Port Arthur: Australia's Infamous Penal Colony

[@geographicstravel]

Go to: curiositystream.thld.co/geogr... and use the code GEOGRAPHICS to save 25% off today, that's only $14.99 a year. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today's video!

[@khertzrojo5572]

fort drum in the philippines

[@SamOfChristendom]

Do they require the pinned comment too? Be nice to pin top comments from commenters

[@TahliaZ-b5m]

Great description

[@jonathanbeniston145]

I was lucky enough to go there a couple of years ago. Even after all the years being closed standing in the cell blocks was an earie experience like being surrounded by a thousand ghosts. What a truly unforgettable place. Would recommend to anyone. Plus Tasmania is beautiful.

[@norbitcleaverhook5040]

@Unknown User I find cemeteries quite calming too. Its the living that tend to make me uncomfortable

[@demonique7424]

Have you been since they re-built the exercise ’yards’? They were kept in such isolation.

[@jonathanbeniston145]

@@demonique7424 yes the who silent prison would be hell on earth all those years with no contact. Like being a millenial teenager.

[@theangryaustralian7624]

Tasmania is beautiful...Tasmanians however...

[@jonathanbeniston145]

@@theangryaustralian7624 didn't interact with many got to be honest we stopped at a side of a lake in a log cabin self catering only saw the shop guy and he was a normal woollies guy. Where you from man?

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:30 - Chapter 1 - In strange southern lands 4:55 - Chapter 2 - The inescapable prison 8:05 - Mid roll ads 9:35 - Chapter 3 - Too late for tall ships 13:20 - Chapter 4 - The panopticon 17:50 - Chapter 5 - End of an era - Chapter 6 -

[@Religion0]

You're doing God's work.

[@scuzzy1992]

As an aussie who has visited there I loved this. And I wanted to share a story I read there about a convict. This particular convict was a struggling actor and was convicted for stealing bread or something of the like. And was sent to port Arthur. He managed to escape and spent 2 weeks find a kangaroo killing it, skinning it then practicing to be a kangaroo. Once he mastered the act he hopped down the dog line (a stretch of man-made land connecting the port to the main part of tazzy). All the dogs on the line started going nuts. The guards shook it off as it was just a roo. Until one guard felt hungry and eyed off the roo. Very quickly that convict jumped up yelling please don't shoot. To think he would have made it if it wasn't for a hungry guard.

[@thegoobie1]

“To the land of Drop Bears.” A sign of a well researched report.

[@Amlaeuxrai]

Never been to the blue mountains have you mate?

[@falsealaska]

@@Amlaeuxrai it's a joke, bro 👍

[@Amlaeuxrai]

@@falsealaska nah mate... they're anything but a joke. Ive seen 'em with me own eyes. Vicious beasts.... if it weren't for me cat Cookie I'd have died by drop bear ambush years ago.

[@jemimairving8472]

I always thought that Drop Bears were more specific to NSW and QLD? I’m from VIC, and it seems to be more about Bunyips, Panthers and Tassie Tigers down here. Had never even heard of Drop Bears until the first time I went to the Blue Mountains.

[@jeffdroog]

Perfect,nonsense response.Two thumbs up 👍

[@TaliesenMada]

As brutal as my hometown's history was, thank you for the amazing episode and good use of Aussie slang.

[@AshLilburne]

Good use of Aussie slang? Lol when have you ever heard an actual Australian use the term drop bears?

[@rahulg2961]

@@AshLilburne fair enough but having watched Simon's other channels he got bogan, Timtams, dunny, blokes and shiela reference right.

[@BeeMcDee]

@@AshLilburne when we’re pulling someone’s leg. As Simon was doing here. 😂 He has the best sarcasm of anyone I watch on KZbin 😂

[@mgabrysSF]

@@AshLilburne On GameGrumps. Ross was fooling the crap out of his non AUS co-hosts with drop-bear lore. Quite common pastime by the sounds of it.

[@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956]

Was there 2 weeks ago, an amazing historical lesson, the Isle of the dead was incredible, I was there a year ago as well and took a pic of the main sight, I caught a shadow person in one of my many pics. Tasmania is where my family are from originally and after seeing the entire state how I long to live there, the most unpoluted and underpopulated place on earth, we are planning to live there soon

[@seafarerheart]

As a Tasmanian, it's great to see Port Arthur get the recognition it deserves.

