TRIAL HARBOUR
(THE HISTORY)
A little history about Trial Harbour. Remine, the township that sprung up at Trial Harbour was named after the native name for Blandfordia which grows in abundance on the hillsides surrounding the town. At times the town had boomed, in 1891 it's population was 214. All buildings were constructed of wood and iron, with brick chimneys, many of the bricks being convict made. There were two hotels, general store, restaurant, blacksmith's shop, post and telegraph office and a police quarters, along with houses, tents and camps around everywhere. The Harbour was named after the small vessel "Trial ", carrying Mr. Alex Ingleton who to be the manager of the Montagu Mine on the south Heemskirk mining field. It was driven ashore overnight during a gale which Mr. George Davies and Mr. Rex of the Mercury newspaper arrived and on asking the name of the boat on the beach, raised their mugs of spirit and proposed the toast: "Here's to the health of Trial Harbour ". So the spot was named Trial Harbour on the 10th March 1881. On the 26 th February 1887 a bush fire swept through almost every building. Most of them were rebuilt. On the 12th October 1887 the boat, after which the harbour was named "Trial " was wrecked and lost while trying to get into the opening she had been the first to enter. North, north east of Trial was the south Heemskirk mining field. The main mines being the Orient, Cliff, Cumberland, Montagu, West Cumberland, Empress Victoria, Cornwell, Prince George, Carn Brae and Peripatetic. Transport from Trial to Zeehan was by packhorses along a very rough road. The need for the port to Trial disappeared when the railway opened in 1892 between Zeehan and Strahan. It was used for a few more years after this for the supply by boat of rails for the Federation mine. What did remain of the township was again devasted by fire and was not occupied again until the early 1900s. Today, 100 years later there are 46 dewellings, which are mainly used as holiday homes, with a few permanent people in residence. These days we are well and truly equipt for a fire, we have put up our own fire shed and all shacks have there own fire hydrants near by ready. This safety measure has come in handy a couple of times with buildings on fire. It might not always save one but saves many as they are all very close. Everyone here works together as a very well organized community and we get things done, as it is not always possible to get help from the local council as money is never available, so we do it ourselves, by raising our own money. Just speak to any locals and you will find out what ever you would like to know about this little place we call Trial Harbour, our piece of heaven.
