Mr Vincent
Encyclopedia
Henry Vincent was the first Superintendent of Rottnest Island
Aboriginal Prison, in Western Australia
.
Vincent had been wounded and lost an eye in the Battle of Waterloo
. He was the Gaoler at Fremantle
from 1831 until given the job of constructing the "Rottnest Native Establishment" eight years later, when he was appointed Sperintendent of the Rottnest Island Aboriginal Prison for 21 years from 1839 to 1867. He Under Vincent's rule many Aborigine
s died. Between 1838, when the prison was opened, and 1931, it is reported that there were 369 Aboriginal fatalities. While most deaths were caused by disease
, it is reported that five prisoners were hanged
. It is reported that he was an extremely cruel and brutal gaoler. Vincent's overtly brutal treatment of the prisoners concerned even the colonial authorities to the extent that the Governor was constrained to station an investigator on the Island (who was subsequently driven off it by Vincent). It is reported that like many in the Western Australian Swan River
colony, Vincent believed that the aborigines were an inferior race.
As superintendent of the prison, Henry Vincent, left his mark on the island. With aboriginal labour he designed and built many of the old colonial buildings that can still be seen today. Indeed, Rottnest boasts the finest collection of early colonial architecture in such a small area to found anywhere in Australia
. Vincent managed, with the aid of his Aboriginal prisoners, to build a farm
on the island which ran successfully. Most of the development took place in Thomson Bay, and of particular significance is the Quod that was the prison accommodation for the Aboriginal men.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
Aboriginal Prison, in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Vincent had been wounded and lost an eye in the Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. He was the Gaoler at Fremantle
Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison is a former Australian prison located in The Terrace, Fremantle, in Western Australia. The site includes the prison, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, tunnels, and prisoner art...
from 1831 until given the job of constructing the "Rottnest Native Establishment" eight years later, when he was appointed Sperintendent of the Rottnest Island Aboriginal Prison for 21 years from 1839 to 1867. He Under Vincent's rule many Aborigine
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
s died. Between 1838, when the prison was opened, and 1931, it is reported that there were 369 Aboriginal fatalities. While most deaths were caused by disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
, it is reported that five prisoners were hanged
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
. It is reported that he was an extremely cruel and brutal gaoler. Vincent's overtly brutal treatment of the prisoners concerned even the colonial authorities to the extent that the Governor was constrained to station an investigator on the Island (who was subsequently driven off it by Vincent). It is reported that like many in the Western Australian Swan River
Swan River (Western Australia)
The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
colony, Vincent believed that the aborigines were an inferior race.
As superintendent of the prison, Henry Vincent, left his mark on the island. With aboriginal labour he designed and built many of the old colonial buildings that can still be seen today. Indeed, Rottnest boasts the finest collection of early colonial architecture in such a small area to found anywhere in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Vincent managed, with the aid of his Aboriginal prisoners, to build a farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
on the island which ran successfully. Most of the development took place in Thomson Bay, and of particular significance is the Quod that was the prison accommodation for the Aboriginal men.