Port Arthur the most notorious prison in Australia?

Port Arthur in Tasmania was originally founded in 1830 as a timber station, but its isolation made it the ideal place for a prison, and it was quickly converted into Australia’s largest and most notorious prison colony. In order to pay for the cost of providing for the criminals it housed, the site became a center of industry.

See more

When did Port Arthur become a penal colony?

1830History Timeline The Port Arthur penal settlement began life as a small timber station in 1830 and quickly grew in importance within the colonies. Ship building was introduced on a large scale to Port Arthur as a way of providing selected convicts with a useful skill they could take with them once freed.

When did Tasmania stop being a penal colony?

To the British, Van Diemen's Land – as Tasmania was known until 1856 – seemed like the end of the Earth, an ideal place to send criminals and relieve pressure on an overcrowded prison system at home. Tasmania had some of Australia's largest and most notorious penal settlements.

Was Tasmania a penal colony?

Port Arthur in Tasmania was originally founded in 1830 as a timber station, but its isolation made it the ideal place for a prison, and it was quickly converted into Australia's largest and most notorious prison colony.

How long was Australia a penal colony?

New South Wales, a state in southeast Australia, was founded by the British as a penal colony in 1788. Over the next 80 years, more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, in lieu of being given the death penalty.

Who was the youngest convict sent to Australia?

John Hudson, described as 'sometimes a chimney sweeper', was the youngest known convict to sail with the First Fleet. Voyaging on board the Friendship to NSW, the boy thief was 13 years old on arrival at Sydney Cove.

Did any convicts escape from Port Arthur?

Despite the Dog Line, there were still escapes from Port Arthur. Most notably was infamous bushranger Martin Cash who managed to escape twice. During his second and most successful escape he swan across Eaglehawk Neck, winning him respect from fellow inmates when he would inevitably return to prison.

What did female convicts do in Australia?

Convict women were employed in domestic service, washing and on government farms, and were expected to find their own food and lodging. Punishment for those who transgressed was humiliating and public. Exile itself was considered a catalyst for reform.

How were convicts treated in Port Arthur?

Convicts who were well behaved would be assigned to lighter labour. Those who misbehaved would be punished with flogging, solitary confinement, heavy irons and after 1851, a spell in the Separate Prison. The men most dreaded being sent to work at the Coal Mines.

Was Van Diemen's land a penal colony?

From the early 1800s to the 1853 abolition of penal transportation (known simply as "transportation"), Van Diemen's Land was the primary penal colony in Australia. Following the suspension of transportation to New South Wales, all transported convicts were sent to Van Diemen's Land.

How many convict ships went to Tasmania?

In the 41 years of transportation, about 67,000 convicts (64,206 of which arrived direct from Britiain), around 22% of whom were Irish, arrived on over 300 transport ships.

What happened to Port Arthur?

Port Arthur’s story did not end with the removal of the last convict. Almost immediately the site was renamed Carnarvon and, during the 1880s, land was parcelled up and put to auction, people taking up residence in and around the old site.

What was Port Arthur originally designed for?

Originally designed as a replacement for the recently closed timber camp at Birches Bay, Port Arthur quickly grew in importance within the penal system of the colonies. The initial decade of settlement saw a penal station hacked from the bush, and the first manufactories – such as ship building, shoemaking, smithing, ...

What did the convicts cut from the bush?

From the very early days of settlement gangs of convicts cut timber from the bush surrounding the settlement. The saws of the convicts supplied a steady stream of building materials to fulfill the needs of works both on and off the peninsula. The trees were enormous, much larger than the ones we find today.

What were the convicts sent to Van Diemen's Land?

The convicts sent to Van Diemen’s Land were most likely to be poor young people from rural areas or from the slums of big cities. One in five was a woman. Numbers of children were also transported with their parents. Few returned home. Port Arthur, 1833 (Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales: 455940).

How much flour did convicts need to ration in 1840?

A convict population of this size required over 2.5 ton of flour a day to fulfil the bread ration alone.

What was Port Arthur's asylum?

Port Arthur’s Asylum was built next to the Separate Prison at the southern extremity of the site. Built to a classic cruciform shape, the wings were occupied by dormitories around a central mess hall. The building was flanked by two ‘L’ shaped buildings comprising a Keepers’ quarters and a bakehouse.

How many people died in the Broad Arrow shooting?

He drove to the Historic Site and ate a meal on the deck of the Broad Arrow Café. He re-entered the café, which was crowded with lunchtime customers, took a rifle from his bag and began shooting. In the first 90 seconds, 20 people died and 12 were injured.

