No. 7 - Devonport

Exploration of the Mersey River was undertaken in 1823, however initial observations by the British were unfavourable. Following the arrival of the Van Diemen's Land Company in 1826, the district underwent further exploration and surveying. Settlers commenced arriving later in the same year. Indigenous resistance to settlement was evident, leading to the killing of Captain Bartholomew Boyle Thomas on 31 August 1831.

The first European settlement in the Devonport region, predating 1850, was established on a block of land at Frogmore, near present-day Latrobe. It was a modest beginning that set the stage for future developments.

In 1850, the arrival of a settler named Oldaker marked the establishment of present-day Devonport. Saw milling and coal mining gained momentum with the arrival of English settlers aboard the sailing ship Balmoral in 1854. During the 1850s, twin settlements, Formby and Torquay, emerged on opposite banks at the mouth of the Mersey River. Torquay, the larger of the two, thrived with various amenities, including police, post offices, magistrate services, hotels, shipyards, and stores. A river ferry service connected Formby and Torquay.

Between 1870 and 1880, the shipping industry experienced growth, leading to efforts to deepen the mouth of the river. This development facilitated the commencement of regular steamer services between the Mersey and Melbourne.

In 1882, the construction of the Marine Board building, which still stands today, became a notable landmark. The completion of the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse in 1889 enhanced maritime safety in the region. The turn of the century witnessed significant changes, especially with the railway's impact on the Formby community. The railway combined a railhead and port facilities, leading to a building boom in Formby.


In 1890, a public vote united Torquay and Formby, officially forming the town of Devonport. The opening of the Victoria Bridge in 1902 provided a crucial land transport link between Devonport and East Devonport, fostering further connectivity.


Source: Devonport, Tasmania - Wikipedia

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