Mr Vincent

Henry Vincent was the first Superintendent of Rottnest Island Aboriginal Prison, in Western Australia.

Vincent had been wounded and lost an eye in the Battle of Waterloo. He was the Gaoler at Fremantle from 1831 until given the job of constructing the "Rottnest Native Establishment" eight years later, when he was appointed Sperintendent of the Rottnest Island Aboriginal Prison for 21 years from 1839 to 1867.^[1] He Under Vincent's rule many Aborigines died. Between 1838, when the prison was opened, and 1931, it is reported that there were 369 Aboriginal fatalities^[2]. While most deaths were caused by disease, it is reported that five prisoners were hanged.^[3] It is reported that he was an extremely cruel and brutal gaoler. Vincent's overtly brutal treatment of the prisoners concerned even the colonial authorities to the extent that the Governor was constrained to station an investigator on the Island (who was subsequently driven off it by Vincent).^[4] It is reported that like many in the Western Australian Swan River colony, Vincent believed that the aborigines were an inferior race.

As superintendent of the prison, Henry Vincent, left his mark on the island. With aboriginal labour he designed and built many of the old colonial buildings that can still be seen today. Indeed, Rottnest boasts the finest collection of early colonial architecture in such a small area to found anywhere in Australia. Vincent managed, with the aid of his Aboriginal prisoners, to build a farm on the island which ran successfully.^[5] Most of the development took place in Thomson Bay, and of particular significance is the Quod that was the prison accommodation for the Aboriginal men.

References

1. ^ Henderson James A. & T. Perigo, "Rottnest, (1989) Links In History" (Rottnest Island Authority, Perth, 1989), pp. 10-15.
2. ^ Pederson, Howard, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Perth, File No. 88/699 'Deaths of Aborigines in Custody': List of 'Aboriginal Men Who Died At Rottnest Island, 1838-1900'
3. ^ Somerville, W. (1966) "Rottnest Island, In History and Legend" (Rottnest Island Board, Perth, 1966), p. 74.
4. ^ Henderson James A. & T. Perigo, Rottnest, Links In History (Rottnest Island Authority, Perth, 1989), pp. 10-15.
5. ^ Green, Neville (1981) "Aborigines and Settlers" in C.T. Stannage, ed. A New History Of Western Australia (University of Western Australia Press Nedlands, 1981), p. 89-92.