Searching for clues and details of the infamous convict tramway at Port Arthur in Tasmania. Instagram / angusthornett Twitter / angusthornett LinkTree linktr.ee/angu...
My grandmother's family lived at Newman's Creek. She told me once that she could remember the "convict huts for the tramway" still standing at Taranna. She would have seen them about a century ago, long after they'd stopped being used for their original purpose. I can't ask her any more about it, as she's no longer with us, and neither is my father! So it's just an anecdote of an eye-witness account of some remnants that had somehow survived half a century.
I’m 56 and remember as a child of around 12 going on a tour to Port Arthur and being told on the way of this tramway (and also the hungry dogs they had tied at the neck of the peninsula close together to stop any convicts getting off).
How absolutely fascinating. I well remember learning about the convict railway at school. When, as an adult, I first visited the Port Arthur area I expected to see its remains. But sadly there was nothing there. Keep up your excellent forensic work.
You know the only problem with your videos? They're not long enough I mean that in a good way, as I would have even more to enjoy. Please make them longer, pretty please? as I really enjoy learning more about the history of our beautiful Tassie. The fact you are not promoting music (which totally ruins the content) like others do, is a big plus for me. I can just focus on the story. Keep up the great work Angus. PS Give your pup a cuddle from me!
So interesting and beautifully composed Angus…your efforts always get the imagination going while being reminded of important historical facts that otherwise are lost in time…
Just as much of Van Diemen's Land's history is forever unknown and shrouded in mystery, pre-colonial history is too -- from Port Davey villages to northern ochre quarries, Derwent burials to highland trading, spirituality & folklore to petroglyphs, countless family histories to ancient climates unrecognisable.
Few people have that certain "it" factor in telling a story, the ability to totally capture the listener/viewer's attention. You have this in spades. Keep up the good work. I was wondering where you were going to go after covering Hobart. Will we see you on the mainland?
Thanks, mate. While the channel is slowly growing, it's not profitable yet. Perhaps over time it can grow. It may have potentially reached its potential audience already though.
@@angusthornett I'm in the other 10% and I've subscribed because I'm interested in what you present. And it's about how you present it, your presentational style, that is your X factor. I believe and you should believe that this 10% will grow with time. Don't limit yourself to Tasmania.
I've found this whole series so well done, we'll be in Hobart November '23 (from QLD) & this has given us lots and lots of different things to investigate while there... Well done Angus, thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge. Just one thing though, we need more!!
Another great video that has me fiddling around with Google maps. Abandoned railways do leave their mark, often only visible from above. Are there any records left of convict work assignments. I wonder if train pushing was seen as a promotion or a punishment.
Very Interesting. I knew about the Convict railway but thought it ran through the bush to Port Arthur. I would suspect that over the years and the many bushfires the vehicle and the tracks would have been destroyed. Interestingly my GGG Grandfather was a convict at Port Arthur and also Saltwater River. His trade was as a sawyer and so do not know if he actually worked in the mines or cut timber for various uses. It is such a shame that records of these types of things have been lost to time. My guess is that the Governments and the people wanted to forget about the convict heritage and so interest in preserving it waned.
That was fascinating as I had heard about the railway in For the Term of his Natural Life, but never really thought about where it might actually have been. Another great docco and loving your work. Many thanks
I wonder what information can be found about suicide cliff (the actual name) off the Golf course at Port Arthur, and the arrow carved into the rock below. Story I've heard is that was where the convicts worked out was the best part of the cliff to leap from.
@@angusthornett That would be cool! You have the best ways of highlighting the areas and then making them easy to understand with footage and description -- and dog. I wonder if we have hiking laws like Norway (or Scotland?) where you can traverse private land without permission (while observing common rules) on a walk.
You need to chat to lynton brown who recently moved from Norfolk Bay convict station, he's a wealth of knowledge and has a mass amout of documents. He's now down franklin. Also laurie tatnell who owns the open museum. Also the land owner out Saltwater River who owns all those old buildings, contact via Tiger Bay retreat. I'm a local also
I read about this and just didn't go been everywhere else down there uploaded a few myself last few weeks nothing special as in editing wise but hey it's all history that counts 🙂
my nan's brother used to live very close to actual path of that wharf inn (only now i have discovered your channel) surname was Nichols. i think the house used to be blue way way way back when i was a lil kid in the late 70/80's but has now been replaced with something modern.
