29 June 2023, continued...
For the last hour or more, the bright weather had turned gloomy, and it has been drizzling steadily. We are comfortable in the car, but as soon as we step out at our destination, the chill wind hits us in the face. Mercifully, we are wearing weatherproof clothing, and after the initial shock, we carry on with our exploration of Port Arthur.
Port Arthur Historic Site (PAHS) is, to put it simply, a historic jail! Much like the Andamans, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site was once a brutal penal settlement, where convicts endured harsh conditions. The only difference was, the British jailed their own nasty citizens here, while they incarcerated Indians at the Andamans.
Numerous historically significant structures can be seen, that provide insights into the history of the penal colony and the lives of convicts and settlers who lived there. Some of the relevant structures at the PAHS, visible behind us in the next picture, are:
The
Penitentiary is one of the most prominent buildings at the site. The Penitentiary was once a three-storey structure that housed hundreds of convicts in separate cells. It was the heart of the penal settlement, and today, visitors can explore its ruins and learn about the harsh conditions endured by convicts.
The Separate Prison was designed to implement a system of punishment and reform. It featured individual cells where convicts were kept in solitary confinement, often in silence and darkness. The idea was to encourage reflection and reform, but it was also extremely psychologically taxing. The
Commandant's House was the residence of the commandant, the person in charge of the penal settlement. It is a well-preserved Georgian-style building that offers insights into the lifestyle of the colony's administrators. The
Convict Church, also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, is a beautiful sandstone building that served as the place of worship for both convicts and free settlers. It stands as a testament to the efforts to provide spiritual solace to those living at Port Arthur. The
Asylum, also known as the Hospital, was a facility for convicts suffering from mental illness or physical ailments. It provides insights into the medical care provided in the colony.
To the left of the picture above are:
Penal Settlement Dockyard: This was where ships were built, repaired and maintained. It's a reminder of the colony's maritime activities and the importance of the sea for transportation and trade.
Point Puer Boys' Prison, located on an island across the harbour from the main site, housed juvenile male convicts. The prison's ruins and structures offer insights into the lives of young offenders in the colonial era.
The
Port Arthur Cemetery, on the Isle of the Dead, adjacent to the Point Puer, is where many convicts and free settlers were buried. It contains approximately 1100 graves, and provides a sombre reflection of the lives lost at the settlement.
Included in the ticket price is a boat ride to visit the Point Puer and Isle of the Dead, as well as a view of the dockyards from the water. This was what we set off to do first, and the video is self-explanatory, including captions of the guide's words. Long video, but worth watching till the end.
Back from the boat tour, we explore the main site, not necessarily in the sequence of the photos below.
A scale model showing the overview of the site as it existed in the 19th century
The map helps to orient the buildings better
View from the Commandant's House
Inside the three-storeyed Penitentiary building - the floors have gone, and only the external walls and windows remain.
Giant steel supports hold up the outer walls of the Penitentiary from the inside
Inside the Guard Tower
History lessons on plaques!
The persistent drizzle and cold winds have sapped our enthusiasm to explore in greater detail, and we head to the Visitor Centre to thaw out with a hot cup of coffee beside a crackling fireplace.