[@MariaMulholland-y1v]

ex Tasmanian here - was wonderful to watch - moved to America from Lston 2018 had to visit Port Arthur as a school history excursion in the 1970s as a child

[@frenchys_prospecting]

I like how you only called him “the gunman” instead of mentioning his name therefore taking away his infamy.

[@Williestyle-RobotechxMacross-x]

Wish more channels would do that to "infamous criminals". No need to give those persons any promotion.

[@Giveme1goodreason]

I agree. People should mention the victims names not the scums. Bundy and Bryant and their ilk don’t deserve to be remembered. The victims on the other hand deserve to live on in memory the way they were robbed of in life.

[@dudleyhewett7211]

Absolutely. He wanted notoriety more than anything so best not to even mention his name

[@matthewcullen1298]

I had a friend who's friend was working in the old cafe that day. He came running in the front door and she ran out through the back door of the kitchen and hid in the bush. An absolutely terrible part of Australian history

[@RobertaFierro-mc1ub]

"That Monster" would also be appropriate.

[@cityraildude]

I was in Port Arthur yesterday. The tour guide told us that they sent convicts there because slavery was starting to be seen as a no-no by the British, so they needed somebody to do the physical labour of building the colony, hence the convicts, and what constituted a crime worthy of transportation was arbitrary and changed based on required demand for labour

[@The-D33J]

Loving the mention of Drop Bears, well played Simon

[@thattassiewargamer]

One of my favourite places. It has a somber, haunting atmosphere that stays with you long after you leave.

[@emilyarlington7586]

It's a strange place Port Arthur. Today it is extremely beautiful with breathtaking scenery. And then it hits you, your brain starts to process the uncountable atrocities and you feel small, insignificant and sad. Well done to your researchers and writer, they nailed it. And thank you for mentioning the Port Arthur massacre. That is something that all Australians still feel to this day and deserves a mention here, but rightly it's own video.

[@brettshea8623]

She'd a tad further than 31km from Hobart old mate...it's approximately 90 min drive..I'm a local 😁 fantastic video and series keep up the great work ✌️✌️👍👍

[@demonique7424]

I’ve visited this place as a tourist and as an archaeology student. All of it is hauntingly beautiful and you can feel the weight of history here, both brutal and homely. And sometimes see it too. More than one ghost encounter on the grounds and that was just me. Excavated part of one of those waterfront saw pits (only the upper layers), but amazing how many finds there are there.

[@ericjohnson8222]

Haha the word penal makes me chuckle because I'm a 5 year old trapped in a 31 year old body.

[@vulpesinculta3238]

Benis colonoscopy ;D ;D ;D

[@codyj1162]

A gargantuan exacerbated Pianist... Beat that! 😜

[@zaccomptonk590]

Pen15

[@johnnyrockmelon5514]

I’m sure there was quite a few penal thrashings dealt out in this hell hole.

[@danbaker5771]

Penile colonoscopy

[@heathergarnham9555]

If you are interested in more Australian ideas, I recommend the Beaconsfield Mine Collapse, it keep pretty much the entire nation on edge for over a week.

[@GoGWiz]

As an indigenous person from aus that ending made me cry so much

[@peterkirby1753]

Can I suggest an episode on Macquarie Harbour penal colony on Tasmania’s west coast which achieved a reputation as one of the harshest penal in Australia? Where its most infamous escapee was Alexander Pearce who managed to get away twice. On both occasions, he cannibalized his fellow escapees. Interesting reads: Clarke, Marcus (1892). For the Term of His Natural Life; and Hughes, Robert (c. 1986). The Fatal Shore. PS: Governor Franklin later was commander of the ill-fated expedition through the North-West passage on the ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. These two ships also visited Tasmania while he was Governor on their way to explore Antarctica. Apologies, I’ve found myself becoming a real nerd on this stuff.

[@MichaelSmith-so6pl]

Sarah Island makes Port Arthur look like a holiday camp!

[@ageofatheism6638]

Good call Les Hiddins ( The bush tucker man ) also has an episode called "the cannibal convict" where he travels in pearces footsteps.

[@Lumen_Obscurum]

One other thing to note is that the Port Arthur Massacre was the turning point for guns in Australia. While a tragic event it has saved countless lives since then, and in a way Port Arthur went from a place of terror to historical ruin, to a place where such a heinous act was committed that Australians declared "No more." and restricted gun ownership.

