Mount Nelson Signal Station

We have visited the Mount Nelson Signal Station on more than one occasion. In 'The Day' it was an important hilltop for the communication of messages to Hobart from Port Arthur and vice versa. Although at least 100km from Hobart by road or a long sail, Hobart could be informed of the situation at Port Arthur inside of 15 minutes via semaphore and flag signals displayed on a chain of hilltops. Unsurprisingly, Mount Nelson offers spectacular views over the River Derwent and beyond, eclipsed only by those from Mount Wellington.

 Chris and the Bloke look at the view from the Signal Station.

View from the Signal Station in the direction of Port Arthur.

Pigeon holes for the storage of the flags suspended from the ceiling.

Morning tea at Mt Nelson with Chris, John and his Mum

at the restaurant adjacent.

There is a message there if we just understood the code!

A sketch of the Port Arthur signal tower.

The original was destroyed by bush fires.

Replica Signal Tower at Port Arthur.

A similar method of communication caught our eye at the Low Head Pilot Station on the Tamar. It was used to keep Launceston informed of what was happening at the coast. Messages were not sent out in full. A code book held a list of short hand messages for generic messaging as well as some private codes.

Olden day SMS's?