Long shot
A long shot of the historic Shot Tower, near Hobart. This 52-metre tower, built in 1870 by a Scottish settler, was once the preserve of a vital secret — the formula for making shot. Ingots of lead, arsenic and antimony were hoisted to the top of the tower where they were remelted. The molten lead was poured through colanders to form the shot into the required size and then plunged the full drop into a tub of water at the bottom. The shot was sufficiently cool by the time it fell into the water which prevented it from denting and bruising. So secret was the process that the manufacturer himself only discovered the formula through trial and error after he had constructed his tower. He registered his product as “patent shot” and warned trespassers that they were not welcome. Today, however, visitors are welcome at the restored landmark (open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.), now a tourist attraction with museum, tearooms, art gallery, souvenir shop and gardens. The Shot Tower is on the Channel Highway, 11km from Hobart.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19830614.2.124.7
Bibliographic details
Press, 14 June 1983, Page 25
Word Count
177Long shot Press, 14 June 1983, Page 25
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Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
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