1818 Hobart: A heavy cart and a ferry accident

HOBART 1818

 …”As well as individual drowning accidents there were horrific cases of multiple deaths arising from ferry boat activity on the Derwent. …The original settlements in Van Diemen's Land were sited on estuaries and exploration and subsequent settlements tended along river valleys in ribbon development. Water-born transport for population and produce was easy in the time before roads were constructed. Boatmen and passengers were obviously open to the unpredictable weather conditions particularly on open stretches such as the Derwent from Hobart Town to the eastern shore.”  Shirley Hofto ~

 A study of the inquest records of Tasmania p.15  

…”By 1816, Black Snake was a substantial settlement … At this time there were two main crossing points on the Derwent River, from Roseneath (Austin's Ferry) to Herdsman's Cove and Old Beach, and from Black Snake to Herdsman's Cove and Green Point. Travel by ferry was sometimes dangerous and often inconvenient, being dependent on the river current and prevailing wind. The crossing was also unreliable because ferrymen were notorious for delaying their departure to ensure increased business for the adjacent inns. The Black Snake ferry was operated by Richard Burroughs (or Burrows) from his public house and his service complemented James Austin's more frequently used punt at Roseneath, while also plying a river trade to Hobart and possibly New Norfolk.”   Geoff Ritchie ~ On The Convict Trail

As Thomas Peters prepared to relocate his family to his new land “between Bagdad and Constitution Hill” he was associated with a tragic ferry accident in which 12 people were drowned. After the accident it was determined that the ferry had been overloaded. Although Thomas Peters was not aboard the ferry himself, “a heavy cart and other luggage” that belonged to him was.

 ‘Black Snake’ was later changed to ‘South Bridgewater’ and is now ‘Granton’. Image via Glenorchy City Council (adapted)