Every discovery , no matter how small helps rebuild the history, and from that the truth. Great piece. You must be proud.
Cheers, Danny. Always more to find.
Fantastic, "Hey babe wake up, another Angus Thornett Tassie history video just dropped!"
Lol
Brilliant stuff. Anyone born in Hobart would have many memories of the Peninsula. Cheers Dog and Angus!
Dog 'n' Angus
Cheers again, Rod. Thanks for championing the channel.
I wouldn’t think you could still see that dent in the earth so well from the supposed rail line from above. Great stuff Angus!
They're all over the place, if you look carefully.
My grandmother's family lived at Newman's Creek. She told me once that she could remember the "convict huts for the tramway" still standing at Taranna. She would have seen them about a century ago, long after they'd stopped being used for their original purpose. I can't ask her any more about it, as she's no longer with us, and neither is my father!
So it's just an anecdote of an eye-witness account of some remnants that had somehow survived half a century.
Another great video Angus.
Tassie showing off her beauty 😀👍
Cheers, Dave. Thanks for watching.
Wonderful research, Angus! We are in awe of your efforts once again. Love your work
Thanks, mate. Thanks for always watching.
Keep up the good work, mate. Top shelf storyteller and historian.
Thanks, mate. Cheers.
Fantastic video mate..👍👍
Thanks, Allan.
Great research Angus. I once lived in a house in Hobart made from sandstone from Port Arthur. Love to Harry!
Cheers, thanks for watching.
I’m 56 and remember as a child of around 12 going on a tour to Port Arthur and being told on the way of this tramway (and also the hungry dogs they had tied at the neck of the peninsula close together to stop any convicts getting off).
That must be The Dog Lune near Pirates Bay.
It was grim place.
How absolutely fascinating. I well remember learning about the convict railway at school. When, as an adult, I first visited the Port Arthur area I expected to see its remains. But sadly there was nothing there.
Keep up your excellent forensic work.
Brilliant story, well told. Thanks Angus. Love the lazy opening flyover shot. You re achieving top 4K quality. Love you work. phillip
Cheers, Phillip
Fascinating. I'll pay those places a visit next time I'm there. Thanks.
Good stuff, Marcus.
This was one of your most fascinating episodes (& there have been some brilliant ones). I’d love to know more about Port Arthur and the convict era.
Thank you, Gail.
Great video... always look forward to the new one coming out and I know I'm going to learn something cool :-)
Cheers, Tristan.
You know the only problem with your videos? They're not long enough I mean that in a good way, as I would have even more to enjoy.
Please make them longer, pretty please? as I really enjoy learning more about the history of our beautiful Tassie.
The fact you are not promoting music (which totally ruins the content) like others do, is a big plus for me. I can just focus on the story.
Keep up the great work Angus.
PS Give your pup a cuddle from me!
That was really interesting. Thanks for another great video.
Thank for watching, Shevaun.
So interesting and beautifully composed Angus…your efforts always get the imagination going while being reminded of important historical facts that otherwise are lost in time…
Angus, yr best work yet, well done.
Harry seems to be coming along quite nicely.
Cheers, Ian. He's a good dog.
Just as much of Van Diemen's Land's history is forever unknown and shrouded in mystery, pre-colonial history is too -- from Port Davey villages to northern ochre quarries, Derwent burials to highland trading, spirituality & folklore to petroglyphs, countless family histories to ancient climates unrecognisable.
Interesting topics.
Few people have that certain "it" factor in telling a story, the ability to totally capture the listener/viewer's attention. You have this in spades. Keep up the good work. I was wondering where you were going to go after covering Hobart. Will we see you on the mainland?
Thanks, mate. While the channel is slowly growing, it's not profitable yet. Perhaps over time it can grow. It may have potentially reached its potential audience already though.
@@angusthornett film it and they will come. It's early days.
@@mojogaucho 90% of interest is from people located in Tasmania. Tasmania is a small market.
@@angusthornett I'm in the other 10% and I've subscribed because I'm interested in what you present. And it's about how you present it, your presentational style, that is your X factor. I believe and you should believe that this 10% will grow with time. Don't limit yourself to Tasmania.
@@angusthornett yes I’m in the other 10% as well. I’m in Victoria but love history.
