04 December 2013

Walking the Old Great North Road, Dharug N.P., Part Two


This sign reads: There's a story that this naturally formed rock shelter was used as a place to hang convicts.  Supposedly, a noose was suspended from a tree growing above the hole in the roof of the shelter.

The story goes that convicts were tried by Percy Simpsom at Courthouse Cave above Wisemans and the condemned men transported across the river to this site.  The convict was then led to the side of the hole, those noose placed around his neck and his feet knocked into the hole-thus hanging him.

It's a good story, but there is no proof that Hangman's Rock was ever used in this way.  It was obviously used for some purpose, as the excavated steps, that floor area and bench seat were carefully constructed.

A more prosaic explanation is that the hole was roofed over the cave used as a storage area for gunpowder.  Peraps it was just a place for the overseers to sit and watch the work on the road.  Its exact purpose will probably never be known.





This signage reads:
In 1858 a 40 metre section of the road's retaining wall collapsed into the gully below the road.

The impressive buttresses-keyed to the wall with L-shaped blocks-were intended both to add strength to the wall and to contain the exits for the culverts which carried storm-water under the road.

The storm-water discharged from these exits flowed down the races built into the face of each buttress to the open spillways below.  These directed the flow into the gully, away from the base of the wall, preventing undermining of the foundations.

Why did the wall collapse?
It is likely that the drainage through this section of the wall became blocked by silt and debris, causing the filling material behind the wall to become waterlogged.  The increased weight and pressure-combined with the builders' mistake of not keying the buttress to the wall below the culvert exit-forced the base of the wall outwards and the section slid downhill.

Studies of the collapsed section tend to support this theory, as the centre part is still intact, but has moved outward and downwards from its original location.

Part of the retaining wall which now supports the narrow section of road above the collapse is convict built, and probably formed part of a work platform area where the blocks for the main wall were manufactured.

The remainder of this wall was built sometime after the collapse from roughly split stone blocks, possibly at the same time as the building of the road to St Albans, as the stonework is the same quality.

In 1998, the NPWS undertook a partial reconstruction of a collapsed culvert, located on this buttress.

amazing how you find, just the one plant, unknown, in flower. 

walking back again now


Unfortunately, the Rockwarblers weren't sighted, but it was still  a very interesting walk

15 comments:

Our photos said...

Beautiful are the photos!

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I strained to read the sign about Hangman's Rock not knowing you had wrote it all out below. The next sign I scrolled down. I learn well. I like that solitary flower.

Irma said...

Great photos, beautiful surroundings
I think you got a nice walk, Carole.

Joop Zand said...

Very nice photo's ...... lovely area Carole.

Greetings, Joop

Anonymous said...

That rock with a whole is amazing. Nature provided some lovely views for you Carole.

TexWisGirl said...

the rocky cliff is neat as is that hole and its legend - rather sad.

Montanagirl said...

Wow - what a great place for a walk. That Hole In The Rock hanging place was pretty interesting - and impressive!

Lisa Gordon said...

Wow! This is really interesting, Carole, and beautiful too. I love the colors and textures of the rocks.

Roy Norris said...

That rock is astonishing Carole. How unusual.
Love the little flower.

eileeninmd said...

Carole, the rock formations are cool. I am glad to read they did some reconstruction. What a great place for a walk. The flowers are lovely. Wonderful post, thanks for sharing!

Jan Castle said...

Amazing photos...thanks too for the narrative!
Jan

Brian King said...

Beautiful formations! Hangman's Rock is very unique. I don't think I've ever seen a hole in rock like that.

Helma said...


Really special this hell. I've never seen anything like it. That's just been Elsten in the rocks or is it caused by weather! Beautifully portrayed Carole :-)

Montanagirl said...

I just happened to see the Santa Hats on the birds in your Header - and their names. How very clever. LOVE it!!

Unknown said...

Love the rock just hope the hangings are only legend. Looks like a wonderful walk.