Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman
Peninsula. It is one of Australia's most significant heratige areas and
the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction.
It is located approximately 60km south east of Hobart. In 1996 it was
the scene of the worst mass murder event in post-colonial Austrlian
History.
Port Arthur was named after Van Diemen's Land lieutenant governor George Arthur. The settlement started as a timber station in 1830, but it is best known for being a penal colony.
From 1833, until the 1850s, it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia. Rebellious personalities from other convict stations were also sent here, a quite undesirable punishment. In addition Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British penal system.
From 1833, until the 1850s, it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia. Rebellious personalities from other convict stations were also sent here, a quite undesirable punishment. In addition Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British penal system.
Port Arthur was one example of the “Separate Prison Typology” (sometimes known as the Model prison), which emerged from Jeremy Bentham’s theories and his panopticon.[3]
The prison was completed in 1853 but then extended in 1855. The layout
of the prison was fairly symmetrical. It was a cross shape with exercise
yards at each corner. The prisoner wings were each connected to the
surveillance core of the Prison as well as the Chapel, in the Center
Hall.[4]
From the this surveillance hub each wing could be clearly seen,
although individual cells could not. This is how the Separate Prison at
Port Arthur differed from the original theory of the Panopticon.[3]
The Separate Prison System also signaled a shift from physical
punishment to psychological punishment. It was thought that the hard corporal punishment,
such as whippings, used in other penal stations only served 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 prison 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.[5]
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.[6]
This was an unintended outcome although the asylum was built right next
to the Separate Prison. In many ways Port Arthur was the pin-up 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.
The peninsula on which Port Arthur is located is a naturally secure site
by being surrounded by water (rumoured by the administration to be shark-infested). The 30m wide isthmus of Eaglehawk Neck that was the only connection to the mainland was fenced and guarded by soldiers, man traps and half-starved dogs.
Contact between visiting seamen and prisoners was barred. 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. The sole propulsion was convicts[7]
Contact between visiting seamen and prisoners was barred. 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. The sole propulsion was convicts[7]
The peninsula on which Port Arthur is located is a naturally secure site
by being surrounded by water (rumoured by the administration to be shark-infested). The 30m wide isthmus of Eaglehawk Neck that was the only connection to the mainland was fenced and guarded by soldiers, man traps and half-starved dogs.
Contact between visiting seamen and prisoners was barred. 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. The sole propulsion was convicts[7]
Contact between visiting seamen and prisoners was barred. 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. The sole propulsion was convicts[7]
Port Arthur was sold as an inescapable prison, much like the later Alcatraz Island in the United States. Some prisoners were not discouraged by this, and tried to escape. Martin Cash
successfully escaped along with two others. One of the most infamous
incidents, simply for its bizarreness, was the escape attempt of one
George "Billy" Hunt. Hunt disguised himself using a kangaroo
hide and tried to flee across the Neck, but the half-starved guards on
duty tried to shoot him to supplement their meager rations. When he
noticed them sighting him up, Hunt threw off his disguise and surrendered, receiving 150 lashes.
Port Arthur was also the destination for juvenile convicts, receiving many boys, some as young as nine arrested for stealing toys. The boys were separated from the main convict population and kept on Point Puer, the British Empire's first boys' prison. Like the adults, the boys were used in hard labour such as stone cutting and construction. One of the buildings constructed was one of Australia's first non-denominational churches, built in a gothic style. Attendance of the weekly Sunday service was compulsory for the prison population. Critics of the new system noted that this and other measures seemed to have negligible impact on reformation.
Port Arthur was also the destination for juvenile convicts, receiving many boys, some as young as nine arrested for stealing toys. The boys were separated from the main convict population and kept on Point Puer, the British Empire's first boys' prison. Like the adults, the boys were used in hard labour such as stone cutting and construction. One of the buildings constructed was one of Australia's first non-denominational churches, built in a gothic style. Attendance of the weekly Sunday service was compulsory for the prison population. Critics of the new system noted that this and other measures seemed to have negligible impact on reformation.
Despite its reputation as a pioneering institution for the new,
enlightened view of imprisonment, Port Arthur was still in reality as
harsh and brutal as other penal settlements. Some critics might even
suggest that its use of psychological punishment, compounded with no
hope of escape, made it one of the worst. Some tales suggest that
prisoners committed murder
(an offence punishable by death) just to escape the desolation of life
at the camp. The Island of the Dead was the destination for all who died
inside the prison camps. Of the 1646 graves recorded to exist there,
only 180, those of prison staff and military personnel, are marked. The
prison closed in 1877.
Today Port Arthur is home to many reputed cases of haunting and ghosts – particularly of convict origin. These include cases of cells with ghostly screams and empty rocking chairs that move.
Today Port Arthur is home to many reputed cases of haunting and ghosts – particularly of convict origin. These include cases of cells with ghostly screams and empty rocking chairs that move.
