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Frank Long

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Prospector in Tasmania, Australia This article is about the Tasmanian prospector. For the American writer, see Frank Belknap Long.

Frank Long was a trackcutter and prospector. In 1882 he discovered the Zeehan-Dundas silver-lead field on the West Coast of Tasmania.

Life and career

Frank Long was Tasmanian, born to ex-convicts in Launceston around 1844. He spent his early years in Campbell Town. Long was a member of Charles Sprent's Mount Heemskirk expedition in 1876 and was known as a hardy and strong bushman.

Discovery of the Zeehan-Dundas Silver-Lead Field

Long discovered deposits of silver and lead in the Zeehan-Dundas silver-lead field. A nearby encampment grew, and the Mount Zeehan Post Office opened on 1 August 1888. Although Long's mineral discoveries generated wealth for many people, his later years were affected by rheumatism and alcoholism. The community of Zeehan helped Long secure a government pension so he could live out his days in dignity. Long was known as "the father of Zeehan" when he died in 1908.

Legacy

The Frank Long Memorial at Zeehan received $5,000 upgrade in 2018.

Further reading

  • Blainey, Geoffrey (2000). The Peaks of Lyell (6th ed.). Hobart: St. David's Park Publishing. ISBN 0-7246-2265-9.
  • Haygarth, N. Frank Long in Alexander (ed.) The Companion to Tasmanian History. 2005. ISBN 1-86295-223-X p. 220

See also

References

  1. Haygarth, Nic. "The Companion to Tasmanian History - Frank Long". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. Bennett, Lachlan (10 August 2020). "Saving the Silver City: Zeehan's plan to survive and thrive". The Advocate. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  3. Bennett, Lachlan (12 June 2018). "Frank Long memorial at Zeehan receives $5000 upgrade". The Advocate. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
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