It was in a shambolic state in 1978 when I was there as a child. The door to it was open with a sign saying do not enter. We went in of course and looked up the tower. I tested the stairs as a sprightly 4 year old, followed one by one by my family as they saw how sturdy the staircase still was. We got to the top and looked out the doorway but were not trusting of the wooden balcony. Like all the places we went in those days, shortly after we visited it they boarded up the doorway and made sure people couldn't get in. I think we one of the last people to have had free roam in the place. The same thing happened to Port Arthur shortly after we visited there as well, the kids used to play hide and seek in the ruin of the gaol while the adults sat on the lawn at their picnic blankets. Thanks for the revisit, the place has changed so much since I was there (it was also a mid winters day).
Salamanca place and Bellerive fort were both playgrounds for me too prior to restoration works. They were open, derelict places. Prime real estate for fertile young imaginative play.
we love your work be nice to see longer pics if posible you do very good and its nice to see you take the time to talk about our history not that others care so much it wood be nice if people care about our fine state as you do thank you for everything
Killer video Angus and dog so many times I’d driven past and wondered what the purpose of the tower was! Keep doing what your doing and we will keep watching👍
Tasmania is full of these gems. I have childhood memories of going to the Shot Tower in the 70s. It was very well kept, with a souvenir shop at the base. The views from the top are amazing. It's a must-see sight, and I am due to go back soon. Thanks for the wonderful video. The rest of the world gets to see how lucky we are to be living in such a beautiful State.
Over the years I have been up the tower numerous times. It’s an amazing structure when you think of how they would have had to build it. To raise the cut each stone correctly and then raise it up the tower as it was built. Let alone the actual working conditions, especially given the toxic nature of lead fume, cyanide and antimony, when heated. Such a different time back then (no workplace health and safety considerations). That it still is in excellent condition is a testament to both the design/engineering and construction. Thanks Angus, it’s good this story was shared.
I can recall(!) as a lad, when we lived in that beautiful state in the 1950's I did indeed assend all those wooden stairs to the very top and gazed out at the view, it was specatular! However, IF I could now replicate this now stunt...nah! I now live in the USA, (in Northern Colorado) where the spectacular snow covered Rockies are to our west; I still miss "My" Tasmania and all that offers. ONE DAY...I do hope to return there...ONE DAY.
I have been up this tower a couple of times when it was open to the public, probably in the 70s. Long walk up those stairs. We once came close to hitting it,, a bit spirited late at night and hit some ice and the car was looking at it until it found some front grip
As a kid growing up in these areas, my brother and I used to catch a bus to school from Blackmans Bay to Taroona (Taroona High School 1976-1979) and back via Bonnet Hill every day. The Shot Tower was a landmark that we saw every day and knew virtually nothing about. Glad it’s being cared for and maintained better these days. Thanks for the enlightening insight. Love listening to the history of Hobart and it’s surrounds through your channel, keep up the great work.
Thank you Angus and Dog, very fascinating. I went there decades ago, but unfortunately I could only manage 15 or so steps, due to my awful fear of heights😟. Amazing that there are only 3 left, well, I'm not sure how many there used to be 🤔. You are correct, who needs big pineapples and bananas 😅. Love your poetic words at the end 👌😊
Hi, i work and live at the tower. Me and my family own the business. Absolutely wish we had known you were here filming, would have loved to talk to you.
Richard Lord’s book says good dolerite foundation to hold the tower, plentiful firewood to melt the lead, good water supply, fresh air to blow away poisonous fumes and local sandstone at Browns River. Lead from local scrap plus imported ingots.
It is an interesting thing and I’m ashamed to admit that despite exploring the shot tower with my kids when younger, and family and partner - there were some things you said that I didn’t know. I should have. So thanks.
My Mum and Dad were offered an opportunity to buy the shot tower ~ 1946 , but decided not too because it was too far out of town and they did not have a car Thanks
I went there in 1970 it scared the crap out of me i was 5 , just a couple of years ago i went back but after seeing the staircase i gave it up as a bad joke
It was in a shambolic state in 1978 when I was there as a child. The door to it was open with a sign saying do not enter. We went in of course and looked up the tower. I tested the stairs as a sprightly 4 year old, followed one by one by my family as they saw how sturdy the staircase still was. We got to the top and looked out the doorway but were not trusting of the wooden balcony. Like all the places we went in those days, shortly after we visited it they boarded up the doorway and made sure people couldn't get in. I think we one of the last people to have had free roam in the place. The same thing happened to Port Arthur shortly after we visited there as well, the kids used to play hide and seek in the ruin of the gaol while the adults sat on the lawn at their picnic blankets. Thanks for the revisit, the place has changed so much since I was there (it was also a mid winters day).
I was there a couple weeks ago and the girl selling tickets told me that she and her family live in the house and they operate it as a business.
Salamanca place and Bellerive fort were both playgrounds for me too prior to restoration works. They were open, derelict places. Prime real estate for fertile young imaginative play.
I also remember climbing that tower in the 70's.
What a fabulous story! And told so well. Thanks so much for this gem of entertainment.
I climbed the shot tower as a lad, incredible bit of engineering. Hard work by honest men make the world a better place. Thanks Angus
@@seanworkman431 so quickly built and not a crack in it to this day. Remarkable engineering!
That was really interesting Angus. Very well told. It’s a beautiful construction.
we love your work be nice to see longer pics if posible you do very good and its nice to see you take the time to talk about our history not that others care so much it wood be nice if people care about our fine state as you do thank you for everything
Well done Angus... keep'em coming....
Cheers, Andrew.
Nice work telling the story. There is a display inside with samples of all the different sizes of shot that was made, huge variety.
Productive place, Brian.
