The Hospital, Port Arthur Penal Settlement. by blinkings

Photography • Historical • posted on May 13, 2018

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Description

Built between 1841 and 1842, this sandstone & brick hospital had two gabled wings which contained the wards and also housed a provisions store, a kitchen with a baking oven, a morgue and a waste collection room. This building was the third hospital built at the settlement and the wards were capable of housing about 70 patients, the convicts and Point Puer boys being separated from the soldiers & officers. During busy periods, the convict patients were segregated by religion with Catholics in one ward and Protestants in another. Civilians and their families were generally treated in the comfort of their own homes. The first medical officer at Port Arthur arrived in 1832 and since he was also the catechist, he was responsible for the convicts’ spiritual health too. After the closure of the settlement in 1877, the building was abandoned. It was eventually purchased by the Catholic Church for 300 pounds for conversion into a boys home but it was gutted by the 1895 bushfires.

Comments (10)

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durleybeachbum

4:46PM | Sun, 13 May 2018

It would make a great hotel! (With a little work)

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Faemike55

5:58PM | Sun, 13 May 2018

I agree with Andrea

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Richardphotos

7:55PM | Sun, 13 May 2018

I really like the masonry, but looks dangerous from falling bricks

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kgb224

10:06PM | Sun, 13 May 2018

Superb capture my friend. God bless.

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bmac62

10:47PM | Sun, 13 May 2018

Love old buildings with a story to tell. It probably was a grim place to work in. Thanks for the history.

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helanker

2:24AM | Mon, 14 May 2018

I cannot help loving old brick buildings in decay. Cannot give a proper explanation why. :) So I love this shot. And thanks for the history from me too. :)

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