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The dam and the mine at
Savage River
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Savage River
(including Corinna)
Mining township in the wilds of the West Coast
Located 113 km south west from Burnie, 269 km west from
Launceston and 152 km north west of Queenstown, Savage River is
basically a mining town which fluctuates according to the price of its
minerals and the richness of its seams. At the moment there are no
signs indicating the name of the town and it could more accurately be
called Australian Bulk Minerals - hardly a name designed to attract
much interest.
Early sailors knew that there were considerable
mineral deposits in the area because the rugged mountain ranges
interfered with the compasses. What they didn't know was that the force
interfering with their compasses was the huge deposit of magnetite at
Savage River some 25 km from the coast.
It wasn't until 1877 that a government surveyor,
Charles Sprent, discovered the Savage River iron ore deposits. At the
time the low quality of the ore (about 38 per cent iron) and the
difficulty of getting the mineral out meant that it was left untouched.
In subsequent years there were various plans (in 1926 Hoskins Iron and
Steel - later BHP - carried out a survey) but it wasn't until 1961 that
Roy Hudson's Industrial and Mining Investigations Pty Ltd became
convinced of the ore deposit's economic potential. It wasn't until 1965
that he managed to find backers but the project went ahead and the town
of Savage River was built between 1965-67.
The huge open cut mine sends the ore by a 85 km
pipeline to Port Latta on the north coast of Tasmania. Over the years
its fortunes have waxed and waned but it is still an important mining town.
Further down river is the near-ghost town of Corinna
(current population of 5) which is on the Pieman River. The Pieman
River gained its name from the notorious convict Alexander 'The Pieman'
Pearce who was responsible for one of the few recorded instances of
cannibalism in Australia. In a bizarre footnote to the history of the
region Pearce and seven other convicts attempted to cross the island to
Hobart where they hoped they could catch a merchant ship and escape to
some ill-defined freedom.
They lost their way and in the ensuing weeks all of
the escapees disappeared except for Pearce. When he was recaptured
unproven accusations of cannibalism were made against him. The
following year Pearce escaped again accompanied by another convict,
Thomas Cox. Once again Pearce found himself without food and, to solve
the problem, he killed and ate Cox. When he was finally recaptured
Pearce admitted to eating Cox and confessed to cannibalism during his
first escape. He was subsequently executed in Hobart.
The Pieman River was named after Pearce's occupation -
he was a pieman in Hobart.
Things to see:
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Inspecting the Mine
It is possible to inspect the Savage River Mine. Contact
(03) 6443 4105 for details.
Corinna and the Pieman River Cruises
This must surely be one of the most isolated tourist
attractions in Australia. Corinna has a population of about 5 at the
moment (it was down to two a few years ago). It is an old mining ghost
town which once boasted a population in excess of 2500. Today the
Pieman River Cruise is the main attraction. A rare opportunity to
experience pristine wilderness on one of the most isolated coastlines
on earth. The boat goes down to the mouth of the river and passengers
can wander along the shoreline and experience the sensation of watching
waves which have travelled uninterrupted by land from the coast of
South America.
Cruises on the MV Arcadia II depart at 10.30 a.m.
every day (except Christmas Day) during the summer months. Between 1
June and 31 October 24 hours notice is required. It is wise to contact
the operators on (03) 6446 1170. Accommodation is offered at the Pieman
Retreat Cabins and there is a kiosk with emergency supplies which
operates in the summer months but people intending to stay should come
well stocked. There is no electricity and consequently the kiosk does
not stock perishables.
