Bart Bear's Blog

This grassy mound just outside the fence of the Norfolk Island cemetary is part of one of the nastiest episodes in the bloody history of the island. In the 1840's Norfolk Island was the harshest penal colony in the British empire. The most dangerous criminals were sent here, and the guards were mostly a brutal lot as well. In 1846 a new military Commandant ordered that the convicts could no longer have private cooking gear. A convict called William Westwood (aka Jackey-Jackey) killed two overseers and two guards and led a revolt by around 1600 prisoners against the guards (incidentally, Jackey-Jackey started his bushranging life in the Canberra area. His first spate of robberies were at Bungendore, just 20 minutes drive from here). Soldiers from the military garrison staged a bayonet charge and soon rounded up the convicts and put them back in the gaol. Jackey-Jackey and 11 others were hanged and their bodies buried in this mound, outside the consecrated ground of the cemetary. The spot has been known as Murderers Mound ever since. It is in a really beautiful spot, near a pretty little beach where the snorkelling is good in calm weather. Another example of the mix of beauty and horrible history that makes Norfolk Island such a fascinating spot for Oldies and small bears.

Labels: Norfolk Island