Fortescue Bay

Fortescue Bay or Baje Dolomien is a bay in southeast Tasmania, Australia. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Port Arthur, Tasmania, and makes up part of Tasman National Park. Within the bay are two smaller nested bays, Canoe Bay and Bivouac Bay.

Fortescue Bay
Fortescue Bay at midday
LocationTasmania, Australia
Coordinates43°07′50.5194″S 147°58′13.029″E
TypeBay
Part ofTasman National Park
Ocean/sea sourcesSouth Pacific Ocean / Tasman Sea
Average depth30 m (98 ft)

History

Timber mill

During the early 1900s, a timber mill was started at Fortescue Bay by G. Albury and Turner Brothers.[1] At the beginning of the 1920s, the Gathercole Brothers company began advertising for men to work at their mill. It is possible that the Gathercole Brothers carried on operation of the mill owned by G. Albury and Turner Brothers, as they owned several mills around Port Arthur.

Fish works

Until the early 1970s, Canoe Bay played host to a fish works.[2]

Shipwreck
Wreck of the William Pitt Dredge

On 1 July 1953, a dredge named for William Pitt was towed from Hobart to Fortescue Bay and scuttled in the mouth of Canoe Bay at the request of the Minister for Agricultural and Sea Fisheries. The dredge was scuttled to act as a breakwater for the many fishing vessels using the area to shelter.[3]

Before it was scuttled, the dredge was used in the construction of the Hobart Bridge and in Devonport under ownership of the Netherlands Harbour Works Company. The William Pitt spent 14 years in Tasmania, owned by the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Before its arrival to Australia in April 1907, it was known as the Andre Reboucas.[4]

The dredge is thought to have spent time in Portugal conducting dredging operations after it launched in Bristol in 1904.

Walks

Fortescue Bay has become popular among those who enjoy bush walking. Walks include:[5]

  • Canoe Bay: Starts at the northern end of the beach.
  • Bivouac Bay: Continue on from Canoe Bay.
  • Tasman Coastal Trail: Starts at the northern end of the beach.
  • Cape Hauy: Starts near the boat ramp.
  • Cape Pillar: Starts on Fortescue Road outside the camp entrance.
  • Three Capes Track: Starts at the Port Arthur Historic Site
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References
  1. "CARNARVON". Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 1900-08-29. p. 3. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  2. "Parks & Wildlife Service - Activities". www.parks.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  3. "NEW USE FOR OLD DREDGE". Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 1953-07-01. p. 14. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  4. "The Waterfront". Age. Melbourne, Victoria. 1939-03-18. p. 24. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  5. "Fortescue Bay Walking Notes".
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