The Pentridge Stockade.
The ovum or organism from which has germinated the now large penal repository of Pentridge—exteriorly and interiorly more like a strongly fortified town than anything else, except that its inhabitants are so divided into castes as to be divisioned in sections from each other—was so shabby, insignificant and feeble as to pass the belief of any person who did not see it. It was something larger and stronger than the first prisoners' barracks, put up by order of Captain Lonsdale in 1836, on the "Government block." The prisoners' huts were constructed of logwood instead of bark, and the enclosing fence of strong stakes and thick paling, in lieu of ti-tree boughs and branches. In 1850, when the separation of Port Phillip from New South Wales was virtually fait accompli, a portion of the present Pentridge locale was chosen as a suitable site for the erection of a stockade, or place of detention for the prisoners to be employed on the public roads or works, and a beginning was made in August, by the construction of two rows of huts, about twenty in all. The appointment of Superintendent was eagerly sought for by a dozen applicants, amongst them being Sergeant Ashley, the then head of the Melbourne Detectives. But Mr. Latrobe thought it better to secure the services of some officer who had graduated in a regular Penal establishment, a man of known experience in dealing with criminals of every tint of crime and disposition—one skilled in checkmating the convicts known to be adepts and sojourners in the Stockade, either runaway or expiree felons from New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. A Mr. Samuel Barrow who had won his spurs in the management of the convict departments at Hobartown and Port Arthur, accordingly received the appointment whereby a good deal of local jealousy was occasioned. The residents in and around the township now known as Coburg, were greatly alarmed at the planting of a convict taint amongst them, and they were apprehensive of rapine and robbery, from what they considered to be the inevitable result of frequent outbreaks of the prisoners. To quiet their fears sufficient protection was promised them, and accordingly eight constables were stationed there, with a sergeant and seven black troopers, quartered in the immediate vicinity of the Stockade.
On the 5th December, 1850, thefirstbatch of convicts was removed from the gaol. Barrow was so much delighted at being able to make a commencement, that he actually worked up a small processional display, and the following was the order of march out of town:—
The Stockade Superintendent in a cab.
Sixteen prisoners handcuffed, and some of them leg-ironed, all clad in prison garb, each fellow branded "Pentridge" on his back, and an armed warder on each side.
District Chief-Constable Brodie on horseback.
Six constables armed cap-a-piè.
Sergeant and two black troopers.
The party arrived at its destination without any mishap; and the prisoners being distributed amongst the huts, watches were set, and some of the "black guard" mounted darkies ordered to act as a patrol.
On the 10th December the stockaders were increased to 25, and the first hard labour they were put to was the collection of surface stones wherewith to erect a watch-house. There were at this time 41 Port Phillip convicts serving their time in Sydney, and, by way of Christmas-box, 34 of them, as "returned goods," arrived in Melbourne on the 22nd December, of whom 27 were forthwith detached to Pentridge. Two working gangs were formed and set to labour at road-making. They were watched over by five constables with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and two black troopers were perpetually riding round the workers with double-barrelled rifles ready to pop after any fellow disposed for a run. The order of the day was, that if any prisoner attempted an escape he was to be called on to stand, and if he did not comply instanter, he was to be shot at.
For three months or thereabouts Mr. Barrow had calm weather and a smooth sea, and he and his mixed crew got on swimmingly; but the sky soon darkened, the winds rose, and the waters of circumstance turned into an angry surge. In fact, for the three and a-half years he held command, he was scarcely ever out of squalls or hurricanes of one kind or other. The first outbreak occurred on the 26th March, 1851. Seventeen convicts were employed a short way from the Stockade, and, in the course of the afternoon, one of them picking up a tidy knob of a stone, and aiming at the eye of Constable Price, fired with such precision
