Tinderbox

In 1792 a member of a French expedition led by Rear Admiral Bruny D'Entrecasteaux lost a small silver tinder box on a beach close by to where these photographs are taken.

These were the first Europeans to visit Tasmania since Abel Tasman visited in 1642 who named the Island Van Diemen’s Land.

In 1798 an English expedition led by George Bass and Matthew Flinders became the first Europeans to circumnavigate the island.

Whilst they were exploring the mouth of the Derwent river one of their crew happened upon a silver tinder box in the sand on the beach.

Following this unlikely discovery the area was named Tinderbox.

This is a link to a painting of tinderbox made in 1840 held at the State Library of Tasmania.

Regarding the cave entrance which is visible on one of these photographs there is a story that Martin Cash an infamous bushranger of the 1800’s sheltered there for some days whilst at large although whether this was early or late in his career is unsure.

Aside from these minor historical notes I would like to say that the honey from these bee hives is really tasty AND that Jemma is still the same lovely as she always was and has not let her recent adoration and newly found fame go to her sweet head :-)