Page 14 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - August '23

Page 14, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Tasmania’s Gulag Peninsula

Previously submitted by the Dunalley, but most important
late Don Kiselewski, MCC, was the narrowing of the
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens landmass at Eaglehawk Neck.
Travel Leaders At this point, the lower end of
Imagine if you will, being the peninsula was squeezed to
very cold, hungry, and without 100 yards between the Norfolk
a job or a place to live. Imagine Bay and Tasman Sea. Keeping
that not only you but also the prisoners contained became
thousands of people – almost easy … all it took was a line
the entire country – are in the of vicious dogs chained at
same boat. Such was the case intervals along the end of
in England in the early 19th Eaglehawk Neck.
century. It appeared as though crime was the only way out. Not The center of the lower The Penitentiary at Port Arthur. The remains of the hospital stand on the hill.
so much committing the crime, and the benefit of the loot, but portion of the peninsula is
instead, the prospect of being caught and sent to prison. A prison pierced by Carnarvon Bay,
far from the shores of the British Isles … and, a prison where shown on maps as Port Arthur.
one might get the chance to continue life in a new country. Located in a cove on the
Such was the case western side of the bay is Port
with many of the Arthur, the settlement named
prisoners that were sent by Captain John Welsh and
far from the British his surveyor in 1828. The
Isles to serve out their prison took its name from
prison sentences. the port located at the cove,
Many committed what named Russel Cove during the
we might think of as convict period, however later it
petty crimes, such as was changed to Mason Cove.
stealing a silver spoon During the convict days, Port
or candlestick or a lace Arthur’s access was by sea …
handkerchief. However, it wasn’t until 40 years after the The Convict Church built in 1836 to 1867. The church was never consecrated because it was
during this great last prisoner was sent to Port used by different denominations.
depression in England, Arthur that the road down the
these offenses got them a peninsula was completed. other and the guards, in solitary confinement and total silence.
boat ride to the other end In 1832, just four years after Captain Welsh named the port, Instead of flogging, this type of incarceration was supposed to
of the world – Australia. prisoners started arriving. They continued to do so for the next reform a prisoner’s mind.
Geographically, 21 years. In 1840, there were some 2,000 convicts at Port Arthur. The Health and Welfare Precinct contains the remains of the
the Tasman Peninsula In 1877, after the last of the sentences were served, the facility hospital (1842), the paupers’ mess (1864) and the asylum (1865)
(Gulag Peninsula) was was closed. Some 12,500 convicts had served their time at Port … perhaps for the inmates of the Separate Prison. The paupers’
ideal for the purpose of Arthur Prison, and were then released to homestead, if they so mess and dormitories that once stood in this area were provided
containing those sent chose, the wilds of Australia. for the ex-convicts who were too old or infirmed and relied on
there. There are two The guard tower stands with The Convict Precinct just a little farther into the cove contains the government for assistance.
bottlenecks in the length a prominent view of the entire the penitentiary that was formerly a granary and flourmill. The Standing above the entire site is the guard tower (1835),
of the peninsula, one at prison facility. first two floors housed 136 convicts each in a separate room, the most dominant feature of the Military and Administration
and the fourth floor held 348 men sleeping dormitory style. The Precinct. The military compound here housed the soldiers
third floor was the mess, library and Catholic chapel. In 1897, the and provided an area to eat and play sports, and acted as a
building was gutted by fire; however, one can still walk through parade ground. Many of the military had families with them on
the shell. assignment at Port Arthur. The Commandant’s office was the first
Family owned & operated since 1988 The “Separate” Prison was built in 1849. It was a round
building, designed to completely isolate prisoners from each Tasmania’s Gulag Peninsula on page 15

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