Post by davesworld on Apr 4, 2008 5:45:45 GMT -5
Port Arthur is situated about 1 hours drive from Hobart in Tasmania and is the best preserved convict settlement in Australia and among the most significant convict sites in the world.
Between 1830 and 1877 around 12,500 sentences were served by convicts at Port Arthur. The settlement was home to the worst of the worst, serial offenders and repeat escapees. One in seven convicts never lived to see outside it's walls. With family research I have found that one of my descendent's was a guard at the settlement, I'd like to say that he was one of the humane ones, but history has concluded that he was indeed the opposite!
Port Arthur's chequered past continued again on the 28th April 1996, when a crazed gunman massacred 35 innocent people and wounded another 37. The whole country went into shock and the government passed the toughest gun laws ever. You can say what you like, but this country has been a whole lot safer since we gave up the immature obsession with guns.
The irony of Port Arthur is that it is truly the most beautiful and peaceful place I have ever visited in my life and yet it's brutal past and tragic recent events leaves one totally humbled.
Port Arthur Guard House
All images taken with Mamiya ZE-2, Mamiya 50mm-F2 lens, Fuji Sensia 100.
Hope you enjoy,
I have a few more, let me know if this is of interest.
Dave
Between 1830 and 1877 around 12,500 sentences were served by convicts at Port Arthur. The settlement was home to the worst of the worst, serial offenders and repeat escapees. One in seven convicts never lived to see outside it's walls. With family research I have found that one of my descendent's was a guard at the settlement, I'd like to say that he was one of the humane ones, but history has concluded that he was indeed the opposite!
Port Arthur's chequered past continued again on the 28th April 1996, when a crazed gunman massacred 35 innocent people and wounded another 37. The whole country went into shock and the government passed the toughest gun laws ever. You can say what you like, but this country has been a whole lot safer since we gave up the immature obsession with guns.
The irony of Port Arthur is that it is truly the most beautiful and peaceful place I have ever visited in my life and yet it's brutal past and tragic recent events leaves one totally humbled.
Port Arthur Guard House
All images taken with Mamiya ZE-2, Mamiya 50mm-F2 lens, Fuji Sensia 100.
Hope you enjoy,
I have a few more, let me know if this is of interest.
Dave
