Guardians of the Port Hobart's Colonial Pilots

Guardians of the Port Hobart's Colonial Pilots by Suzanne Smythe

From the first days of Hobart Town, pilots were expected to look after the government boats, explore and report on the waterways and pursue escaped convicts who often stole boats or attempted to capture them. Most successful at re-capturing convicts was James Lucas, his most famous captive being Alexander Pearce of cannibalism fame. Lucas was also credited with saving the settlement at Macquarie Harbour from starvation by sailing to Hobart for an emergency supply of potatoes.

While their primary duty was to protect the port and its shipping, they performed a variety of roles. Incoming ships were not to be boarded by anyone but the pilot or late the Health Officer to try and ensure goods weren't smuggled ashore. Ships had to be checked for illnesses and if infected were taken to the quarantine areas, first off snug and later off Sandy Bay.

On departure ships were searched several times to ensure there were no convicts trying to escape or other unathorised persons aboard. Ships were escorted to the Iron Pot, the outer limit of the port to ensure no one boarded.
The colonial pilots were important members of their often isolated communities, with hospitality and assistance being both expected and offered. Many were ex-sea captains that had other sources of income besides their shared fees.
Their story is also that of the development of the port and its shipping, the social life of the time in its regattas and the changing form of the shipping that arrived and the goods that left.