The Hell Hole of the Pacific.

St. Helena was a quarantine station, and prisoners made the journey across the waters of beautiful Moreton Bay by whaleboat. When they arrived they were put to work clearing the scrub on the island and quarrying stone for use in the building of accommodation for the new quarantine station. This all happened during the mid 1860's. When completed St Helena housed some of the countries worst criminals, murderers, and crimes of violence such as manslaughter, shooting and stabbings, rapists, and men convicted of assault. The prisoners were severely punished by being lashed and confined to dreaded dark underground cells, they were also gagged. It is no wonder St. Helena had such a fearful reputation, being referred to as the "Hell hole of the Pacific" and "Queensland's Inferno". Here on the left we see more of the quarantine station ruins and on the right a view back to the modern bustling city of Brisbane, capital of Queensland. You can see more of my images by visiting www.margiparton.com and if you would like to leave a comment or become a follower I would love to hear from you.