BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat
Strahan, TAS

Alexander Pearce Story

Alexander Pearce was indeed a historical figure who was a convict in Australia during the 19th century. He is famously known for his escape from Sarah Island, a remote penal settlement in Tasmania.

Alexander Pearce was an Irishman who was transported to Australia for theft. In 1822, along with seven other convicts, Pearce escaped from Sarah Island. They embarked on a perilous journey through the harsh and inhospitable Tasmanian wilderness, facing extreme conditions and a scarcity of food.

As their supplies dwindled, Pearce and his fellow escapees resorted to desperate measures for survival. They eventually turned to cannibalism, with Pearce being the only one to survive. After being recaptured, Pearce confessed to his horrific acts, and his story shocked the public.

Pearce was subsequently tried and found guilty of murder. He was executed in July 1824 in Hobart, Tasmania. The tale of Alexander Pearce's escape and cannibalism has become a notable part of Australian convict history and has been the subject of books, movies, and documentaries.

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