Fantastic story, perfectly told....such a cool building and a testament to one man's ingenuity.
A great acheivment.
Killer video Angus and dog so many times I’d driven past and wondered what the purpose of the tower was! Keep doing what your doing and we will keep watching👍
Learn to use the internet
Cheers, Will
@@fixxxer7030 Womp womp😀
Always used the shot tower as a navigational fix on my passage plans into Hobart aboard naval ships.
Ascended this beauty December 23’ with the fam. Amazing marvel, with an amazing view.
Thanks, Angus and Dog😊 another great insight into our heritage. And well done.
Thank you, Anna.
Interesting how the Channel Hwy was once called Browns River Road. Makes sense!
Love it Angus keep the history stories coming.
Thanks for watching, Anthony
Tasmania is full of these gems. I have childhood memories of going to the Shot Tower in the 70s. It was very well kept, with a souvenir shop at the base. The views from the top are amazing. It's a must-see sight, and I am due to go back soon. Thanks for the wonderful video. The rest of the world gets to see how lucky we are to be living in such a beautiful State.
That first aerial view of the road reminded me of the old 'Suicide Bend' at the beginning of Taroona, the ultimate accident hotspot.
I've only ever seen photos of that bend before they filled it in.
Fantastic as always Angus!
I find shot towers absolutely fascinating!! Thanks Angus and cute white dog! ❤
Such a fabulous history and an amazing survivor. Thank you.
Thanks, Catriona
Over the years I have been up the tower numerous times. It’s an amazing structure when you think of how they would have had to build it. To raise the cut each stone correctly and then raise it up the tower as it was built. Let alone the actual working conditions, especially given the toxic nature of lead fume, cyanide and antimony, when heated. Such a different time back then (no workplace health and safety considerations). That it still is in excellent condition is a testament to both the design/engineering and construction. Thanks Angus, it’s good this story was shared.
Thanks mate very informative. I rode past this on my motorbike today and I was curious to know what its history was 👍
I can recall(!) as a lad, when we lived in that beautiful state in the 1950's I did indeed assend all those wooden stairs to the very top and gazed out at the view, it was specatular! However, IF I could now replicate this now stunt...nah! I now live in the USA, (in Northern Colorado) where the spectacular snow covered Rockies are to our west; I still miss "My" Tasmania and all that offers. ONE DAY...I do hope to return there...ONE DAY.
Colorado is a very nice place.
It is that and no denying it (mate) but like that song by Peter Allen goes, "I still call Australia, home", and in particular, Tamania.@@angusthornett
I have been up this tower a couple of times when it was open to the public, probably in the 70s. Long walk up those stairs.
We once came close to hitting it,, a bit spirited late at night and hit some ice and the car was looking at it until it found some front grip
thank you
Another quality presentation from you Angus. I detected a slight reference to War of the Worlds at the end. 😀
Thanks, Peter. Reference wrapped in a mystery surrounded by strangeness.
Brilliant vlog Angus. Was fascinated by it from when I first saw it. It is more spectacular the the shot towers in Melbourne. 🐸👍🙂
The setting helps a lot.
I was worried your little dog 🐶 would run into the hole at the bottom of the shot tower haha phew
Loved it.
Thanks, Phillip
As a kid growing up in these areas, my brother and I used to catch a bus to school from Blackmans Bay to Taroona (Taroona High School 1976-1979) and back via Bonnet Hill every day. The Shot Tower was a landmark that we saw every day and knew virtually nothing about. Glad it’s being cared for and maintained better these days. Thanks for the enlightening insight. Love listening to the history of Hobart and it’s surrounds through your channel, keep up the great work.
Cheers, mate. Thanks for watching.
Double thumbs up!
Double thanks
Thank you Angus and Dog, very fascinating. I went there decades ago, but unfortunately I could only manage 15 or so steps, due to my awful fear of heights😟. Amazing that there are only 3 left, well, I'm not sure how many there used to be 🤔. You are correct, who needs big pineapples and bananas 😅. Love your poetic words at the end 👌😊
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Hi, i work and live at the tower. Me and my family own the business. Absolutely wish we had known you were here filming, would have loved to talk to you.
Next time, ha
Why’d they build it there? Was there a lead mine? In 1870 it would have been a long way from Hobart. Great video.
Richard Lord’s book says good dolerite foundation to hold the tower, plentiful firewood to melt the lead, good water supply, fresh air to blow away poisonous fumes and local sandstone at Browns River. Lead from local scrap plus imported ingots.
Cheers, mate.
He already owned the land.
Was only at the top about 7 years ago and the stair case was terrifying then. Creaky old thing.
Another great video angus!
Cheers, Tom
Great work mate, love it
Thanks, mate.
I’m keen for this one!
This was really interesting Angus.
It's an interesting thing.
It is an interesting thing and I’m ashamed to admit that despite exploring the shot tower with my kids when younger, and family and partner - there were some things you said that I didn’t know. I should have. So thanks.
I'd love to know how the tower was constucted so that it ended up so perfectly round & vertical.
Is it tapered too, if so, even more amazing.
My Mum and Dad were offered an opportunity to buy the shot tower ~ 1946 , but decided not too because it was too far out of town and they did not have a car
Thanks
I went there in 1970 it scared the crap out of me i was 5 , just a couple of years ago i went back but after seeing the staircase i gave it up as a bad joke
Excellent 👍
Thanks again, Steve
@@angusthornett ALWAYS my pleasure mate!
good video
Nice 👍🏽 enjoyed hearing about the history of the tower.
As far as the second Shot tower in situated in, Melbourne Central where in the third tower?
Clifton Hill
@@angusthornett thanks Angus 👍🏽l know exactly where it is.
Does Taroona have sand-stone?