Why was Port Arthur in Tasmania a prison?

Port Arthur in Tasmania was originally founded in 1830 as a timber station, but its isolation made it the ideal place for a prison, and it was quickly converted into Australia’s largest and most notorious prison colony. In order to pay for the cost of providing for the criminals it housed , the site became a center of industry.

Where is Port Arthur in Australia?

Want to Visit? Port Arthur in Tasmania was originally founded in 1830 as a timber station, but its isolation made it the ideal place for a prison, and it was quickly converted into Australia’s largest and most notorious prison colony.

Why did the dockyards close?

The prison dockyards were actually forced to close down after private shipwrights complained to the government that they could not compete with the quality of ships made by the prisoners.

When did Martin Bryant open fire?

A more recent blood-stained incident brought the historical site back into the headlines. On Sunday, April 28, 1996 , in Australia’s worst killing spree, a man named Martin Bryant drove to the popular tourist spot and opened fire in the cafe, gift shop, and surrounding area, killing 35 people and wounding others.

What were the differences between Port Arthur and other prisons?

Although Port Arthur treated majority of their prisoners in traditional ways (for example as slave labor on many difficult construction jobs and farms), there were several differences that separated this prison from the other penitentiaries of 19th century was their focus on psychological punishment. It was thought that physical punishment (whipping, beating) only produced hardened criminals, and they invented system based on food rewards (and other luxury items tea, sugar and tobacco) or punishment (bare minimum of nutrition). Another not so successful tactics was incarceration with hoods that were intended to provide time for the prisoners to reflect on their action. This tactics produced many cases of insanity and mental illness due to lack of sound and light, and the nearby Asylum that was within the walls of the complex received many of those prisoners. Another innovation was the formation of first British Empire prison for boys. Many boys (as young as nine) were transported there, where they were ordered to work in harsh conditions (tone cutting and construction).

How many people visit Port Arthur Prison?

Today, site of Port Arthur prison is visited by over 250 thousand people each year.

How did the remote location of the prison affect escape attempts?

Remote location of prison greatly reduced the escape attempts. Cold water that surrounded the prison was shark infested (at least by the rumors), and few ships that transported the food and supplies were very heavily guarded. Small tramway that helped in transport of supplies between ships and main prison complex was built in 1836, and the propulsion for the carriages was prisoners themselves.

How many bodies were buried in Port Arthur?

During the active years of prison between 1830 and 1877, over 1600 bodies were buried on the nearby cemetery that was located on the small island called "Island of the Dead".

Why is the prison in Australia so famous?

Hailed for its strictest security measures of British penal system and isolation from rest of the world, this prison soon gained reputation that remains intact even until today, especially after it became the site of the Australia's deadliest gun massacre in recent history.

Where did Port Arthur come from?

The origin of Port Arthur comes from the small timber station that was formed in 1830, but from 1833 to 1853 it became destination for hardest convicted criminals from England and Ireland. Formation of prison tried to follow the theories of famous philosopher, legal and social reformer Jeremy Bentham who advocated the concept ...

Where is the prison in Australia?

History of Australia’s Prison - Port Arthur. Port Arthur was a former convict settlement and penitentiary, located near a small town of the same name and some 60 km south of the Hobart, state capital of Australian island state Tasmania.

When was the Port Arthur massacre?

Massacre. Main article: Port Arthur massacre (Australia) On 28 April 1996, the Port Arthur historic site was the location of a massacre. The perpetrator murdered 35 people and wounded 23 more before being captured by the Special Operations Group.

How many people were killed in the Port Arthur massacre?

On 28 April 1996, the Port Arthur historic site was the location of a massacre. The perpetrator murdered 35 people and wounded 23 more before being captured by the Special Operations Group. The killing spree led to a national restriction on high capacity semiautomatic shotguns and rifles. The 28-year-old perpetrator was subsequently convicted and is currently serving 35 life sentences plus 1,035 years without parole in the psychiatric wing of Risdon Prison in Hobart, Tasmania.

Why was whaling banned in Port Arthur?

Shore-based and ship-based whaling was banned in the area to prevent convicts trying to escape in the boats. Officers at Port Arthur sometimes set out in their own boats and attempted to catch whales. This may have been more for sport than as a commercial activity.

What was the purpose of the Separate Prison System?

