Former school friends at Hobart High School in the late 1950s, Peter MacFie, with over 30 years historical research and publishing experience, and Marie Giblin, a long time Margate resident and former cartographer, combine their skills Ð and love of place Ð to provide a unique study of North West Bay & Margate in the DÕEntrecasteaux Channel.
Topics range from the Baudin French scientific visit to North West Bay in 1802 which documented the customs of aboriginal Tasmanians, the 1818 convict sawing station and the islandÕs first sawmill in 1823, to early land grants Ð one signed by Governor Lachlan Macquarie Ð and the areaÕs convict, military and free settlers. The evolution of the shipbuilding, agriculture and other industries Ð including the Sandfly Coal Mine Ð are covered, as well as education, coastal shipping and roads.