Black Snake

[@angusthornett]

All people still wanting calendars should order now to get delivery before Christmas. They'll be posted delivered soon. www.etsy.com/shop/thenandnowhobart?ref=dashboard-header

[@MicahLambert]

Hey Angus, any chance those tshirts are coming back?

[@angusthornett]

If you DM on Instagram I may be able to get you one. @@MicahLambert

[@leandabee]

Looking forward to getting mine 🤗

[@lanceduke3522]

Mate where you stood at the end of the clip behind the old servo, was all under ground cells where the convicts lived, I grew up on the hill beside the caravan park and watched them fill in the tunnels and cells in early 80’s.

[@bmw_m140i_aus7]

I hope they moved the convicts out before they were filled in...

[@lanceduke3522]

@@bmw_m140i_aus7no they left the convict skeletons in place a 120 years after they died 🤡

[@angusthornett]

I'm not disputing what you saw. It's a shame there aren't better photo records of such things. Back before digital photos a lot of things just weren't recorded.

[@ihjcmaccrimmon]

Great work, thanks. The train and many others were removed due to the hazards of rusting steel work and sharp exposed edges. And, with the rusting, asbestos lagging around the boilers became a problem. I loved to play on this train, and still miss seeing it.

[@fixxundfertig]

That makes sense. Is that also the case with those that were at Tynwald Park in Norfick and in West Hobart? They were the best playgrounds.

[@peterbateman8018]

I loved the restraint you displayed around the removal of an actual steam-train, that was replaced with a tonka-toy. The world, these days……

[@angusthornett]

Ha

[@jessicahalliday22]

Fascinating! I've never noticed the Black Snake Inn while crossing that bridge. Now I'll definitely pay attention. I hope there is some sort of restoration once the Bridge works are complete. This is a great video. I really respect how you view convicts as victims in the building of these historical places, whereas others can see them as criminals who were getting what they deserve. I can't even imagine how awful it must have been to have lived in those times. Thank you for seeing them all as human beings and not just the label history has assigned to them.

[@angusthornett]

Convict transportation was done purely to generate free labour when the English Government was settling Australia. It had nothing at all to with their prisons being full. That line was propaganda.

[@ninitech6230]

Great video, thanks. It reminded me of the tragic ferry accident that happened at Black Snake in 1818. The ferry was overloaded and capized. 12 passengers drowned, including my ancestor, 6 year old Isabella Williams. So sad.

[@angusthornett]

Hard times.

[@mcrazza]

On a recent trip to Bridgewater with my 74-year-old father he recalled a little story from his father as a kid about being warned he would be sent to the Watch House if he was caught misbehaving. This must have been as far back as the 1910s. The original purpose of the Watch House had long ceased but its memory still existed.

[@dsf427]

Love hearing the history of tassie. So much but known only by a few. You should have been a history teacher with the dog as your assistant

[@angusthornett]

I wouldn't be a good teacher. I'll stick to KZbin.

[@TheVeganTravelShow]

We love how much old stuff is still left standing in Tassie. Where I’m from they bulldozed a historic hut to put up an intersection. Not many people would remember that hut anymore.

[@leahrosevear4160]

Appreciate learning more about my home state Angus. I can only imagine the extremely hard life of the convicts who made the causeway.

[@tdub5899]

Another thought provoking video. Well done.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@MatthewHarrold]

I remember that train, you captured my younger brothers house twice with your excellent drone footage, he has a perch above the new bridge construction. Another excellent bit of Tassie history. Thanks mate. $0.02

[@leandabee]

I really liked your light sarcasm with the mention of the 'dangerous' train at the park and the poor excuse that replaced it😅🤭🤦🏼‍♀️ . It's fascinating seeing the area from the air. Great work again 👏 👍

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@catrionahall8435]

So glad it is still there, it has fascinated me ever since I came here to live many years ago. Thank you for giving it some attention and filling in its history.

[@kyleroberts2651]

True Agnus, that approach to Hobart does exude an indifferent an unsure sense of place.

[@angusthornett]

It'll likely feel rather different when the new bridge is completed.

[@carrier411]

there aren't even any 'WELCOME TO HOBART" Signs are there? I can't recall if there are, but it's certainly a different vista and atmosphere coming in via the Bridgewater bridge rather than the Tasman bridge entrance into Hobart!

[@xyfalcon66]

I hope you do Pontville and Brighton such rich Tasmanian history

[@angusthornett]

Potentially.

