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A little wet outside today, this gave me an opportunity to go through some shots from a trip around the Tasman Peninsula last June.
Coal Mines Historic Site, on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania.
The first operational mine in Tasmania, after an outcrop of coal was discovered at Plunkett Point by surveyors in 1833. The first shipment of coal left the mine on 5 June 1834. By 1843 there were 579 prisoners here, with 27 soldier guards, 35 civilian supervisors and administrators, 14 of their wives and 90 children.
A pair of two-storey blocks containing 108 separate apartments was built to try to prevent what official reports called ‘the most horrid offence’, homosexual activity. It was suspected at every convict station, but at the Coal Mines most of all because of the type of men who were sent here. They were regarded as hopelessly corrupt, and their work meant that it was very difficult to supervise them at all times. Despite no evidence to justify this panic officials remained convinced that drastic action was needed. Under these separate apartments are 36 stone and brick solitary cells, enclosed by a high wall. Men under punishment might spend as many as 30 days in one of these cells.
The coal mines were subsequently closed by the government in 1848 on both ‘moral and financial grounds’.
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Canon 6D, Canon 24-105 F/4L
35mm, f/19, 1/8sec, ISO100
Hoya CPL
__________________________
Coal Mines Historic Site, on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania.
The first operational mine in Tasmania, after an outcrop of coal was discovered at Plunkett Point by surveyors in 1833. The first shipment of coal left the mine on 5 June 1834. By 1843 there were 579 prisoners here, with 27 soldier guards, 35 civilian supervisors and administrators, 14 of their wives and 90 children.
A pair of two-storey blocks containing 108 separate apartments was built to try to prevent what official reports called ‘the most horrid offence’, homosexual activity. It was suspected at every convict station, but at the Coal Mines most of all because of the type of men who were sent here. They were regarded as hopelessly corrupt, and their work meant that it was very difficult to supervise them at all times. Despite no evidence to justify this panic officials remained convinced that drastic action was needed. Under these separate apartments are 36 stone and brick solitary cells, enclosed by a high wall. Men under punishment might spend as many as 30 days in one of these cells.
The coal mines were subsequently closed by the government in 1848 on both ‘moral and financial grounds’.
_________________________
Canon 6D, Canon 24-105 F/4L
35mm, f/19, 1/8sec, ISO100
Hoya CPL
__________________________
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