The Colebrook Fiasco Part 4 – Who caused the fiasco and the failure?

The story so far It has been a few months since we posted about the Colebrook mine. We have told its story from the promise of a brilliant future to its reality as a sad memory.1 The Fiasco For years, the Colebrook Prospecting Association (the Association) had proclaimed that the mine was big, full of … Read moreThe Colebrook Fiasco Part 4 – Who caused the fiasco and the failure?

The Colebrook Fiasco – Part 3 – The fiasco

Introduction The last two blogs told the story of the rich copper mine at the top of Colebrook Hill.  The prospect was inspected and dissected by some of the best mining men in the country.  The hill seemed to be a huge deposit that would rival the Mount Lyell mine at Queenstown.  Some said that … Read moreThe Colebrook Fiasco – Part 3 – The fiasco

The Colebrook Fiasco – Part 2 – The dream of smelting in the forest

The Story So Far In 1897, three respected mining entrepreneurs announced that mine on Colebrook Hill would be greater than Mount Lyell.1  William Knox, William Orr and Herman Schlapp had helped create the massive Mount Lyell copper mine and had made their reputations in the early days of Broken Hill’s silver boom.2  They bought a … Read moreThe Colebrook Fiasco – Part 2 – The dream of smelting in the forest

The Colebrook Fiasco – part 1, the long and careful years

The wash in the creeks may carry gold, and lodes in the ridges be, But the pyritic ore of the copper belt it pleases most to see; Through the nameless scrub in the sun or rain we follow the luring quest. And cut our way with our tomahawks where the badger makes his nest. (Paul … Read moreThe Colebrook Fiasco – part 1, the long and careful years

The Long History of a Little West Coast Mine

There are a few things that I learnt during this hunt.  One is that a story chooses you and won’t let you go until you tell its history. It can wait a long time but it will get its story told.  Another is that once it gets hold it won’t let you go easily.  And … Read moreThe Long History of a Little West Coast Mine

The Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 3 – A Gruesome Discovery

Thomas Connolly, the publican of the Rosebery Hotel, walked towards a prospectors’ camp near Barn Bluff on 20th March 1901.  His swag was found at Lake Windermere a few kilometres from his destination but he had disappeared. George Sloane, a tragic figure in his own right, is forever associated with Thomas Connolly.[1]  In late 1901, … Read moreThe Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 3 – A Gruesome Discovery

The Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 2 – The Search

Thomas Connolly left his Rosebery Hotel on Tuesday 19th March 1901 to meet prospectors James Swallow and Thomas Cook at their camp near Barn Bluff.  He walked to Mount Farrell (now called Tullah), stayed overnight and then followed the Mole Creek Track towards Barn Bluff.  Two days later, cold weather hit. It battered and soaked … Read moreThe Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 2 – The Search

The Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 1 – TJ Connolly

Weather in the Tasmanian high country is unpredictable. The roaring 40s crash into the West Coast and spend themselves on the high mountains and plains.  Rain, wind, storms and snow can come quickly at any time of the year.  It catches the unprepared or unlucky. Sometimes it leaves death as its legacy.  Each tragedy scars … Read moreThe Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 1 – TJ Connolly

Sloanes Bridge on the Forth River

You’d think it would be hard to lose a bridge across a major river like the Forth. Sloane’s bridge was substantial, 35 metres long and with 200 metres of formed approaches. But it disappeared a long time ago. Sloane’s bridge was built in May 1902 as part of a track from Gads Hill near Liena … Read moreSloanes Bridge on the Forth River