Heritagecare - Friends of Macquarie Harbour Historic Site
Sarah Island was the site of the first convict settlement in Tasmania, established in 1821 and has remained unoccupied and relatively undisturbed since it was finally abandoned as a penal settlement in 1847. With the advent of the popular cruises from Strahan to the Gordon River in the 1980’s (some of which call in at Sarah Island), the island has become a popular tourist destination, primarily to view the ruins of the penal settlement. In March / April 2010 A large amount of work is to be carried out in the historic site to both investigate some of the ruins archaeologically as well as conduct major track network construction and re-alignment on Sarah Island. The Friends of Macquarie Harbour Historic Site comprises a team of archaeologists who will be involved in the work. Others wishing to know what's going on in the Historic Site are welcome to tune in!
Brief History
On the 20th December 1815 Captain James Kelly, accompanied by four oarsme, set out to circumnavigate Tasmania in an open whaleboat the Elizabeth. Hobart merchant and ship-owner Thomas Birch sponsored the trip, with the aim of locating resources for commercial exploitation. Their boat was only one third the length of today's Gordon River Cruise boats.
They arrived at the narrow entrance of Macquarie Harbour nine days after leaving Hobart, on 28 December 1815. The entrance was covered with thick smoke, indicating the presence of Aborigines. Kelly explored the harbour thoroughly and recorded an abundance of Huon pine on its shores and named the new discovery in honour of the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. The following year, coal was also discovered on the harbour's eastern shore by Denis McCarty.
Lieutenant Governor Sorell recommended that a small settlement be established at Macquarie Harbour to exploit the timber and coal, and as 'a place of banishment and security for the worst description of convicts' in the colony.
At present convict offenders, for felonies, are generally sent to Newcastle, New South Wales, by which much expense, inconvenience and evil is incurred. And as the convict population has so rapidly increased a place of security, for the restraint of the most incorrigible, is becoming daily more urgent...
Lt. Governor Sorell, 1820)
The rugged and remote setting was seen as particularly suited to a convict station.
If you are not yet a WILDCARE member and would like to join this group, join WILDCARE Inc (either online, by mail or in person at any Service Tasmania outlet, Parks Visitor Centre or the WILDCARE Inc Office) and then list this group on your membership form.
If you are already a member and would like to join this group, either go to your personal details in the members only area to include the group or contact office@wildcaretas.org.au to change your details.