[@TheCornish123456]

Spent a month odd touring around Tassie in 2009 found it to be the most interesting part of Australia. Have been binge watching your fascinating videos. Was mostly there for the nature now wish i had paid more attention to the human interest element.

[@angusthornett]

Social history is, generally speaking, an under-examined area of world culture.

[@kellimaher3866]

Hi Angus Kelli here thank you so much for the photo with my partner the other week his name is Les you met him at Lutana Woodlands I absolutely love the photo we are going to get it framed can't wait for your next video

[@kellimaher3866]

Would you like a copy of the photo it turned out really really good😊

[@angusthornett]

Was good to have a yarn. You guys could make videos about detecting.

[@johorgan7640]

Kia Ora from N.Z. Great video. The Causeway is very much part of Tasmania's history - and Australia. Built, as you said, by convicts with only shovels, pick axes and wheelbarrows, quarrying the stone in the hill behind the buildings that are still there today. Punishment - for whatever reason - to be put in a 'cell' so small that you could only stand up. How many people travel over the Causeway and have absolutely no idea of its history. As you come across the bridge from Brighton, the white double storied house on the hill - slightly to the right - was the overseers house I understand. Single storied dwelling at the time of the Causeway being built. My daughter-in-law's Grandfather farmed just passed the Causeway on the New Norfolk road. The buildings and quarry always fascinated me on my trips to Tasmania. Knew there was a story to be told there. When the new bridge is completed let's hope that the powers that be leave the causeway as a tribute to those who built it.

[@nicholasgunson2945]

Causeway is heritage listed so has to stay. Also digging it up would be an environmentally poor decision as it traps a lot of crap in the water from going upstream to new Norfolk.

[@johorgan7640]

@@nicholasgunson2945 - that is great to read it is heritage listed 👍👍👍👍👍

[@thefmi5209]

Love your videos... great insight. Dog is super too.

[@angusthornett]

The dog outshining me.

[@marper72]

That Train you speak of is now at the Don River Railway 👍

[@corinnecoombs2956]

I look forward to seeing them both renovated and turned into fabulous cafes or restaurants. Something people can access and enjoy. Good on you Angus

[@diannerowley9358]

Always wanted that house at Black snake lane. Gee your dog has grown so sweet.

[@angusthornett]

He’s a good dog.

[@diannerowley9358]

@@angusthornett He must have a good owner then.

[@waratah5422]

The hard times the workers endured is what helped Tasmania achieve it's statis that is so full of history that we should never forget our beginning

[@angusthornett]

If people are interested it's available to examine.

[@jennifercrawley6795]

I also love your restraint Angus. I had no idea of most of the history of Black Snake. Why would the Government not make more of this historic site?

[@angusthornett]

These things cost money. And it's of limited interest to most people. The historic sites that get best preserved tend to be the ones turned into tourist attractions, like Port Arthur. That's generally true across the globe.

[@rodericklohrey1746]

The Black Snake Inn was in private ownership. The recent owner's large collection of antique Huon pine furniture is on permanent display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart. I often detoured from the highway to admire that fine old inn. For many years a 1930s car was parked behind the inn, from a distance it may have been an Alvis, a beautiful and expensive vehicle.

[@vman7321]

Very interesting, I feel a connection to that area, as an 8th Gen Convict “stiock” Rowbottom’s Rd is around the corner my family name, unknown if I’m connected to the naming, but I like to think somehow I am

[@tomgoodful]

My wife's 4x great grand father was forced to work the quarry. A great video Angus.

[@angusthornett]

Hard yakka.

[@rushmorebig]

Thanks for your efforts. Lots of old & sad convict energy in the area.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@NoName-ds5uq]

The old watch house used to sell fishing supplies when it was a servo too. I also remember playing on that locomotive in Granton and another one in Stanley as a kid. I had no idea about the Black Snake Inn though. I’ve seen it so many times and wondered, but never found out until now. That’s now obvious why there’s a Black Snake Road in Granton. It’s funny that we don’t have Black Snakes in Tassie though! Just Tiger Snakes and Lowland Copperheads which are usually black here(you usually need to get close enough to see the head scales to differentiate 🤣), along with a few White Lipped Snakes. Thank you Angus!

[@georgeburrows9807]

Black snakes are tiger snakes

[@angusthornett]

Thanks for watching, mate.

[@TheCornish123456]

Went on a hike on Burnie Island and had plenty of close encounters with black snakes, never got close enough to see what kind of lippy they had on...

