Stories of convict life in the early days of Australian settlement often dwell on the harshness and cruelty of punishments meted out at places like Port Arthur or the Coal Mines. But for convicts who were well-behaved or had tradesmen’s skills their situation could be improved with the opportunity to work on construction projects in the colonies. Convict-made buildings, bridges and roads are commonplace in Tasmania, but some stand out as being a little more unusual than others. Spiky Bridge, south of Swansea, was built by convicts in 1843.
The road along the stretch of coastline from Little Swan Port to Swansea was well-known in the early days of settlement for being rough, and crossing this steep, rocky gully was treacherous at the best of times. Edward Shaw, a local farmer, had been campaigning for some time for a bridge to be built over the gully with no success. So after a night of card playing he offered Major de Gillern, the Superintendent of nearby Rocky Hills Probation Station a ride home. They crossed the gully at full speed and this most uncomfortable journey impressed upon the Major the need for road works. Not long after, Spiky Bridge was built!
The bridge is a dry wall construction – there is no mortar holding the stones together. There is no record of the reason for the upright stones that give the bridge its name. The most popular story tells that cattle often fell over the sides of the bridge into the gully and the ornamented sides were added to stop this from happening.
Or could it have been a convict with a sense of humour who placed the stones this way?
It is an interesting bridge and even more interesting story thanks for this, I love it, I will have to look out for it when I go to Tassie one day.
This looks very interesting. No mortar is also an interesting feature. What a great story teller you are, Carol.
The construction was similar to dry wall stone fences – it takes a lot of skill and even more so when you think that it was used for many years. I’m glad you like reading my stories.
You could compile them into a book some day if you wanted to. Very nice.
I would like to write for a travel magazine one day…that would be a big thrill.
Don’t wait! You are way better than almost any magazine writer I’ve read! I wish I had more knowledge about how to break into that business. Maybe Dianne Gray would know more since she is a published author. You definitely have what it takes!
Marsha
When I did that course I learned how to go about writing pitches etc, but it takes a lot of work and I just don’t have the time to pitch and repitch over and over. Maybe when I retire. In the meantime I’m honing my skills.
I’m still pitching for you for now!!! You could travel and sell in the summer, and then teach all winter!!!
Well, that is a good plan but I doubt the Ed Dept would look favourably on it!
No???? Do they care what you do on the side?
Surely I was not the only person to award you the Bog of the Year 2012 Award. If you didn’t pick up my star it’s waiting for you!!!! You certainly deserve 6 stars!!!!!!!!!!!
No yours was the only one…better than none. If they do it again this year I might get lucky! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
awww, then I nominate you 6 times!!!
Why thank you!