Between 1863 and 1866 89 ships went down and 243 lives were lost.
In 1874 parlement decided there was a need for a Harbor of refuge and a breakwater needed to be created. In 1889 three years after the Gaol was build work started, it became a public works prison. The prisoners also assisted in sea rescues. When after 17 years the breakwater still wasn't finished, the Gaol was closed. All that was valuable, even the roofs were taken when they left the building.
In 1915 during WWI it got reused as a internment amp for people of German descent who were feared to by enemy sympathisers. At first they stayed in tents and wooden sheds.
The prisoners ran businesses such as a fruit shop, barber, plumber, etc.. There was a hospital run by Dr Max Hertz who is Australia's first specialist in infantile paralysis and congenital deformities.
A large barn was home to the camp orchestra, a brass band, 2 folk choirs and a German theatre that had a new production each week ( in total there were 56 plays). They even had their own newspaper. The grounds of the Goal became a place of recreation for the locals, who were unaware of the Goals history.
In 1918 after the war a caretaker was installed and the Goal was once again stripped of all it's movable buildings and materials in 1922.
The entrance to Trial Bay Goal!
The hospital and kitchen in 1915.
Solitairie confinement.
These utilities were recovered at the breakwater in 1922.
The bakery.
How the cells of the prisoners during WWI looked.
They even locked up Kangeroos!!!! ;) The one on the left has a joey in het pouch!
The view from the Goal.
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