Convict ‘chain gang’ site find

A SIGNIFICANT convict site has been uncovered at a planned subdivision opposite a Launceston Bunnings franchise. The council has confirmed a dig last month unearthed remnants of the station that housed the Launceston chain gang.

HISTORY buffs have solved a more than 100-year-old mystery by finding a missing but significant convict site at a planned subdivision opposite a Launceston Bunnings franchise.

The Launceston council has confirmed an archaeologistled dig last month unearthed remnants of the foundations of the Kings Meadows Road Sta- tion. The station housed convicts, including the Launceston chain gang, in the three years to 1838.

Its location was largely unknown after it was decommissioned in response to a Launceston versus Hobart spat over water provisions.

Launceston Historical Society archaeology group member John Dent said the thenLaunceston residents had demanded free water like that enjoyed by their Hobart counterparts — a request Governor George Arthur refused.

Instead, he ended the project linked to the road station that would have brought Launceston a freshwater supply. Residents waited another 15 years for freshwater.

Last month’s City of Launceston-supported historic dig unearthed remnants of the structure’s foundation as well as a felt hat, china, pottery, nails, glass, a barrel and bricks.

Mr Dent had long pursued the site and labelled it an exciting find.

“It was a fairly significant convict station for a short period of time so it was nice to be able to find it and show convicts were operating here in the North as well as at Port Arthur,” Mr Dent said.

“I think it’s good to be able to identify where they were located so we can provide that greater knowledge of the early settlement patterns of Van Diemens Land.”

The planned subdivision at the Kings Meadows site will still go ahead with the road station likely to be commemorated at a planned nearby park.

City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said the site was not protected.

Artefacts would be investigated by researchers at “various institutions”, Mr Stretton said. “The site is being redeveloped and the landowner agreed to the search before construction continues,” he said.

“Heritage authorities have been engaged throughout the dig process and all advice suggests that the heritage value of the site has been suitably captured.”

The council agreed to provide up to $10,000 in funding for volunteers, led by an archaeologist, to search the site.