The Separate Prison System also signaled a shift from physical punishment to psychological punishment. The hard corporal punishment, such as whippings, used in other penal stations was thought to only serve to harden criminals, and did nothing to turn them from their immoral ways. For example, food was used to reward well-behaved prisoners and as punishment for troublemakers. As a reward, a prisoner could receive larger amounts of food or even luxury items such as tea, sugar, and tobacco. As punishment, the prisoners would receive the bare minimum of bread and water. Under this system of punishment, the "Silent System" was implemented in the building. Here, prisoners were hooded and made to stay silent; this was supposed to allow time for the prisoner to reflect upon the actions which had brought him there. Many of the prisoners in the Separate Prison developed mental illness from the lack of light and sound. This was an unintended outcome, although the asylum was built right next to the Separate Prison. In many ways, Port Arthur was the model for many of the penal reform movement, despite shipping, housing, and slave-labour use of convicts being as harsh, or worse, than others stations around the nation.

Why did ships have to check in their sails and oars upon landing?

Ships had to check in their sails and oars upon landing to prevent any escapes. However, many attempts were made, and some were successful. Boats were seized and rowed or sailed long distances to freedom. In 1836, a tramway was established between Taranna and a jetty in Long Bay, north of Port Arthur.

What did the people of Port Arthur do?

Not only did the people living there help prepare food, but they also participated in recreational activities such as smoking and hunting. Archaeological excavation of the Port Arthur workshops complex is overseen by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA). These workshops, situated on the original waterfront since 1830, housed the trades-focussed activities undertaken at the penal station including shoemakers, blacksmiths, tailors, turners and wheelwrights. A journal of the ongoing excavation and conservation work at Port Arthur is documented online by Dr Richard Tuffin.

What is Port Arthur named after?

Port Arthur was named after George Arthur, the lieutenant governor of Van Diemen's Land. The settlement started as a timber station in 1830, but it is best known for being a penal colony .

When was Port Arthur established?

Port Arthur was established in the 1830s as a penal settlement. It remains a physical chronicle of a dramatic part of Australia's history. Its 60 or so buildings and picturesque landscape offer visitors a challenging mix of both beauty and horror and have helped the site to become Tasmania's most popular tourist destination.

What is Port Arthur?

Port Arthur – Things to Do. One of the most well-known and iconic destinations in Tasmania is the Port Arthur UNESCO World Heritage Site . This sprawling complex of 30 historic 18th and 19th-century buildings aside the rocky cliffs along the Tasman Sea contains a dark past that continues to fascinate visitors to this day.

How long are Port Arthur tickets valid?

Site entry tickets are valid for 2 consecutive days and include an Introductory Guided Walking Tour, Harbour Cruise, access to the Museum, Convict Study Center and Interpretation Gallery and the site of the Dockyard. Image thanks to: Supplied Courtesy of Port Arthur Historic Site.

What is the dog line in Port Arthur?

This thin strip of land was once guarded by the “Dog Line”, which is pretty much what it implies: a group of dogs chained together, preventing convicts from escaping Port Arthur’s notorious prison site . A sculpture now commemorates this once vicious barricade.

Where to visit in Port Arthur?

Port Arthur is more than just a historic and eerily enchanting place to visit though--located on the coast of the Tasman Peninsula as it is, nature walks along the rugged cliffside are a must-do. Explorers will love the aptly named Remarkable Cave, with its spectacular scenery.

Where to see the old boy prison?

A short boat ride to the Isle of the Dead as the original convict cemetery is included with most guided tours. Port Puer, the historic location of the old boy's prison, can be seen from Carnarvon Bay on tour boats passing the dockyards as well.

When was Port Arthur abandoned?

Some of the buildings at Port Arthur were extensively damaged after its abandonment in 1877. Fire damaged the roofs of some of the buildings in the late 19th century. Port Arthur was sold in 1889 after being left to decay for a number or years. The new owners began tearing down the buildings and fires in 1895 and 1897 destroyed the old prison house.

Why was corporal punishment not appropriate in Port Arthur?

Corporal punishment was seen as having less impact on hardened criminals and so was deemed not to be appropriate for Port Arthur. Many of the psychological punishments, such as depriving them of light and sound, caused many to develop mental illness and an asylum was built next to the prison as a result.

How many convicts were sent to Van Diemen's Land?

Only 180 are marked, mostly those of staff members. Transportation of convicts ceased in 1853 and by 1877, Port Arthur was closed. 75,000 convicts had been sent to Van Diemen’s Land during its time as a penal colony. In 1856, it became a self governing colony of the British Empire, changing its name to Tasmania.

