Fireworks, the manufacture and art of displaying them, were a passion for English born Charles Knight. Exactly when he arrived in Tasmania is unknown, but it seems he had learned his craft at the famous Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens of London, in the 1840s.
The fireworks at Vauxhall, on the River Thames.
Knight established a fireworks factory in Launceston. It was located close to the Black Horse Hotel, in Wellington Street. He came to public notice in March 1851, after a Sydney pyrotechnic bet five pounds that he could produce the fastest and highest flying rocket. The contest was held in Murray Street, Hobart and to the delight of the partisan crowd, the winner was judged to be Mr Knight.
It was all wonderful publicity. When the Hobart Town Regatta was held in 1852, there was a disappointing turnout of boats due to so many people leaving Tasmania for the goldfields. It was the pyrotechnics of Charles Knight that saved the day;
To make up for anything like deficiency in the sports of the day. Mr Knight truly astonished the natives at night. His exhibition of fireworks at the domain was truly magnificent. (Tasmanian Colonist, Jan 8 1852)
The display earned Charles the patronage and appreciation of Tasmania’s Lt. Governor, Sir William Denison and was a further boost to his business,
Here is an extract from one of his advertisements;
TASMANIAN AND VICTORIAN WHOLESALE FIRE-WORK ESTABLISHMENT
Mr Charles Knight, having established himself in Launceston, and enlarged his Fire-Work Manufactory, and having received a large supply of Chemicals from London, is now prepared to supply parties with any description of Fireworks.
Exhibitions for Fetes, Rejoicings, etc, prepared to any scale…Collections fitted up in a very superior style for public or private amusement from £5 to £100. Fireworks of every description for Theatrical Representation. Gamekeepers Lights made to order. Signal rockets, False Fires, and Port Fires for shipping. (Cornwall Chronicle, Oct. 9 1852)
The advertisement also called for two apprentices, No doubt many young fellows viewed making fireworks as the dream job, but naturally there were risks. And sure enough, there was an accident the following year. However, it was not greenhorn trainees who were involved, but their seasoned employer. Mr Knight was drying a pan of gunpowder when it exploded, causing him serious injuries.
AN ENTREPRENEUR
Pyrotechnics led Knight to expanding into other areas. He exhibited hot air balloons and created lance bombs, a dreadful weapon used in killing whales. Then there was his invention of a new surgical dressing known as Collodion.
Innovative dressings! (Launceston Examiner, Sept. 11 1852)
Oddly enough it was something as mundane as onions that proved Charles Knight’s undoing in 1856. Why he chose to trade in agricultural produce is a mystery, but he bought a large quantity of onions from a local storekeeper, planning to on-sell them in Sydney. That storekeeper was a ticket-of’-leave convict by the name of Jonatham Shadbolt, an ancestor of mine and a very bad egg! 😎
My three times great grandfather Solomon Shadbolt, his son George and nephews Jonathan and Benjamin, had been transported in 1845 for robbing a drapery shop in Hertfordshire. When they were sentenced the judge described them as a nefarious criminal gang who had evaded the police for years. Jonathan had acted as the family ‘fence’. selling stolen goods in London. Perhaps it was this dubious retail experience that prompted him to open a general store in north-west Tasmania. Anyway, Charles Knight supposedly paid for the onions, but then claimed they were rotting. Meanwhile, Jonathan swore he had only received a bank draft for apples, not onions. A complex court case ensued, which against all expectations, Jonathan won. He was awarded damages of £23.
The judgement against Charles Knight sent him into insolvency, with Jonathan his largest creditor.
Source – Linc Tasmania
The following year Jonathan Shadbolt was also declared insolvent, I guess that’s karma!
Charles Knight left Tasmanian in the late 1860s after separating from his wife Ann. He settled in Adelaide. His life continued in the same, colourful manner. In 1875 he lost a hand and suffered serious facial injuries in a fireworks accident. He had been giving a display aboard a paddle steamer. Never fully recovering, he died alone in 1881. It was reported that he was estranged from his children due to his cruelty. What a sad end for a talented, creative man who brought joy and excitement to so many Tasmanians in the early days.
For the full report of the supreme court action brought by Jonathan Shadbolt against Charles Knight, CLICK HERE.
