Hobart – 432 Pages: A Catalogue of Things

Gatekeepers Cottage, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart

March 5, 2022August 15, 2019 by Monissa

Following the resignation of Dr Story in 1845 after a mere twelve months as superintendent (Secretary Manager), the Royal Society decided to build a separate house for the Superintendent, possibly to make up for the relatively low salary. Designed by the Colonial Architect, Porden Kay, it was situated near the northern end of the Arthur Wall, and initially had two rooms and kitchen downstairs, with a (very) steep stairway to a small attic.

The Gardens and Government House are fortunate in lying on top of a delta-shaped deposit of fine sandstone, easily cut and shaped, whilst the remainder of the Domain is largely dolerite, a hard igneous rock much more difficult to work. Building was completed the same year it was begun, but appears never to have been occupied by any of the Superintendents, though it was certainly well-used. In its time it was home to an Overseer / gatekeeper, served as a porter’s Lodge and Tea Rooms: this last was not a success.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Right: Guide to cottage layout (not to scale)

Room 1 to right. Room 2 to left.

Tram

July 16, 2018 by Monissa

Larger version.

Restored tram, belonging to Hobart City Council.

First paragraph:
TRAM NO. 39
Built in 1917 as a two-man tram.
No. 39 was originally operated by both a driver and a conductor. In 1926 it was converted to a one-man tram on which the driver was also required to collect the fares. After about 1946, when No. 39 was taken out of service, it served for a number of years as the meal room at the Moonah tram depot. It 1949 a former tramways inspector purchased No. 39 for £10 and kept it in his backyard in New Town for almost 40 years.

Theatre Royal, Hobart: Foyer

May 23, 2019May 23, 2018 by Monissa

Larger version

Website.

Coach House & Stables

December 29, 2017June 10, 2016 by Monissa

The coach house and stable at Runymede consists of a front room with large double doors where the carriage is and a second room at the back with the stalls, and a wooden addition. There are pegs on the wall of the stable room for tack (I assume) and a regular door in the back wall.

St David’s Cathedral, Hobart

December 29, 2017February 29, 2016 by Monissa

Cnr Macquarie & Murray Streets, Hobart. (Murrary St entrance shown above.) Opened 1874, replacing an older building of the same name

Building started 1868.
Consecrated & opened 1874.
Chancel, Sanctuary & Nixon Chapel completed 1891-4
Bell tower completed 1936

North side.

Looking back towards the entrance.

Nixon Chapel, commemorating Francis Nixon, first bishop of Tasmania.

Side, main door to right and door leading to tower on the left wall.

Corner shown in previous photo.

Window commemorates Bishop Nixon.

Displays in the cloisters

Through to base of bell tower.

MV Cartela

September 23, 2019December 9, 2012 by Monissa

This is an old post with small photos. I have better photos now but more pressing things to work on, so if you’re interested, comment below and I’ll push it to the top of the “To Do” list.

Cartela was built in 1912, as a steam powered passenger and cargo ferry, operating on the Derwent River and surrounding waterways. There’s not many passengers vessels from that era still in existence, and far fewer that have seen continuous service.

Penitentiary Chapel, Hobart: Part 2

December 29, 2017December 9, 2012 by Monissa

This is a continuation of Penitentiary Chapel, Hobart: Part 1
In the second part, we look at the other side of the building. Note the building on the left that looks like a two-storey house, the very enclosed yard and the cut-off wall on the right.

First though, a wonky plan 🙂 It helped me make sense of what was where. It also shows how the two underground passages and the security tunnel (in blue) all go to the central little room. At least they would if I’d put the doors in.

Penitentiary Chapel, Hobart: Part 1

December 29, 2017December 9, 2012 by Monissa

That is place it was built as a chapel and later used as a courthouse. There are a lot of photos, so I am breaking this into two posts. The second part is here.

Now it’s owned by the National Trust. Have Trust Membership, Will Use. (Home Hill is a NT property too.)

HMB Endeavour, 2012

September 23, 2019December 9, 2012 by Monissa

These photos were taken when I was doing a stint of tour guiding on board. I took photos during the quiet times. I also did this in 2007 and added my guide “spiel”. So that one has better words and this one has better photos.

HMB Endeavour, replica of an 18th century collier converted to a navy ship filled with scientists.

Today’s post is an overview of the ship as you’d encounter it on a visit. The attention to detail is incredible: clothing & blanket are hand sewn, hand woven, from the original places where possible; letters are on handmade paper, hand copied from originals; all the ship’s measurements are as accurate as they could make them. She might be a secondary source, at best, but a fascinating source.

Once onboard, there are about ten positions (depending on how many guides are available) each with a guide who’ll tell you something about that part of the ship. If it’s very busy, each group should only be at each position for 2 minutes. At quieter times “they should be through in an hour, unless they want to stay longer and talk”.

So you go onboard here.

Then up to the foredeck, where I’ve still managed not to be stationed, so you’ll have to make do with just images.

Although I will draw your attention to the flag.

May Queen

September 23, 2019December 12, 2011 by Monissa

This is an old post with small photos. I have better photos now but more pressing things to work on, so if you’re interested, comment below and I’ll push it to the top of the “To Do” list.

Restored 19th century ketch (built 1867)
Two masts, with the front mast being the taller, both fore and aft rigged.

May Queen