From Hellhole to Haven Tourism Development
Before Port Arthur was abandoned as a Prison in 1877, people was the
potential tourist attraction. David Burn, who visited the Prison in
1842, was awed by the Peninsula’s beauty and believed that many would
come to visit it.[8]
This opinion was not shared by all. For example, Anthony Trollope in
1872 declared that no man desired to see the “strange ruins” of Port
Arthur.[8]
After the Prison closed much of the property was put up for auction. However, most of the property was not sold until 1889.[8] By this time, the area had become increasing popular and the prison buildings were in decay. As the Hobart Mercury proclaimed,"the buildings themselves are fast going to decay, and in a few years will attract nobody; for they will be ruins without anything to make them worthy of respect, or even remembrance.[8]"
After the Prison closed much of the property was put up for auction. However, most of the property was not sold until 1889.[8] By this time, the area had become increasing popular and the prison buildings were in decay. As the Hobart Mercury proclaimed,"the buildings themselves are fast going to decay, and in a few years will attract nobody; for they will be ruins without anything to make them worthy of respect, or even remembrance.[8]"
The decay was seen as something positive as the Tasmanian population
wished to distance themselves from the dark image of Port Arthur. Those
who bought Port Arthur property began tearing down the buildings,[8] the destruction was furthered by the fires of 1895 and 1897 which destroyed the old prison house, and earth tremors.[8]
In place of the Prison Port Arthur, the town of Carnarvon was born. The
town was named after the British Secretary of State and the population
was said to be “refined and intellectual.[8]”
The town brought in many visitors as they encouraged boating, fishing
and shooting in the natural beauty of the Peninsula. They again wished
to remove the negative connation attached to the area.[8]
Despite this wish, the haunting stories of Port Arthur prisoners and circulating ghost stories brought popularity to the remaining prison ruins. This was helped by the popular novels “For the Term of His Natural Life” (1874) by Marcus Clarke and “The Broad Arrow” (1859) by Caroline Leakey, which concerned themselves about convicts in Port Arthur.[8]
Despite this wish, the haunting stories of Port Arthur prisoners and circulating ghost stories brought popularity to the remaining prison ruins. This was helped by the popular novels “For the Term of His Natural Life” (1874) by Marcus Clarke and “The Broad Arrow” (1859) by Caroline Leakey, which concerned themselves about convicts in Port Arthur.[8]
In 1927 tourism had grown to the point where the area's name was
reverted to Port Arthur. 1916 saw the establishment of the Scenery
Preservation Board (SPB) which took the management of Port Arthur out of
the hands of the locals. By the 1970s the National Parks and Wildlife
Service began managing the site.
In 1979 funding was received to preserve the site as a tourist destination, due to its historical significance. The "working" elements of the Port Arthur community such as the post office and municipal offices were moved to nearby Nubeena. Several magnificent sandstone structures, built by convicts working under hard labour conditions, were cleaned of ivy overgrowth and restored to a condition similar to their appearance in the 19th century. Buildings include the "Model Prison", the Guard Tower, the Church, and the remnants of the main penitentiary. The buildings are surrounded by lush green parkland.
The mass graves on The Isle of the Dead also attract visitors. The air about the small bush-covered island is described as possessing "melancholic" and "tranquil" qualities by visitors.
Point Puer, across the harbour from the main settlement, was the site of the first boys' reformatory in the British Empire. Boys sent there were given some basic education, and taught trade skills.
In 1979 funding was received to preserve the site as a tourist destination, due to its historical significance. The "working" elements of the Port Arthur community such as the post office and municipal offices were moved to nearby Nubeena. Several magnificent sandstone structures, built by convicts working under hard labour conditions, were cleaned of ivy overgrowth and restored to a condition similar to their appearance in the 19th century. Buildings include the "Model Prison", the Guard Tower, the Church, and the remnants of the main penitentiary. The buildings are surrounded by lush green parkland.
The mass graves on The Isle of the Dead also attract visitors. The air about the small bush-covered island is described as possessing "melancholic" and "tranquil" qualities by visitors.
Point Puer, across the harbour from the main settlement, was the site of the first boys' reformatory in the British Empire. Boys sent there were given some basic education, and taught trade skills.
After entering the Historic Site, visitors can either survey the site
for themselves, or participate in guided tours of the Site, a harbour
cruise, tours to the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer and evening
Historic Ghost Tours. There is also a museum, containing written
records, tools, clothing and other curiosities from convict times, a
Convict Gallery with displays of the various trades and work undertaken
by convicts, and a research room where visitors can check up on any
convict ancestors. Visitor facilities include two cafes, a bistro that
operates each evening, gift shop, and other facilities.
Since 1987, the site has been managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority,[9] with conservation works funded by the Tasmanian Government and the admission fees paid by visitors.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO inscribed the Port Arthur Historic Site and the Coal Mines Historic Site onto the World Heritage Register on 31 July 2010, as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property.[10]
To this day, Port Arthur is one of Australia’s Best Known Historical site, receiving over 250,000 visitors each year.[11] The government puts significant money in the upkeep of site.
In January 2000, the final elimination on the first season of The Mole took place inside Port Arthur gaol. The players were to be locked into a cell where the questionnaires took place.
Since 1987, the site has been managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority,[9] with conservation works funded by the Tasmanian Government and the admission fees paid by visitors.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO inscribed the Port Arthur Historic Site and the Coal Mines Historic Site onto the World Heritage Register on 31 July 2010, as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property.[10]
To this day, Port Arthur is one of Australia’s Best Known Historical site, receiving over 250,000 visitors each year.[11] The government puts significant money in the upkeep of site.
In January 2000, the final elimination on the first season of The Mole took place inside Port Arthur gaol. The players were to be locked into a cell where the questionnaires took place.
Information and Pictures with thanks from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Tasmania
