Haunting tales from harbour

Matt Carr - 

A shady past might not be Newcastle’s most renowned attraction but the harbour certainly has a dark side.

That part of the region’s history will be explored as part of the Newcastle Maritime Centre’s Harbour Ghost Walks, operating throughout the school holidays.

Centre manager Richard Howard said there was a treasure trove of scurvy tales behind the port, which was crowded with hundreds of ships.

Mr Howard said the crowded harbour had suited the practice of ‘‘shanghaiing’’ or kidnapping sailors to work on vessels.

‘‘Newcastle was one of the leading ports for shanghaiing and crimping crews,’’ Mr Howard said.

‘‘In those days there were no telegraphs, so people would go missing and they might not ever be heard from again.’’

Mr Howard said the harbour’s sense of history and atmosphere had drawn plenty of attention, but there were plans to take the tours on to the water when funding was available.

The tours cost $10 and operate every Friday from 8pm.

Bookings are essential.

Photo Kitty Hill

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