Bridgewater Convict Station

In 1826 the Land Commissioners highlighted the difficulties most travellers experienced in crossing the Derwent, with the main route to Launceston following the river to Roseneath where James Austin conveyed them by punt across the river to Herdsman's Cove. The Land Commission recommended the construction of a new crossing, offering a safe and speedy transit over the Derwent. Their preferred location was at the Black Snake (now Granton) where "an excellent quarry and the advantage of a sand bank extending half a mile in length to the Channel, which is here only three hundred and fifty yards across" were highlighted.
In response to the decision to construct a causeway across the River Derwent the Bridgewater Convict Station was established in 1828 on Ebenezer Geiss' grant at Black Snake. The station was west of the quarry on the southern side of the Causeway. Wooden barracks were constructed to accommodate the convict labour force (chain gang).

Work on the Causeway began in 1830 and a year later GTW Boyes visited the site and left an evocative if horrifying account of the cramped and draughty conditions. The convict cells at this time were about seven feet in length by 2ft 6inch in height. Extra buildings were apparently added after this. In 1834 ever concerned with the moral and religious sensibilities of their charges a chapel was erected at the station. There were 152 convicts there in 1832 and a maximum of 280 during the construction period, most in chains.

The quarry located opposite the Causeway provided the 1.80 million tons of crushed mudstone which was extracted by the convicts and wheeled to the end of the Causeway. Considerable problems were encountered establishing a firm base to the construction works because of the river silt and the clay base. The work was referred to as the "Bridgewater folly", where men tried for years to fill up a soft mud hole. The convict labour was supervised by John Lee Archer. The quarry face is a highly visible result of convict efforts to extract fill and stone to be used in the formation of the Causeway. The quarry site is significant as the sources of material for the Causeway, a major public works project which used convict chain gang labour, and was a major element in the transport link between Launceston and Hobart.

The quarry face is evocative of a past era of convict chain gang activity. It is symbolic of the pivotal role played by convict labour in the early development of Van Diemen's Land, dramatically illustrating the labour intensive nature and scale of work undertaken at the Causeway and is rare as part of a large scale public works project undertaken by convict labour forces during the period of transportation.

The site of the former Bridgewater Convict Station 1828-1849, is important as the location of the largest convict chain gang on the Main Road between Hobart and Launceston. This importance is enhanced by the scale of the works undertaken (principally the Causeway) and their importance in the development of the colony. The Causeway became the focus for colonial discontent with Governor Arthur from wealthy land owners who were concerned about the waste of public money. They believed that the convicts would have been more usefully assigned to work on their properties, instead of the Causeway, and would have preferred the funds spent on roads nearer their properties.

Convicts assigned to the causeway were men who had re-offended whilst serving their sentences. They were there for a definite time varying from one to twelve months, and on the expiration of their sentences they were either returned to their masters or transferred to Public Works for less painful employment. With only short intervals of refreshment and repose, they quarried stone, broke it, shaped it as required and wheeled it to the Causeway to form a foundation or to erect piers upon foundations already formed. A flogging triangle was in the courtyard. At one time four convicts attempted to escape from this station by jumping into the Derwent to swim to the other side. One of the convicts was hit by gunfire, and the other three were recaptured.  The construction of the Causeway was a major public works project, being an attempt to solve the problem of crossing the River Derwent and more specifically the commitment of Governor Arthur to a major road between Hobart and Launceston. At the time of completion in 1836, and for some time afterward, the Bridgewater Causeway was regarded as the largest convict built civil engineering project yet undertaken in Australia. Neither the massive retaining wall in Victoria Pass in the western descent from the Blue Mountains in New South Wales or the road works of the Great North Road where it rises from the north bank of the Hawkesbury River are comparable in scale.

Even after the completion of the Causeway there was a substantial station with 17 military posted there in 1838. The station operated as a probation station from 1841(representing later development in the use of convict labour for public works), and from 1845 as a road station for parties repairing the Main Road. By 1847 the station was very rundown. LaTrobe visited the area and described its poor condition with some buildings being almost in ruins. At this stage there was one superintendent, two overseers and one storekeeper along with 66 convicts.
The station was decommissioned between 1847 and 1849. In 1847 the convicts were reputedly removed to Jericho in the Midlands. The station was still reported as open in 1849, possibly supplying some labour for the construction of a rolling bridge across the Derwent channel although by 1850 the station was no longer recorded as open. An 1886 plan shows that the site consisted largely of "traces of buildings".

The Commandant's Cottage and Stone End are significant elements remaining from the former Convict Station and the role it played in the construction of the Causeway.  The Commandant's Cottage is believed to have been the main Officer's Quarters. It stands on a rise overlooking the Derwent River near the Causeway. The Commandant's Cottage is reputed to be the oldest building in the area, built in 1830 to house the officer or officers, in charge of the construction of the Causeway. The stonework on the house is of high quality, with each stone chosen with extreme care for artistic and color effect.