[@CheekyKoala]

Wow! I’d forgotten about the old train at Granton!! I also had no idea that they we’re finally replacing the old bridge!! (Nearly 6 years since I left Tasmania)

[@carokat1111]

Really interesting. Thank you.

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@nathandarwin7160]

My friend owned that property. Last time I was inside the bottom floor was gutted and the upstairs was in disrepair. This was about 7 years ago

[@georgeburrows9807]

Strange I don’t remember your name or your visit

[@nathandarwin7160]

@@georgeburrows9807 I came around a few times with John.

[@georgeburrows9807]

John ? 0:38

[@georgeburrows9807]

Ooh sorry Nathan yes I remember you now, it’s sad about the death of John, I miss his sarcastic commentary greatly How’s life with you ? Where are you ? What are you doing ?

[@nathandarwin7160]

@@georgeburrows9807 hi George. I wasn't aware John had passed away. That is sad news, he will be missed. Life has changed a lot for me over the last 3 years but I'm doing OK. I hope they are not taking to much of your land building that bridge. Take care George.

[@shelleyoreilly3047]

Fantastic as always!

[@alanyt2000]

Thanks

[@angusthornett]

Thanks you very much, mate. It’s a big help for the channel. I’ve got a new video on the abandoned Apsley train line coming out this Sunday.

[@alanyt2000]

@@angusthornett Don't mention it, mate. This is amazing work, and much appreciated.

[@GavinSadewasser]

Oh wow, it looks so very different now from when I moved there in 1969 as a 5 year old with mum and dad, we collected our mail from the train station and yes,we did very much enjoy playing on the train, we went to the park and watched them put it there.

[@angusthornett]

Will look different again when the new bridge is completed.

[@TheJoolz81]

That Watchhouse (Granton servo) had a Convict Museum. There was a mannequin dressed as a convict and as a kid i reached out and touched it, on doing so it gave me a static shock, i ran screaming from the building and jumped in the car and never went back in there again. I did however still played on and climbed all over that train that was in the playground, which also had an old school spiral slide, that I used to go flying off the edge of.

[@angusthornett]

Ha. Playgrounds were objectively better then.

[@vandiemenskol]

Good work and keep it up.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@julzdalton1746]

I remember the train and the convict museum. Is the building privately owned? It would be wonderful to see it reopen as a tourist attraction again. Thanks again for another interesting video.

[@AustralianRadioindie]

Cheers for the historical lessons

[@cloudstreet8214]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@angusthornett]

Thank you.

[@SuePeppiatt-ws7wb]

It was a fantastic park back when the engine was there. Not used much anymore

[@Guvna947]

I'd been wondering about that building. I live in Maydena and would really like it if you did a story on our town.

[@angusthornett]

Perhaps in the future.

[@Guvna947]

@@angusthornett that would be great.

[@willdurand4026]

hey angus i was wondering if you would be able to do a video on the structural remains up on knocklofty, would be interesting to know what they were

[@angusthornett]

If you're wondering about that square bit on concrete that's the remains of an earlier smaller reservoir that was replaced with the big one now.

[@paulwilson6250]

I had an elderly man a while back tell me that at one stage It was a zoo as such and they used to have seals there. Not sure as to how accurate that is though!

[@blackdogRexy]

I definitely remember going to a zoo there in the 70s. Its funny but the animals I remember most were the Cape Barren Geese they had there.

[@blackdogRexy]

I just weirdly remember it was called Woodburn or something similar.

[@leandabee]

It is true. It was called the Woodville zoo, I went there once or twice 😊

[@pmacgowan]

Another great video Angus, by the way I remember looking for fossils in that query on a Geology excursion

[@angusthornett]

Did you find any?

[@pmacgowan]

Yes trilobites @@angusthornett

[@robinadderley6755]

The locomotive was put into the park on a temporary track across the road, I can remember being held up there in the car while they did it.

[@angusthornett]

What year do you reckon it was?

[@Paganitzu]

​@@angusthornett 20 May 1973. I have in my possession a silent black and white video of the maneuver.

[@angusthornett]

You should post it.@@Paganitzu

[@Paganitzu]

@@angusthornett I'm not sure I'd be allowed. The video comes from the Archive Office of Tasmania. They would have copyright over it.

[@lukebremner159]

librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/tas/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fARCHIVES_ITEMS$002f0$002fARCHIVES_ITE_DIX:NS1757-1-1/one?qu=20&qu=May&qu=1973&qf=FORMAT_LINCTAS%09Format%09film%09film The archives have the footage but it doesn't look like it has been digitized, or at least isn't available on their official you tube channel.

