Closing Hell's Gates - the death of a convict station

Based on an elaborate reconstruction of day-to-day life at Macquarie Harbour, a site of convict punishment, this is the true story of how, in 1827, nine convicts opted for 'state-assisted' escape (the death sentence) rather than endure the hardships and privations of the penal settlement on Sarah Island.

For twelve years between 1822 and 1834, Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's Land, held convict re-offenders. Clinging to the shores of the west coast of Tasmania and hemmed in by uncharted wilderness, the environment itself formed the prison walls that confined those sent there. Many went mad, or chose death or an uncertain escape into the bush rather than continue their time at the settlement.

Based on detailed accounts from the time, Closing Hell's Gates contains personal stories of convicts and overseers. See Related Products below for more on Macquarie Harbour and Tasmanian convict history — order two or more titles together and we'll combine postage into one parcel.

BOOK DETAILS

• Softcover book.
• Published 2008.
• 312 pages, indexed.

CONDITION

New

DELIVERY & IN-STORE PICKUP

• Combined Shipping: Sourcing multiple titles for your Tasmanian history library? The Book Cellar offers combined flat-rate parcel delivery across Australia. Secure your books using our online checkout, or phone the bookshop directly on 03 6381 1545 to coordinate multi-volume shipping.
• Free Instore Pickup: Located in Tasmania or travelling the Midland Highway? Select "Instore Pickup" at checkout to pay no postage and collect your items directly from the counter at The Book Cellar, underneath Foxhunters Return in Campbell Town.