Sarah Island

12 acres of hell. Sarah Island was the penal colony of last resort. Prisoners who tried to escape other sites were sent here, and hell is the name they gave it. The hard labor, after building the the prison itself, was ship building. Huon pine is unique to this part of Tasmania. It floats, doesn't rot (ever) and is easy to work. Some of the best wooden ships of the era were built here by convict labor.Read more