Prisons are designed to be tough to escape from, with high walls, locked doors, and guards keeping watch. But imagine being in a prison that’s not just a building but an entire island! In the 18th and 19th centuries, Australia had penal colonies where the wilderness and shark-filled waters made escaping nearly impossible. Only the most determined and resilient could even think about trying to escape.
One of the most infamous escape stories is about a convict named Alexander Pierce. Pierce was originally from Ireland and got into trouble for stealing shoes. This led to a seven-year sentence in an Australian penal colony. From the moment he arrived in Van Diemen’s Land in 1821, he was known for causing trouble. He committed various offenses, including theft and being drunk, which led to harsh punishments like lashes and working on a chain gang.
In 1822, Pierce was sent to Sarah Island, a place reserved for the most troublesome convicts. Not long after arriving, he escaped into the dense jungle with seven other convicts. Their goal was to reach Hobart, a settlement 90 miles away. But after 15 days of wandering and starving, they faced a grim choice: cannibalism.
The first to fall was Alexander Dalton, an unpopular member of the group. In a desperate act, Robert Greenhill attacked Dalton, and the group used his remains for survival. Terrified, two members left the group, while the others drew straws to decide who would be next. Thomas Bodenham drew the shortest straw and was killed for food.
As their situation worsened, a fight broke out when John Mather was searching for food. Greenhill attacked him, leading to Mather’s death. A few days later, Matthew Travis was bitten by a snake and died, becoming the next meal for the survivors.
Eventually, only Alexander Pierce and Robert Greenhill were left. They initially agreed to work together but soon turned on each other. Pierce killed Greenhill and continued alone, scavenging for food. He eventually reached civilization and joined a gang of sheep rustlers. After nearly four months on the run, he was recaptured and confessed to the murders and cannibalism. However, the authorities were skeptical and sent him back to Sarah Island.
In 1824, Pierce escaped again with another convict, Thomas Cox. A few weeks later, he was found on a beach and confessed multiple times to his acts of cannibalism before his execution. He was convicted of murder and cannibalism and was hanged on July 19, 1824. There is no record of his last meal request.
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Research the timeline of Alexander Pierce’s life and his escape attempts. Create a visual timeline that includes key events, such as his arrival in Van Diemen’s Land, his escape from Sarah Island, and his eventual capture. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging.
Imagine you are part of a court trial for Alexander Pierce. Divide into groups and role-play as the prosecution, defense, and jury. Prepare arguments for and against Pierce’s actions and decide on a verdict. This will help you understand the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Pierce and his contemporaries.
Design a board game that simulates the escape journey of Alexander Pierce and his group. Include challenges such as finding food, avoiding capture, and making difficult decisions. Play the game with your classmates to explore the strategic thinking required for survival.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of Alexander Pierce or one of his fellow escapees. Describe their thoughts and feelings during the escape and the choices they had to make. This will help you empathize with their situation and understand their motivations.
Investigate the conditions of penal colonies in Australia during the 18th and 19th centuries. Create a presentation that highlights the daily life of convicts, the challenges they faced, and the reasons why some attempted to escape. Share your findings with the class to provide context for Pierce’s story.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
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This Simple History episode is brought to you by “World of Warships.”
**The Cannibal Escape, Australian Penal Colony**
Prisons are notoriously difficult to escape from due to their high walls, locked doors, searchlights, and guards. But what if your prison was a penal colony in Australia during the 18th and 19th centuries? The surrounding wilderness and shark-infested waters were enough to deter even the most determined escapee. To escape such harsh conditions, one would need to be exceptionally tough and resolute.
One of the most notorious escape stories involves a convict named Alexander Pierce. Pierce was an Irishman originally convicted for stealing shoes and sentenced to seven years in an Australian penal colony. Since arriving in Van Diemen’s Land in 1821, he had been a troublemaker, committing various offenses, including theft and being drunk and disorderly. His latest conviction was for forgery, which led to repeated punishments, including lashes and time on a chain gang.
In 1822, he was sent to Sarah Island, one of the most severe penal colonies, reserved for the most disruptive convicts. Shortly after arriving, Pierce escaped into the jungle with seven other convicts. They aimed for the settlement of Hobart, 90 miles away, but after 15 days of wandering and starvation, they resorted to cannibalism.
The first victim was Alexander Dalton, an unpopular member of the group. In a desperate act, Robert Greenhill attacked Dalton, and the group consumed his remains. Fearing for their lives, two members left, while the others drew straws to determine who would be next. Thomas Bodenham drew the shortest straw and was killed for food.
As starvation continued, a fight broke out when John Mather was foraging for food. Greenhill attacked him, leading to Mather’s death and subsequent consumption by the remaining members. A few days later, Matthew Travis was bitten by a snake and died, becoming the next meal for the two survivors.
Eventually, only Alexander Pierce and Robert Greenhill remained. They initially agreed to work together but soon turned on each other. Pierce killed Greenhill and continued alone, scavenging for food. He eventually reached civilization and joined a gang of sheep rustlers. After nearly four months on the run, he was recaptured and confessed to the murders and cannibalism, but authorities were skeptical and sent him back to Sarah Island.
In 1824, Pierce escaped again with the help of another convict, Thomas Cox. A few weeks later, he was discovered on a beach, and he confessed multiple times to his acts of cannibalism before his execution. He was convicted of murder and cannibalism and was hanged on July 19, 1824. There is no record of his last meal request.
This Simple History episode was brought to you by “World of Warships.” The game is free to play and is known as the “thinking man’s action game,” balancing action and strategy. You command a naval fleet featuring iconic war vessels, unlocking new ships and engaging in battles with millions of players worldwide. The game offers unique combat experiences and is regularly updated with new missions and events.
Use our exclusive code below to get a free USS Langley aircraft carrier, which offers a different gameplay experience. New players can register with the code “PLAYLANGLEY2019” to receive in-game bonuses.
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This version removes graphic details while retaining the essence of the story and the promotional content.
Escape – To break free from confinement or control – During the American Civil War, many enslaved people sought to escape to the North where slavery was abolished.
Convict – A person found guilty of a criminal offense and serving a sentence – In the 18th century, many British convicts were sent to Australia as part of their punishment.
Cannibalism – The practice of eating the flesh of one’s own species – Historical accounts suggest that some isolated groups resorted to cannibalism during extreme famines.
Australia – A country and continent located in the Southern Hemisphere, known for its unique history and settlement by British convicts – The history of Australia includes its use as a penal colony by the British Empire in the late 18th century.
Prison – A facility where people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed – The conditions in Victorian-era prisons were often harsh and overcrowded.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes.
Survival – The act of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions – The survival of early settlers in America depended heavily on their ability to adapt to new environments.
Punishment – The infliction of a penalty as retribution for an offense – In medieval times, punishment for crimes could be severe, including public executions.
Wilderness – An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region – The Lewis and Clark expedition ventured into the American wilderness to explore and map the newly acquired territories.
Island – A piece of land surrounded by water – The Galápagos Islands are famous for their unique wildlife and their influence on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