[@peterwilliams6289]

Yes, and in particular a ban on, and buy-back of, semi-automatic weapons - which has made Australia a safer place.

[@hehoosmeltitdeltit]

Thanks Morris for a penning a great episode on Port Arthur history. Very good foundation understanding before the (no doubt you have in progress) Casual Criminalist on the 1996 mass shooting. Excellent work! 👏

[@shatbad2960]

That was a VERY bizarre time. One incident involving someone unfit to hold a license and bye bye gun rights for all Ausies.

[@kallancarruthers2640]

@@shatbad2960 It should never have come to such a tragic event, but the cultural shift towards guns that followed was the best thing that could've happened for the Australian community as a whole. I've never been one to credit John Howard, but I respect the action that took place within weeks of this horrific indecent. Though I do believe that the lives of these innocent people should never have been lost in the beginning, in order for logical decisions to be made.

[@hehoosmeltitdeltit]

@@shatbad2960 That's too bad. I didn't realize this resulted in Australia banning all gun rights.

[@shatbad2960]

@@hehoosmeltitdeltit Not all gun rights, they don't have semi automatic weapons now. Basically, most of the fun ones are gone much like the UK....

[@negativeindustrial]

Do any of you think the lockdowns would have happened if the gun ownership laws were never affected after Port Arthur?

[@len_jet]

Thank you for making the 1996 massacre a fleeting mention, it was the catalyst in making Australia relatively gun free and where no such massacres have occurred since.

[@megancrager4397]

Nah, criminals just use other ways to k*ll people.

[@vindictaetmortem748]

Consider it was the first and only such modern massacre your correlation in not having one since your nation enacted fascist and communist style gun bans is false and irrelevant.

[@Definatalie]

I visited Port Arthur on a school trip a month after the massacre. It was absolutely chilling. I don't know why the school decided to go ahead with the visit but it was a lot for my 15 year old brain to comprehend, not just the incarceration and torture of the first prisoners but also that mass killing. There was a simple wooden cross erected at that time, the cafe was boarded up. We toured the ruins and listened to terrible stories. A grim day.

[@gothsloth]

Only a month?? That’s horrible.

[@Ssm19494]

Why would they take children there wtf

[@paulmarynissen]

Thank you for only briefly mentioning the 1996 incident and not mentioning any names, that is something most Australians want, the killer not to be remembered.

[@suzanneknibb3501]

Pt Arthur is a hauntingly beautiful place to visit.

[@Dank-gb6jn]

“Utter silence and no human contact”. Interesting approach to prisoner obedience. The padded outer walls and slippers on guards is a nice touch too.

[@garretth8224]

Cruel and unusual isn't necessarily interesting.

[@emilyarlington7586]

Doing the tour, the guides take you all over the site and boy being in that building listening to the guide explain what it was for was the most chilling experiences.

[@Dank-gb6jn]

@@garretth8224 “cruel and unusual” has taken a variety of forms over the years. Alcatraz had enforced silence for a portion of its run if I remember correctly and I’m sure ADX Florence has some policies that bleeding hearts would consider “cruel and unusual”. If you’re in prison, you’ve obviously done *something* on the outside that was “cruel and unusual”, all the more reason to have your measure given back to you and then some.

[@Dank-gb6jn]

@@emilyarlington7586 I’ve never had the good fortune to travel to Tasmania (or outside the US for that matter), so I’ll live vicariously through you.

[@MsJubjubbird]

​@@Dank-gb6jn In those days you could be shipped off to Australia for stealing a piece of cheese. OK it's not fair on the shop owners and food security is different now. but not cruel and unusual.

[@margaretrogers9811]

Visited Port Arthur once. A penal colony seems like a long-ago situation, but at Port Arthur you can see the portrait photographs of the last six prisoners i the 1900s.

[@willinwoods]

The use of Australian idioms was noted and appreciated. :)

[@samanthanorman8702]

Sarah Island is where the bad ones were taken. There's a movie called, Convict. It's about some prisoners trying to escape, and eventually eating each other to survive. True story.

[@darkerarts]

Totally forgotten about this place. I visited it about 20 years ago. It was a pretty creepy place. The same night, I was driving up North and drove straight through a bush fire. Aussie is a crazy place

[@tazahawk]

Great to see a video related to my home. Perhaps a Geographics video about Tasmania overall would get some nice attention too.