The Commandant's Cottage is important as one of the earliest buildings constructed in the Granton area. The Commandant's Cottage is a two storey Georgian building. It is of a near symmetrical layout. The windows are 12 pane sliding sash double hung windows and there are three dormer windows on the front elevation. It has a hipped corrugated iron roof. The top floor was added in 1974. The cottage was restored a number of years ago and is now a private residence.

Stone End is believed to be a late convict station structure reputedly the Chapel and hospital. Stone End is a single storey building of stone construction which has been altered over the years and is also privately owned.

The stone Watch House is situated directly opposite the highway/Causeway junction at Granton on the southern side of the River Derwent. It is reported to have been erected in 1838. It was there by 1847 when it is marked on an undated plan of the crossing made before the rolling bridge was constructed. It was constructed to house the soldiers who supervised the building of the Causeway. Plans to extend the watch house were completed in 1851 providing a Watch House Keeper's Quarters and Women's Lockup. When extended it included a male and female lock-up, watch house keeper's quarters, two exercise yards and a constable's office. The convicts were housed in a stockade at the rear.

It is believed that it may in fact have formed part of the earlier convict station complex and, on completion of the Causeway, assumed a watch house function. Its location illustrates the importance of the junction at Granton. The Watch House demonstrates the importance of having lock-up facilities in a district with a large convict population, and is significant as an early police building. The Watch House is a rare surviving example of a mid -19th century Watch House from colonial Tasmania.

The convict station site, the quarry and the Causeway are all parts of a historical process that resulted in the crossing of the River Derwent and the site has been assessed as having high archaeological potential to yield information on the layout and workings of a convict road station and chain gang providing insights into Governor Arthur's convict system.

Only two structures, "Stone End" and the "Commandants Cottage" from the convict road station appear to have survived to the present day. A small stone wall may also be a remnant of the period, it is reported that it was part of the cell block.
The quarry face is clearly visible for approximately 300 m in the Granton Reserve.

A huge thank you to Netta & Mark Datlen, owners of the “Commandants Cottage” who graciously allowed me to take the photographs of their home. 

St David's Cathedral, Hobart

Lt Gov David Collins abandoned Port Phillip and sailed to the River Derwent in the ships Lady Nelson and Ocean and took command of the settlement which was relocated to Sullivan’s Cove founding Hobart Town in February 1804. The Reverend Robert Knopwood was the expedition’s chaplain and was the sole chaplain of Van Diemen’s Land. Colonel William Paterson sent from New South Wales in the Lady Nelson to settle at York Town on the west arm of the Tamar River to command Bass Strait from the south side arrived in early November 1804.
Lt Gov David Collins died 24 March 1810 and was buried at St David’s burial ground (now St David’s Park). St David’s Church constructed of wood was erected over David Collins’ grave as a temporary place for public worship. Within a few months it was blown down in a gale. From 30 June 1812 the seat of government of the whole of Van Diemen’s Land was located in Hobart Town, still responsible to New South Wales.

In February 1813 Lt Gov Thomas Davey gained approval from Governor Lachlan Macquarie of New South Wales of plans for erection of the second St David’s Church. On 19 February 1817 the foundation stone of the second St David’s Church was laid on the corner of Murray and Macquarie Streets by Thomas Davey to perpetuate the memory of the late David Collins. The Church was a long time in building and on 9 January 1823 St David’s Church was consecrated by the Reverend Samuel Marsden, Senior Chaplain of New South Wales, who visited Hobart Town under Commission of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

On 7 January 1835 the steeple of the Church was declared unsafe, and taken down and on 18 March 1835 a tower known as the Pepper Pot was erected in its place. In 1836, Hobart Town was declared a City and St David’s Church became St David’s Cathedral. Bishop Nixon was enthroned in the old St David’s on 27 July 1843 by the Senior Chaplain, Dr William Bedford. On 17 January 1862. St David’s Cathedral and land on the corner of Murray and Macquarie Streets was granted by the Crown. The design architect for the new St David’s Cathedral was George Frederick Bodley. Bodley was a leading exponent of Gothic Revival in ecclesiastical architecture in England during the 19th century, however he never visited the Hobart site.

On 8 January 1868 the foundation stone of the present St David’s Cathedral (the third St David’s Church) was laid by HRH Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh in the presence of Governor Thomas Gore Browne, Premier Sir Richard Dry and a large group of clergy. The supervising architect for the building was famous Tasmanian architect Henry Hunter. The builder for the project was James Gregory. On 3 February 1874 the nave of the new St David’s Cathedral was consecrated. A procession took place from the old St David’s which was still standing to the west door of the new Cathedral. In September 1874 the old St David’s Cathedral was pulled down. On 12 January 1892 the foundation stone of the new Cathedral tower was laid by the Primate of Australia with Bishop Montgomery conducting the service in the year of the 250th Anniversary of the discovery of the Island by Abel Tasman.

