History and mystery
21st January 2010 Port Arthur was chosen as the site for a prison settlement in September 1843, as a place for secondary punishment for convicts who had committed serious crimes in other settlements in Australia. Built by convict labour, gradually Port Arthur became a self-supporting industrial centre with convicts able to learn trades and contribute to this society. Our entrance fee included a guided walking tour and cruise around the inland harbour. We started our day with the walking tour where we learnt much more about the history of this impressive site. The regime was harsh, with convicts being subject to lashing with the cat’o nine tails for such things as insubordination. The belief was that work would grind the badness out of a man so there was a hard work routine also. However, convicts also had access to free education and all were taught to read and write and also taught trades so that they could make a contribution to society. For many of them, this was the first time they had had any sort of education. ...