[@kylarstern7627]

Hey Simon, great video mate, truly. Any chance you can get David to Wright a Casual Criminalist on the events at Port Arthur that occurred in 1996? He's a fellow Aussie mate, so he'll do it justice. Thank you. Edit: Please, Do Not say the Name of that Labotomised Bell End. David will understand.

[@lynettegraves6261]

Yeah, that would be interesting. It really had a cultural impact too so it’s important to our history.

[@December954]

Yes! I was going to ask that too. It was such a big event in our history but its so rarely covered by crime shows/channels

[@lezzman]

I spent some twenty years as a news journalist and one of the unwritten rules followed by me and my colleagues was that, if we mention the Port Arthur massacre, whether for anniversary, historical mention or whatever other reason, we do not mention the perpetrator by name. He wanted to gain fame from his actions, so we try to make sure he doesn't get any.

[@kylarstern7627]

@@PaulRudd1941 Wait, What ??

[@ericagerrard2099]

I’m a Taswegian. 1996. It always feel like last year. Not over 20 years ago. I second the writing of a script by David on the events, the people caught up in it and the unmentionable one. My fav writer after Callum. I’m wondering if Simon has him locked in a small room until he produces the perfect script.

[@jakeporter9698]

Been waiting for this for a while . You should do the history of Tasmania it self

[@shaneeslick]

G'day Simon & Morris M., I love hearing your retellings of Australian History, Some Amazing & some Inhumanely Horrific, I hope we can keep continuing to Advance to a Better Australia that is More Compassionate & Inclusive of All, plus nice use of our Colloquialisms in the script 👍

[@fordprefect80]

I went there forty years ago as a kid. Such a sad and eerie place. I ate my first ever shepherds pie at the cafe which later became the place of even more tragedy.

[@IBAIanBrandonAnderson]

Inescapable doesn't do this place justice. You do need to visit there to get a sense of how hopeless inmates must have felt. Yes the buildings and guards are there to keep you in place but the surroundings cut you off from the outside world. There is only a narrow strip of land that connects you to the rest of Tasmania, it's so isolating. Also, a few years ago - Ancestry DNA showed me that I'm one of those 20% of modern day Australians that have convict roots. Apparently my family came to Tasmania as part of a convict settlement. So there you go 😅

[@JezOnYT88]

as an australian i'm impressed with the number of jokes you got in there. also i thinkyou should do the womens factory as a follow up to this video.

[@jemimairving8472]

Yes! I didn’t notice a mention here that Port Arthur was specifically a place for male convicts, though I seem to remember that it was?

[@ruth4376]

SIMON where did you learn the word bogan?! I can only assume your Aussie writer (is it David) either way you are amazing for including this in your video!!

[@celter.45acp98]

One of the worst ideas humanity ever had was deciding that instead of having convicts work it was better to have them sit in cells all day & contribute nothing to society

[@deansharry69]

Fantastic and informative video as always. I visited Port Arthur in 2004 the Separate Prison was an eerie place to visit especially at night. I couldn't begin to imagine what it would have been like to have served time there. I had a few strange experiences while I was in the Separate Prison and around the site.

[@cynhiacations9879]

I visited Port Arthur 12mths after the terrible massacre. The coffee shop was boarded up and a commemoration was erected to the victims. I did all I could do to not cry. It was the most emotional I've ever been connected to a place. There is an eerie feel to the whole place as you walk around and imagine life for the prisoners. A very educational and humbling attraction to visit. Go and see it as it's beautiful scenery belies its past.

[@Montoya1371]

I'd love to see a video covering Zone Rouge in France. Such a fascinating area that is still uninhabited due to the devestation from the first world war

[@grahamprice3998]

My covict ancestor was "assigned" to his own wife on release and granted property in the Launceston area. What was unspoken is now a proud history good and bad.

[@claudiadeacon917]

I went there at the beginning of 2020 as part of a youth crew. It is such a beautiful place of Tassie. We went during the day and came back during the night to do the night tour. When we were in the isolation pods of the prison, I have never in my felt so depressed. We had been to other parts of the grounds and the roofless church gave me the strangest feeling of being watched yet more in a protective kind of way. That prison on the other hand, the second I got through the doors, instant, heavy and the most awful depression. Such an interesting place. Would definitely recommend and especially recommend the night tour if you can!