On 18 January 1894 the Cathedral Chancel and the Nixon Chapel were consecrated by Bishop Montgomery. In August 1908 work on reconstruction of the Chancel began as it was in danger of collapse. The work of reconstruction was completed in April 1909. Work did not commence on erection of the tower until 1929 when an anonymous legacy of £7,000 plus other gifts started the Tower and Cloisters Fund. Work progressed under supervision of architect Alan Walker with contractor H W Pease. On 1 March 1931 (St David’s Day) the cloisters and the base of the tower were opened and consecrated by the Bishop of Tasmania. Completion of the Bell Tower on 28 October 1936 finally saw completion of the plans originally drawn by George Bodley, 68 years after commencement.

There are stones in the museum dating from the 6th century. There are also very old flags dating from the time when Tasmania stopped being a convict settlement. There are also stained glass windows depicting saints, knights, kings and biblical characters. Along the walls there are small memorial plaques dedicated to deceased members. The cathedral's distinctive features also include an arcaded entrance with a large west window and buttressed turrets; a square tower made of Oatlands stone; and a space on the southern side with old trees.

The building sits on the corner of Macquarie and Murray Streets and forms one quadrant of what is considered to be the finest Georgian streetscape in Australia. The cathedral choir offers sacred music both classical and contemporary in worship and in concert. The organ, considered one of the superior organs of Australia, is played by quality organists. The acoustics and 650 seating capacity demand frequent concerts.

The building is on the register of the National Estate. The cathedral has reached a time in its life where substantial work is required both to maintain it – replacing failed materials such as roofing and stonework – and to present it as a vital and contemporary part of the city – upgrading services such as lighting, heating and providing for a wider range of uses of the building.

Over its life, work has been undertaken to maintain and improve the building. This has included adding the bell tower and cloister and various changes around the site and within the building. However the building now requires a major works program to ensure that it will continue well into the future as the principal place of Anglican worship in Tasmania and as a key part of the civic life of Hobart. It also needs a regular and ongoing maintenance program to maintain its condition into the future.

This said, the cathedral still exudes a majesty and scale of size that is comparable to any cathedral in the world. The interior is a 'must see' as it is exceedingly beautiful and a  credit to the original vision of the architect.

Random Shots 5

Random Shots for this month. Hope you like them!

Bruny Island Ferry, Kettering

Colonial Mansion, Mangalore

Hope & Anchor Hotel, Hobart c 1807

Lawitta Pumping Station

Derwent Valley, New Norfolk

Stone Pylon Railway Bridge, New Norfolk

Betsy Island...viewed from South Arm

Old Garage, Wattle Hill

That's It Till Next Month!!

Governor David Collins' Burial Site

Two hundred years ago Lieutenant Governor David Collins was buried following a grand ceremony in the colony he had established just seven years earlier. Just 100 years later, no-one knew where he was buried. It's known that David Collins was buried in what is now St David's Park, but the exact location of his tomb isn't known.

David Collins died on 24 March 1810, just a few years after he established a British settlement in what became Tasmania. Collins played an important part in the formation of Australia in its very early days of British settlement. He came out on the First Fleet in 1788, was sent to Port Philip Bay in Victoria in 1803 to set up a new out-post, decided that wasn't a suitable place for settlement and went on to establish Hobart instead.

It's undeniable that Collins had a big impact on Australian history, yet his final resting place was nearly lost forever. For years there were rumors surrounding the grave of Collins. Collins was very poor at the time of death and it was said he was buried with all his secret savings (in truth, he seems to have ended up poor mainly due to his supporting his wife back in England and his mistresses and children in the colony).
There was a rumor he was buried with numerous scandalous notes and letters that his detractors would never let come to light and it was even said he took a mistress right to the grave with him and that he wasn't alone in his tomb.

In 1925 the chance to answer all these rumors came up when it was decided to turn a burial ground into a public park. There had been a wooden church built on top of Collins' grave, but that structure fell down just a short time after it was built and St David's Cathedral was built a bit up the road on Murray Street. So the now unused burial ground was turned into a park and as the workers were moving the headstones down to the bottom of the park (where they now stand in a memorial wall), they discovered the tomb of Collins.

The tomb, or vault, was covered with a three tonne stone. It was lined with brick, surrounding a Huon pine coffin, which contained a lead coffin which in turn contained another Huon pine coffin. Once they got through all the layers of coffins, they found a large amount of native vegetation piled on top of the body in full regimental dress. It was described as being: "Perfectly persevered as though he had died the week before, the handsome Lt Governor with his fair waving hair with barely a tinge of grey." It said the native plants and herbs used in Collins' burial had a strong embalming affect, preserving the body of the Englishman. The workers only had the grave open for half an hour and then it was all closed up and he was laid to rest again.
Once the hole was refilled, it seems the exact location of the tomb was promptly forgotten again, as no-one is certain just where in the park it is.

There is a memorial in the Park to mark Collins' burial place, but it's thought it's not actually over the grave and has been said to be 30m from the actual site. Looking at photographs of the burial ground, there really wasn't much room to leave an area free for that to be true and the description that seems to be in most publications is that the memorial rests on the western end of the tomb. Despite attempts to find the physical tomb, searching historians haven’t been able to confirm the exact location.

David Collins is remembered as the founder of Hobart and the colony with the naming of Collins Street in Hobart and the suburb of Collinsvale.