Shot Tower, Taroona

Shot Tower
Taroona Shot Tower
The Shot Tower at Taroona
Map
General information
TypeShot tower
LocationTaroona, Tasmania.
CountryAustralia
Construction started1870
Inaugurated8 September 1870
OwnerTasmanian Government
Height58.7 metres (192.6 ft)
Dimensions
Diameter10-3.9 metres
Technical details
MaterialSandstone
Design and construction
Architect(s)Joseph Moir
EngineerJoseph Moir
Place ID3,635[1]
StatusPermanently Registered

The Shot Tower (sometimes referred to as the Taroona Shot Tower) is a historic sandstone shot tower situated in Taroona, Tasmania, Australia. The tower held the title of tallest building within the Australian colonies between 1870 and 1875 and remained the tallest structure in Tasmania until 1960, when it was surpassed by the Mount Wellington broadcast tower.[2] The Shot Tower is recognised as the tallest cylindrical sandstone tower in the Southern Hemisphere. The building is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register[3] and was previously listed on the former Register of the National Estate.[4]

History

Looking down from the top of the Shot Tower

Joseph Moir, a skilled Scotsman in iron-mongering, settled in Hobart in 1829 and acquired multiple parcels of land throughout the region. Designed and built by Moir in only eight months, the Taroona Shot Tower became the tallest building in Australia when it was completed in 1870. An inscription at the tower proclaims that the first shot was dropped on 8 September 1870.

The residence of Joseph Moir and his family for many years was located at Queensborough Glen Estate, which is located on the grounds of the historic Shot Tower.

Initially protected by a tariff, the shot business faced challenges after Australia's federation in 1901, leading to the cessation of operations in 1905 under then-operator William Baynton. In an effort to adapt, Baynton's wife established a tea shop at the tower's base, marking the beginning of its use for tourism. Recognizing its significance, the Tasmanian Government designated the Shot Tower, its surrounding land, and structures as the Scenery Reserve in 1956. Today, the tower stands as a preserved historic site, open for tourism. The tea room, reminiscent of Mrs. Baynton's operation, continues to operate in the building at the tower's base.[5]

Operation method

The Taroona Shot Tower used the "long drop and water" method. Lead ingots laced with arsenic and antimony were hauled to the top of the tower, where they were melted. The liquid was then poured down the centre of the tower through a colander, which separated it into drops. Once in free-fall, these drops formed naturally into spheres. They instantly solidified upon hitting a pool of water at the bottom of the tower.[5][6]

Height

The tower has a height of 58.7 metres (192.6 ft)[7] with a diameter of either 10 metres (33 ft) or 6.37 metres (20.9 ft) at the base[8] with either 258[7][8] or 318 steps.[9]

Legacy

The Taroona Shot Tower stands as a remarkable example of industrial innovation from the 19th century; it was the tallest building within the Australian colonies for 4 years and remains the tallest cylindrical sandstone tower in the Southern Hemisphere.

The tower is one of only three remaining shot towers in modern-day Australia, with the others being located in Victoria; the Clifton Hill Shot Tower and Coop's Shot Tower located within the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre.[9][7] The Shot Tower at Taroona is the only tower open to the public to climb.[2]

The Shot Tower is the emblem for Taroona Primary School.

Travel

The Shot Tower is accessible from the Hobart City Centre via car or metro bus along the Channel Highway.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Permanent and Provisional Registrations as at 22 Jan 2021" (PDF). Tasmanian Heritage Register. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Joseph Moir's Shot Tower". Atlas Obscura. Atlas Obscura.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Shot Tower Historic Site, 318 Channel Hwy, Taroona, TAS, Australia (Place ID 11467)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b Alexander, Alison (2006). "The Companion to Tasmanian History - Taroona Shot Tower". www.parks.tas.gov.au. University of Tasmania. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  6. ^ Jones, Callum J. (25 August 2021). "Tas That Was – The Taroona Shot Tower". www.parks.tas.gov.au. tasmaniantimes.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Norris, Keith (1980). Australia's heritage sketchbook (New ed.). Sydney: Weldon Pub. pp. 30–31. ISBN 1863022988.
  8. ^ a b "Australian Heritage Database". www.environment.gov.au.
  9. ^ a b Smith, drawings by Max Angus; text by Patsy Adam (1982). Hobart sketchbook (Rev. ed.). Adelaide: Rigby. p. 36. ISBN 0727000284.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

42°57′29″S 147°20′15″E / 42.95798°S 147.33748°E / -42.95798; 147.33748