Still the best rail infrastructure in the state. Great video mate, thank you for it.
Those poor buggers having to push that thing 😢. Fascinating again Angus and Dog 🤗👏
Very interesting.. Imagine riding in this all them years ago.
Z man in the house!
Another great video, I'm really starting to catch the Tasmanian History bug. Finding myself sharing little tidbits I learn here to mates!
Thanks, Zachary. Glad you've been getting something out of them.
Wow. Great investigation. How fascinating would it be to go back and see these things as they really happened.
Another great video, very informative, keep up the great work.
Thank you for continuing to watch.
Fascinating ! Please keep up your great work buddy 👍
Thanks, mate. We shall see.
That's amazing...
It is, Jennifer.
I've found this whole series so well done, we'll be in Hobart November '23 (from QLD) & this has given us lots and lots of different things to investigate while there...
Well done Angus, thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge. Just one thing though, we need more!!
Love this. So tantalising
Thanks, Catriona.
Well presented. Great job!
Another great video that has me fiddling around with Google maps. Abandoned railways do leave their mark, often only visible from above. Are there any records left of convict work assignments. I wonder if train pushing was seen as a promotion or a punishment.
If only the period had been well documented.
They were called train gangs & yes it was a punishment & yes the cat of nine tails was used!
@@christinajames9404 Thanks for that.
Very Interesting. I knew about the Convict railway but thought it ran through the bush to Port Arthur. I would suspect that over the years and the many bushfires the vehicle and the tracks would have been destroyed. Interestingly my GGG Grandfather was a convict at Port Arthur and also Saltwater River. His trade was as a sawyer and so do not know if he actually worked in the mines or cut timber for various uses. It is such a shame that records of these types of things have been lost to time. My guess is that the Governments and the people wanted to forget about the convict heritage and so interest in preserving it waned.
All these little stories bring that era to life. Another great episode Angus 👏👍🏽❤️
Absolutely fascinating Angus!
That was fascinating as I had heard about the railway in For the Term of his Natural Life, but never really thought about where it might actually have been. Another great docco and loving your work. Many thanks
Very cool Angus. I was totally unaware of this subject, so thanks for bringing it up mate.
Great video. Thanks 👍
I wonder what information can be found about suicide cliff (the actual name) off the Golf course at Port Arthur, and the arrow carved into the rock below. Story I've heard is that was where the convicts worked out was the best part of the cliff to leap from.
Knowledge is out there
Another great video Angus. Does the dog have a name?
Thanks, David. The dog is called Harry.
I was just thinking about the Bellerive-Sorell tramway, nice.
Bring the railways back...! A potential poverty-buster for freedom of movement
I've wanted to do a video on that topic. All the most interesting parts on private land now though.
@@angusthornett That would be cool! You have the best ways of highlighting the areas and then making them easy to understand with footage and description -- and dog.
I wonder if we have hiking laws like Norway (or Scotland?) where you can traverse private land without permission (while observing common rules) on a walk.
If you do a search you will also find there was another railway from Port Arthur to Eaglehawk Neck for a distance of 12 miles.
Love the enigmatic ending ...
You need to chat to lynton brown who recently moved from Norfolk Bay convict station, he's a wealth of knowledge and has a mass amout of documents. He's now down franklin. Also laurie tatnell who owns the open museum. Also the land owner out Saltwater River who owns all those old buildings, contact via Tiger Bay retreat. I'm a local also
Great again!!!
Amazing history
Nice video. Is it possible that the rail at Saltwater was used to transport coal to Port Arthur via Taranna?
definately not convict construction with welded angle iron frame , nice video cheers
You should see if you can find the old tunnels at new Norfolk that go to willow court i think that they are still there but i dont know
I read about this and just didn't go been everywhere else down there uploaded a few myself last few weeks nothing special as in editing wise but hey it's all history that counts 🙂
Thanks, mate. Yep, more people should make Tasmanian content on UA-cam.
@@angusthornett nah just us fuck the rest 😂😉😎👍🍻🙂🤣
@@angusthornett PS....have you seen forgotten Tasmania channel?
Come on you're been a bit slack lately, time for another one
my nan's brother used to live very close to actual path of that wharf inn (only now i have discovered your channel) surname was Nichols. i think the house used to be blue way way way back when i was a lil kid in the late 70/80's but has now been replaced with something modern.