[@andrewmiller-yy4de]

Thank you Simon for highlighting Australia and our History. Not many people know it, even Australians today. I would like to point out that Port Arthur was actually a place of " Secondary Punishment", a place for Convicts that had committed offences after being transported, particularly from New South Wales. Transportation was the most brutal system ever devised ( 250,000 Convicts were transported to Australia). I am also privileged to be a descendant of one of those ( Second Fleet). If anyone wishes to educate themselves on Transportation to Australia and the Penal System that was established here please read a book called " The Fatal Shore" by Robert Hughes. On a side note, there was one other place that was worse then Port Arthur, it was called Macquarie Harbour I think. It was on the west coast of Tasmania.

[@philliptree1742]

Beautifully presented 🙏🙏

[@terryenby2304]

Currently obsessed with Phryne Fisher detective series (by Kerry Greenwood) so Australia is particularly interesting! Our ancestors did some awful things.

[@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956]

I was there 2 weeks ago, not only did our ancestors destroy the aboriginal population, but the cruelty and hardship forced upon those who were sent there is unimaginable

[@terryenby2304]

@@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956 yeah, I can only imagine :(

[@BeeMcDee]

My family came to Tas because 2 out of 3 brothers were transported to Port Arthur for horse stealing in the 1830s (the third one followed them as a free settler), and were eventually freed and became wealthy residents of Beaconsfield. I went to PA in 2003, which was 7 years after the massacre. The staff wouldn’t talk about it and you were warned not to ask. It was a hauntingly beautiful place, but you definitely felt the heaviness of all the hardship - and more recent tragedy - there.

[@bceyre8204]

As a Tasmanian (lives about 60km from Port Arthur), the Port Arthur Massacre is still an open wound for many. We all remember where we were and what we were doing that, as if it happened yesterday. I was in Grade 7 and I still remember how heavy school was when we went back. It as a mixture of ANGER, DEEP SADNESS, and CONFUSION.

[@BeeMcDee]

@@bceyre8204 i can only imagine. I still have a lot of family there (north west) and it’s become ingrained in everyone in one way or another. I think I was in year 9. I sat at the memorial when I got there, read the names and just cried. The whole place just had layers of sadness, so it’s strange to be there and also admire how beautiful it is.

[@bceyre8204]

@@BeeMcDee Port Arthur always had this feeling to it, that goes against how beautiful this part of the world is (...the Peninsula & Nubeena is my favourite place). ...but that feeling of sadness was increased and hasn't left since the Port Arthur Massacre.

[@IsaacIsaacIsaacson]

My family also settled in Beaconsfield. Might even be relatives! And agreed PA is so haunting.

[@billbaggins]

😮 no mention of escapee Billy Hunt. a good yarn worth looking into. While you are looking you might as well check out the stories about Black Bobs, I reckon you will get a good laugh😁

[@RealBelisariusCawl]

People REALLY underestimate the brutality of prolonged isolation and circadian rhythm disruption as a form of torture. It sounds relatively benign but … no, it’s not. Solitary confinement for longer than 24 hours should not be permitted except in exigent circumstances. Full stop.

[@leehaseley2164]

The words of Frost are chilling to the bone! The fact that we, the British, were always on the cutting edge of misery and inhumane behaviour, is such a dubious honour that we would be wise not to be in a hurry to forget.

[@vman7321]

Thank you Simon, Morris and co, my greatx5 Grandfather, Henry Rowbottom landed at Port Arthur in 1844, stole 7 pence, 2 Hankies and 1 charge of Assault. Proud of the History and ability to get a Pardon and get on with life, can’t wait to take my 2 children there, now they’re old enough to understand the place and take it in, hopefully latter this year (we’re in now living in Melbourne).

[@twocvbloke]

I'd always thought Botany Bay was the most infamous, but that just may be the trekkie in me, the S.S. Botany Bay being Kahn's sleeper ship as found by the Enterprise in TOS episode "Space Seed"... :P

[@lezzman]

It's funny how Botany Bay is the first thought when people mention "Australian Penal Colony". Nobody seems to be taught about Port Arthur or some of the other "prisoner dumping points" around the country, some of which made Botany Bay seem like a holiday camp.

