We departed Cook’s corner for Darlington Bay at northern end of Maria Island. There was only 3 knots of wind with very calm seas so we motored most of the way unfurling the Genoa when the wind allowed.
We arrived early afternoon and anchored just off the beach. By this time the wind had picked up and was now blowing 10-15 knots from the North which put Escapade on a lee shore, so we took turns going ashore to have a look around.
EARLY HISTORY
The island was originally operated as a convict penal settlement (the second to be established in Van Diemen’s Land) between 1825 and 1832.
The aim of the settlement was to ease over-crowding in Hobart. The settlement was plagued by frequent escapes and other disciplinary problems so it was closed in 1832. Most of the convicts were transferred to Port Arthur.
The site was left abandoned until it was re-opened as a probation station ten years later. It was during this second period of operation that the settlement dramatically expanded before closing again in 1850.
The island was then used primarily for sheep grazing until 1884, when the island was leased to Angelo Guilio Diego Bernacchi an Italian silk merchant who after numerous ventures developed a cement plant in 1922. By 1924 the plant was producing 30,000 tons of cement per annum. By 1927 however, the company ceased trading due to heavy losses. It wasn’t until 1971 that the Island was declared a National Park.
After exploring the Darlington area we headed for Triabunna where we anchored at Horseshoe Shoal and took Lucy to shore for a run.
Love Maria Island, lots of cancer-free Tassie devils up at the accommodation buildings, saw the Southern Lights from next to the building in your pics. Having almost as much fun as you guys just reading the blogs ! Best of luck with the budgeting Georgie, a chance to make your fortune there.