[@rynorx7]

Great video! Do you know anything about the old homestead further up black snake rd that was demolished for the new bridge? I was devastated when i saw it get knocked down 😢

[@angusthornett]

Perhaps something I'll cover in the future. The heritage authorities did recommend that it be saved.

[@AmandaWard-f6g]

Hi Angus I have passed by that bridge and building many times and didn't even give it a thought as to how it got there. I like the title of your newest mini documentary 'black snake'. I think it's an appropriate name for that wetland. At least when people are visiting the area it might remind them to be on the lookout for those venomous reptiles. Next time I am passing the old convict building I shall say a little thankyou for all the pain people endured. We just all take things for granted these days. I wonder what they made of all the black swans in that stretch of the river. I am told the English only knew of white swans. When they saw black one's here they knew they were in hell. Sounds like they were.... Say hi to dog for me. From Amanda

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Amanda. The dog said hello back.

[@grahamwood156]

I had a small average up Black Snake lane we loved it

[@Paganitzu]

The steam locomotive you mention in the video (MA1) hasn't gone far. It's up the road at the New Norfolk Station, the base of the dormant Derwent Valley Railway. A subject of a future video perhaps?

[@angusthornett]

Potentially.

[@TassieDIY]

I remember playing on that train at the park when I was a child in the early 90s And now I know why the train was there! Haha awesome video mate 🤙

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. Train in playgrounds are great.

[@timlyall2061]

They sure are, and an icon in very many WA country towns, growing up in the 50's and '60's. As covered by an earlier comment, there too they pointedly disappeared around the '90's under council duty of care considerations. Of note though it's only been quite recently that Tasmania's own town of Perth has replaced their loco with a smaller, less "dangerous" version. As newcomers to the island, (only 20 yrs) we often reflect what an additional asset it would be if there were more train journeys available like the West Coaster. Going to watch more of your work now Angus, though I suspect it's more a labour of love to you, making it all the more enjoyable to we followers! 😀@@angusthornett

[@jadesmith6823]

Brilliant 👍

[@angusthornett]

Thank you, Jade.

[@moibenson4616]

As I recall...Quite some ago when I was an Army, I posted to Hobart, we had an occasion to be near the abanded location; an old timer (then!) mentioned that during WW11 it was also a "house of ill repute"-not that I know anything about such questionable establishments of course...

[@stephengeorge7510]

Caught some really good sea run trout off that causeway of a night.

[@fredeverett4340]

Great vlog Angus. It used to be a pleasant mile from Granton to the old lime kilns. Now it looks like a dog’s dinner and I expect it will remain so. What is the future of the old causeway for the Bridgewater bridge?

[@stripeyhorse]

great video mate. i lived in claremont and used to ride my bike in blacksnake lane and around granton. never knew about the name..

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate. That area looked so different even back in the 80s and 90s.

[@bigears4014]

A beautiful property left to deteriorate , I wonder what the government has planned for it , sell it to a friend for $1

[@georgeburrows9807]

It’s most likely the government will sell it again after the bridge is completed Hopefully to some with the time, money and enthusiasm to renovate it

[@bigm383]

I guess geographical location killed anyone’s desire to preserve that beautiful Gothic house. Compare it with Stoke House in North Hobart, beautifully preserved, heritage listed and regarded a the finest example of Gothic architecture in Australia. May be worth a video! Thanks for the video!

[@angusthornett]

Thanks, mate.

[@blackdogRexy]

Its amazing how often you would see an old steam train as part of a playground when growing up in the 60s and 70s in Tassie. You almost never see them nowadays.

[@angusthornett]

I believe the one at Deloraine is the last one. It's covered in fencing so you can't really play on it. There's one at Margate but that's not a public playground.

[@AVMamfortas]

You are fast becoming a State Treasure.

[@angusthornett]

Overly generous.

[@AVMamfortas]

@@angusthornett Hmmmm. Perhaps. But I do not know of anyone else that makes such personal, meticulous and educational local history as you do. You 'show' Tasmania so well.

[@kyleroberts2651]

These buildings need to be saved and repurposed so they have living history.

[@CheekyKoala]

For those of us who no longer live in Tassie, could you give us a better look at where the new bridge is going in please😘😘

[@angusthornett]

Ask Google

[@woofdoggy1236]

Thanks. The past is disappearing quick.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

the entire nation is 😳

[@angusthornett]

Everything is always changing. All buildings will eventually be gone.