[@johnyoung1128]

@@lezzman Especially as Botany Bay was never one of those dumping points, the first fleet went to Botany Bay on the advice of Sir Joseph Banks but Arthur Phillip deemed the area unsuitable and moved the fleet to Port Jackson (now better known as Sydney Harbour) but somehow the Botany Bay name lives in pop culture (particularly in Britain) probably because the name continued to be used in Britain as the transportation destination despite it being quite incorrect.

[@heathergarnham9555]

It's interesting because as an Aussie I tend to think of Norfolk Island or Moreton Bay possibly because I'm a banana bender

[@redsword1659]

Botany Bay (Kamay) was not a penal colony.

[@Keithostrangeman]

I worked down there on the isle of the dead installing the new walkway upgrades. I was working along side with the port Arthur maintenance team and they gave some graphic stories from the shooting.

[@lizdyson3627]

Another fantastic episode.

[@peterj903]

*Dunnys* and *Drop Bears* ... Mate...!!! Good one Morris M.

[@BlueSpiritFire1]

Hats off to the writer for this one!

[@SnaccDaddyy]

Port Arthur is one of the most uncomfortable and disturbing places I've ever visited. It's well worth going but be prepared to feel very out of place and like your constantly being watched

[@AshLilburne]

you were

[@callumdunbar1250]

You should do a biographic on Mary Bryant

[@lezzman]

A very thorough retelling of the history of the settlement of Port Arthur and Tasmania. One thing I should point out is the use of the word "Aboriginals" at 3:51. "Aboriginal" is the adjective (i.e. some artefacts there are of Aboriginal origin), while the correct noun is "Aborigine" (the area was the home of several groups of Aborigines). However, a very informative program, as always.

[@jamesmccutcheon4637]

While aborigine is technically correct, using that word to refer to indigenous Australians is at best going to be perceived as a grave insult. Simon used Aboriginal as a proper noun correctly here.

[@lezzman]

@@jamesmccutcheon4637 I know some people perceive it as disrespectful, I grew up in a number of Aboriginal communities who used the noun "Aborigine" all the time. It is usually the new-speak white people who think it is disrespectful while we bush people use the word with respect and honour, as do the Aborigines of those regions. My Aboriginal mates of Kalbarri, Pannawonica, Karratha, Boodarie and Nullagine would hear someone using "Aboriginal" as a noun and roll their eyes for using the word improperly. As an alternative, the terms "Aboriginal people" or "Indigenous people" can be used with the respect it deserves.

[@annastark3786]

it's a beautiful but somber place. there used to be a youth hostel in the '80's where you could stay on site.

[@georgezachos7322]

Very nice Star Wars burn, Simon. 😄

[@blackbetty2946]

He needs to add more of those, this one was spot on

[@kidShibuya]

10:45 was legitimately about to get up and get another timtam...

[@andrewhill8289]

Even worse than port Arthur was it’s outstation for repeat PA offenders, Macquarie Harbour and Sarah Is on the west coast. So bad it made PA look like a holiday camp. One of the more infamous prisoners was the convict cannibal Alexander Pearce, both the penal outpost Sarah Island and Alexander Pearce are worthy of episodes in their own right. Also of note was the “Ship that never was” a ship that was stolen by convicts to escape. Some reports put the escapees as far away as Japan.

[@juliegarrett8389]

Some of the escapees were captured in Chile if I remember correctly.

[@huwsinclair6403]

Awsome wok Simon. I lived near there for a few years as a kid. Scary place which has bad feeling hanging over it

[@amaccama3267]

Bloody well done lads and lasses. 🤘👍👍🇦🇺👍🤘

[@phyllisdevries5734]

OMG! I love you Simon Whistler! you are a genius.

[@louise8001]

Thank you for a great episode. Tasmania is one of our beautiful states, and it has an interesting history.

[@openyoureyes3113]

Do a video about Yuma Arizona state territorial prison. Very interesting story!

[@megcorner7023]

I’ve been to port Arthur and you can go in the dark isolation cell and the chill I felt there was horrific, I lasted about 2 and a half minutes before I had to get out, let alone 30 days

[@mp4986]

1:57 VAN Diemen's Land. It was named after Anthony van Diemen by Abel Tasman, who it is now named after.

[@madmick3794]

Sadly this shipping of prisoners still happens now. A world wide known pair England natives once lured and murdered a child when they were young teenagers. Despite constantly being given new names and identities people kept finding them, not helped when both had their criminal lifestyle continue. One was eventually granted government funded plastic surgery and was shipped to Tasmania with a new identity. In the following investigation it was found that the UK has continued to do this for decades, probably still does.

