Australian Convicts
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Australian Convicts
Tasmanian convicts sentenced to hard labour are made to carry a hundredweight of shingles - 50 kilos - for up to 50 kilometres, but this will be abolished by the 1850s
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 601426
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10120627
Convicts Heavy Kilometres L Aw Loads Punishment Tasmania Walk Weights Made
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a group of Australian convicts from Tasmania, sentenced to hard labor, carrying heavy shingles during the early 19th century. The image provides a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of colonial punishment. Convicts were made to carry loads of up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) for distances of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles). This grueling labor was a common form of punishment for various offenses, and served as a means of building infrastructure and developing the colony. The convicts in this photograph are seen trudging along a dirt road, their faces etched with exhaustion and determination. Each man carries a large stack of shingles on his back, balanced precariously with ropes or straps. The weight of the load is evident in the bent posture and strained expressions of the men. This photograph is a powerful reminder of the physical and emotional toll of colonial punishment. The use of convict labor was a contentious issue during this period, with debates raging over the morality and effectiveness of such harsh punishments. By the mid-19th century, the practice of making convicts carry heavy loads was abolished, marking a significant shift in the treatment of convicts in Australia. The historical significance of this photograph lies in its ability to transport us back in time, providing a vivid and visceral representation of life in the early Australian colonies. It serves as a testament to the resilience and endurance of the human spirit, as well as a reminder of the complex and often controversial history of penal colonization in Australia.
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