[@woofdoggy1236]

Yea I say that to myself when I see a new subdivision. I used to stop occasionally and look at that building and never realised. That it was the one and only Black snake. Forget the stories that were attached to it. But maybe Cash hung out there for a while

[@carrier411]

is this a new bridge that will sit alongside the existing one to increase traffic flow ? or is the current one going to close? I used to live in Hobart, left in 2020, so I find your videos very interesting. 😀👏

[@dragonfly_86]

Our convict history and what happened to the Aboriginals is so sad. It wasn't all that long ago either :(

[@nicholasgunson2945]

Mostly forgotten too.

[@naomipurdy7045]

Only a handful of generations.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

⁠transportation was literally human trafficking.. some reports say that 20% of convicts where boys aged between 11 and 14. obviously not something that the powers that be want Australians to be aware of..

[@hawthorngrove3629]

I played on the old train as a kid, as did some of my children

[@bigears4014]

Another family that this bridge has plagued is the owners of cypress grove, everything that they owned is now gone ,other than one tree

[@angusthornett]

Sounds difficult for those involved.

[@janinecollins938]

Some of my ancestors use to live here and own it back in the day

[@pippacarron1861]

"Many more men could drink than read". Though it wasn't reading that eventually emptied the pubs, but rather television. "The dog's acting as foreman ..." Hilarious!. Sad about the train engine.

[@georgeburrows9807]

It’s amazing how over the years anyone from this guy to noted history writers including teachers of history at UTAS can incorporate so many errors into their narratives All they had to do was contact me and I could have given a well research narrative and put them in touch with the official historian and painstaking researcher my mate Dan Cerchi for a fully documented history Sadly not much about other the places mentioned are very accurate either But there you go I’m only commenting because I was the longest owner ever of this Black Snake Inn, nearly 55 years before the government gave me little choice but to sell to them after they substantially changed the plans for the roadworks associated with the replacement bridge

[@WascallyWabbitt]

I drive past there multiple times daily George (Metro) It always amazed me that the remnants of the stumps of the ferry wharf (all be it sticks) are still visible at low tide.

[@angusthornett]

Someone in your position is capable of writing their own perspective, on this subject and others.

[@georgeburrows9807]

⁠@@angusthornett yes indeed and it has been written in great and well researched detail I feel this accurate publication is adequate and thus sufficient Over the years there have been other material that is available about the Inn, the replica ferry boat and the important Huon Pine furniture collection These materials are available for sharing, just for the asking, but unfortunately writers, producers and academics rarely bother to go to a living resource ( 55 years ownership ) and thus avail themselves to access of the detailed documented private publication which has been regularly updated over the last 40 or so years That experience and knowledge extends more widely than just the Black Snake Inn and even involved the building of a replica of the type of ferry boat used here called the Ramping Lion now part of the Tasmanian Maritime Museum collection It also includes the story of the creation of the largest collection of Colonial Huon Pine furniture once used on an everyday basis at the Black Snake Inn and now an extremely important part of Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery collection and incidentally the largest collection of Huon Pine furniture in the world and many items can be viewed at the museum and associated sites Private collectors enthusiasts are very happy to share knowledge and experience and feel satisfied with their contributions to history, culture etc without excessive exposure

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@georgeburrows9807i would be interested in learning more.. maybe you guys could revisit the site together.. possibly there’s still opportunity for a “part 2” .

[@stephendaft9547]

The place of accommodation became a petrol station for many years

[@Vivianblue.]

Not that long ago Black Snake Inn was for sale along with the parcel of land and a retro house which any Tom, Dick or Harriet could purchase or was that just all bulldust and fairytales to cover-up some secret already done deal behind the scenes... 🤔

[@georgeburrows9807]

No deal was done, the government made it difficult to sell privately because it was subject to the provisions of Project of State Significance

[@rynorx7]

Is it true that Charles Darwin visited the inn?

[@georgeburrows9807]

Yes

[@tanethomas]

You’d know a thing or two about that, wouldn’t you, George? 😂

[@georgeburrows9807]

@@angusthornett he would have had his drink in the building that is still there, which was completed 1832/33

[@SteveMack]

[@angusthornett]

Cheers, Steve.

[@SuePeppiatt-ws7wb]

This lot bull dozed the train line…but are meant to be putting back?

[@angusthornett]

Train isn’t coming back. Gone ten years ago.

[@chrishill6276]

The previous owner let it deteriorate

[@SuePeppiatt-ws7wb]

It was a fantastic park back when the engine was there. Not used much anymore