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@erics.786]

16:32 Made me a subscriber for life my friend!

[@corirobinson886]

Bentham's head 🎶🎶🎶

[@bagaboiebailey]

What's that song at 2:22? I want more music like this 🙏🏼🎻

[@multiyapples]

Rest In Peace to those that passed away.

[@raymondwelsh6028]

One other use of convicts in the early days to make there life miserable was the use of a small convict powered railway. Built as a shortcut across the peninsula to bring in dignitaries. It was ran like a stage coach line with small wagons pushed by convicts with periodical staging areas to change the convicts for fresh convicts. I believe it was about 4 miles. Probably better than being locked away indefinitely in the dark.🇦🇺

[@timspare80]

Yes! The legendary drop bear got a mention! You are truly a God among men, Mr Whistler.

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@ColleenJousma]

You mention Jeremy Bentham and all I think of is the little joke that Ask a Mortician used to have on their channel. They did an episode on Jeremy Bentham and for the longest time at the end of the show Bentham's head would appear on a part of the screen and someone would say "Bentham's Head" in a musical way.

[@RoamingwithRoges]

Hahahha that star wars gag was pure gold

[@hannahsleeth4261]

You should cover the Port Arthur Massacre on The Casual Criminalist. It's had a profound lasting impact on Australian society.

[@Screddy_Henks]

I'm impressed to hear of Tim Tams lol. Nothing like drinking through a Tim Tam.

[@shellshell942]

I can't hear Port Arthur without thinking of Alannah and Madeline. They tragically lost their lives along with their mother fleeing the shooting, their father was instrumental in fighting for gun control. They have a foundation now that supports children suffering from or fleeing from domestic violence. They will always be remembered and thousands are helped every year in their name 💓. A side note about the convicts, I have seen recently coins and other contraband have been unearthed so somehow the convicts were getting up to stuff regardless of the inhumane conditions. Almost feel like giving them an encouragement award for effort...

[@HomeMadeBoards]

More Australia please 👌

[@codyj1162]

I realize that knowledge of mental health has come a very far way. However, I still find it astounding how much treatment in the past was damaging rather than beneficial. It appears it was fairly obvious to some including professionals but was still adopted as treatment. I do suppose that is still very clearly occurring in modern society as well. Still so much progress needs to be achieved. 😔

[@mariusvanc]

Look at any historical medical treatment. Chances were better than even that it would harm or kill you, rather than help. In the absence of the scientific method and testable hypothesis, people were just throwing stuff at a wall.

[@kevinW826]

You should do Boggo Road prison if you haven’t already done so

[@The_rot_consumes.]

If people think that port airy hut was bad, they need to research mcquarrie island as it had a reputation for being one of the harshest prisons in colonial Australia if not the most

[@abcdwxyz2157]

When I was there about 30 years ago a friend of mine captured on photo what looked like 2 ghosts in the commandants house, one looked like a convict and the other a prison guard.

[@WoodyHHG]

I visited there back in 2012. I was told while there that to be a true Tasmanian is having the family lines come from Port Arthur.

[@dylandettorre]

I live in QLD but am visiting family in Tassie in October. They’re very keen to take me there but I can’t stop thinking about the massacre

[@WilliamWetlipsfromWisconsin]

Martin Bryant biographics or casual criminalist would be interesting 🤔 great vid as always

[@chrisbrent7487]

I have an ancestor that was transported there. There were worse places though like Sarah island in Macquarie Harbor and Norfolk Island.

[@mathewkelly9968]

Arguable Macquarie Harbour and Norfolk Island where atrocious and notorious too

[@duncancurtis1758]

Simon and his Drop 🐻 Bears 🐻

[@ianmorris7485]

Not quite so interesting and memorable, Fremantle Jail is another colonial era prison that is on the World Heritage list which is worth a visit. No where quite has the haunting feeling of Port Arthur however.

[@jacoboconnell7518]

I would like it to be put before the Australian Parliament that their country's name be changed to "The Land of Drop Bears"

[@TheSinboy6]

I've been here, it's worth the visit

[@MatthewHarrold]

Thanks for that insightful and sensitive script. A gold star for the bogan reference. $0.02 from Tassie.

[@TooLittleDopamine]

Ayyyy! Tassie Vid!