Article by:
Monique La Terra
Early History
Port Arthur began as a small timber station in September 1830 and by 1833, it had evolved into a penal colony for the worst British convicts and repeat offenders, as well as juvenile offenders who were sent across the bay to Point Puer. Governor Arthur founded the settlement on the revolutionary idea that prisoners could be reformed through psychological punishment, trade training and religious education. Port Arthur was established as an industrial, self-sufficient settlement that relied on unpaid labour from prisoners. Some of the trades included collecting timber, shipbuilding and shoemaking. Located on a peninsula, the prison was advertised as inescapable with the surrounding waters rumoured to be shark infested and military personnel and guards dogs stationed at Eaglehawk Neck. Port Arthur was closed in 1877. Read the full travel article here.
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