What was the harshest penal colony in Australia?

Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land were subjected to hard labour. It was the destination for British and Irish criminals who re-offended after their arrival at other colonies in Australia and it gained a reputation as the toughest of all the penal colonies.

What is Port Arthur?

Port Arthur Penitentiary – An Abandoned Prison In Tasmania. Port Arthur in Tasmania once had a reputation as an inescapable prison, Australia’s Alcatraz. In April 1996, it gained new fame as the site of the worst massacre in the modern history of Australia when Martin Bryant from Hobart killed 35 people and wounded 23 more.

How many graves were there in Port Arthur?

Even still, 1,646 graves were recorded on the Isle of the Dead, a small island where all those who died in the prisons and asylum were buried. Only 180 are marked, mostly those of staff members.

Where is Port Arthur located?

Port Arthur is located approximately 97 kilometres (60 mi) southeast of the state capital, Hobart and has a population of around 250. Many of them are employed in tourism based around the historic site. Port Arthur began life in 1833 as a penal colony for British and Irish convicts and was meant to be toughest of all the prisons in Australia, ...

What were the conditions of the convicts in Port Arthur?

Children often went along with their parents. Only a few returned home. Most convicts who were sent to Port Arthur had committed crimes before. A following crime, some as little as stealing a bread, would put them on transport to the island. Mainly poor people ended up on the island. The conditions and the labour were harsh. The worst places where a convict could end up were in the underground cells of the Coal Mine or the punishment cells where convicts would spend all day in complete silence and darkness.

Who killed Joseph Shuttleworth?

Of course, there were incidents among convicts as well. A young man named William Riley shocked the guards when he suddenly killed Joseph Shuttleworth while working in the church. Shuttleworth was a frequent offender and an unpopular convict. Riley took his pickaxe and gave three blows on Shuttleworth’s head with it. After the murder he said he was satisfied now. Whatever his motive was is still unclear. But, Shuttleworth did have the reputation of annoying other convicts. The church still stands today. The church is unconsecrated and was built to reform Port Arthur’s convicts through a regime of religious instruction and worship.

How many buildings are there on the Isle of the Dead?

Today, there are 30 buildings still present on the site. Some of these buildings are in ruins, some are accessible. Several tours are provided including a Historic Ghost Tour. You can even book a boat trip to the Isle of the Dead!

Is Port Arthur haunted?

Sightings of ghosts and unexplained phenomena have been reported at Port Arthur since 1870. It’s often referred to as being one of the most haunted places in Australia. Strange light anomalies, poltergeist activity and hearing disembodied footsteps are some of the accounts. Some claim to suddenly feel overcome with sadness and dread. But people have also been touched and have seen apparitions.

What is the significance of Port Arthur?

The story of the Port Arthur Historic Site is a story of many people, places and moments. Over its long history, Port Arthur has been a place of hardship and punishment, a place of opportunity, and a place of leisure. Now it is one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations, where the story ...

Why was ship building introduced to Port Arthur?

Ship building was introduced on a large scale to Port Arthur as a way of providing selected convicts with a useful skill they could take with them once freed. The 1853 cessation of transportation resulted in fewer transportees arriving at the station. However, the 1850s and 1860s were years of remarkable activity, ...

What is Port Arthur?

Port Arthur Historic Site is a large site holding a great many stories. Places like the Penitentiary, which was originally constructed as a flour mill and granary in 1843, before it housed hundreds of convicts in dormitories and solitary cells; or the much-feared Separate Prison, where harsh physical punishment was replaced with punishment ...

What is Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority?

The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority has a range of resources to assist anyone in undertaking research. We can also help you to research non-convicts who had a relationship with Port Arthur or the Tasman Peninsula – for example, a Medical Officer, Commandant or Overseer.

When was Carnarvon renamed?

Almost immediately the site was renamed Carnarvon and, during the 1880s, land was parcelled up and put to auction, people taking up residence in and around the old site.

Who was the young man who was transported to Port Arthur?

People like 20-year old Private Robert Young, whose devotion to duty led to a tragic end. Young William Thompson, who was transported for burglary and endured the horror of the underground cells of the Coal Mines;

Is Transcribing Tasmanian Convict Records on Amazon?

The publication Transcribing Tasmanian Convict Records by Susan Hood is now available for purchase on Kindle/Amazon. The book has been updated and the new electronic version of this helpful resource will make transcribing Tasmanian convict records a more efficient experience.

Overview

History

Location

Tourism development

Massacre

See also

Further reading

External links