The "Swan River Colony" was established as a British colony for free settlers in 1829. Convicts did not arrive until 1850. Nevertheless, the first permanent building was a gaol. The gaol was situated on Arthur's headland which overlooked the Swan River mouth and had uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.
A courthouse was established at the headland in 1835 on the south side of the Round House. Stocks were installed, much to my dismay, in the 1840's. Would I share the fate of John Gavin, a 15-year old convict who was convicted of murder in 1844. Would I be hanged? I thought we were just coming to Fremantle to go shopping in the markets and to look at Victorian architecture. How would I know Magi had more devious plans for me? Perhaps, after two weeks he is tired of his guest from America and thought this would be the perfect place to leave me. Hell, I only snitched a few lemons from a defunct lemon grove....but Mag told the gaol keeper and into the stocks I went.
Unaware of the plan, I follow Mag across the railroad tracks and climb stairs built into the limestone rock.
Like a good historian, I read the signs to learn more about the Round House.
Both Magi and I take pictures. I am completely unaware what Magi has in mind.
All of a sudden, I am asked if I would like to "try the stocks". I demur and say no. But then Mag encourages me and so I consent.
Ok....this was fun...but let me out now.
What do you mean I stole lemons? You mean you are going to leave me here? I promise...I won't talk so much, I will clean up my room, I'll wash the dishes, hell, I'll even learn how to cook, Mag, if you just have the goal keeper let me go.
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Images by Magi and Bob.
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Comments: 61
I don't remember if Salem still has stocks, either for tourists or for crims.
Well if you must be punished at least that is a very scenic place to receive sentence.
I bet you could create a similar item and sell it on late night infomercials as an exercise machine of sorts..get some retired TV personality to hawk it..;)
BTW lovely photo essay..
Imagine how horrid it would have been to be sentenced to jail there. Our convicts have it easy by comparision. In the school museum where I work we have a flogging stand -used when boys recieved the strap. It scared the younger students (and me), I think stocks would be have been better.
It is so good to see these photo essays all the way from Australia!!
Great to see you tracking down history and the ambience of Australia and giving us the pleasure of sharing these pictures.
I just went through ALL your aussie essays first, one to the next, impatient to see all of them before commenting!!
Hey Bob, a Ten to you for getting our elusive Poet friend to pose for the camera!!
Magi, you look great!
So do you, Bob, in all your pictures..I loved looking at the pics where Magi caught you trying to get that perfect shot of flora and fauna, or caught in that stock...
Thoroughly enjoyed travelling with you two!!!
Love to both of you !
What an easy relationship we have stumbled upon.
Mischievous is far more fun
Looks like you guys are having fun! When are you due to come home, Bob?
Yesterday we traveled up to Darlington to have a wonderful lamb roast with Magi's good friend Lorraine. She has a beautiful farm house up in the hills with a beautiful gardens and pool area. It was fun taking pictures there...and enjoy a real Australian meal. It was also interesting to hear her stories of "bush fires"....something they have all the time. Several times she has been evacuated.
You look good even when you are "being punished", Bob! :-)
Quite an enjoyable photo essay! More than your fun with the stocks, I envy you your foray into the lemon groves.
It's a delight to follow your travelogue, love that shot of the roundhouse with the zig zag shadow on the steps. Keep having fun and if memory serves me correct, there are a couple of cocktails that require lemon too:)
By the way, we are going to be off Gather for 4 or 5 days. We have exploited almost everything within a 200 mile radius of Perth so we are taking a roadtrip down to the South-east....750 km from here. Australia is just BIG!
I have to feature what I deem to be good. Anyway, I like your smile.