Ghosts of Devonport: The Maritime Spirit of William Chapman

The city of Devonport, Tasmania, steeped in maritime history, is home to a lingering presence from its storied past. The Devonport Bass Strait Maritime Centre, once the Harbour Master’s cottage, has become the focal point of tales that are as much a part of the city’s fabric as the ships that dock in its harbour. Among these is the haunting tale of William Chapman, a former Harbour Master whose spirit is said to roam the historic venue.

Chapman’s apparition has been the subject of three intriguing accounts. Workers have reported seeing a figure resembling the Harbour Master within the old part of the museum, suggesting that Chapman still keeps watch over his domain. One particularly poignant account involved the daughter in law of a subsequent Harbour Master. She claimed to have encountered the visage of Chapman within the cottage, an experience that adds a personal touch to the ghostly lore of the place.

Delving into the annals of Devonport’s history, William Chapman stands out as a pillar of the maritime community. Arriving from England in the 1850s, he assumed the role of Harbour Master in 1855, a post he would hold with distinction. His life was intricately tied to the sea, overseeing the comings and goings of countless vessels and fathering a large family whose lineage intertwined with the city’s growth.

Chapman’s story is a testament to the lasting impact one individual can have on a place. His dedication to Devonport’s maritime operations left an indelible mark, one that, if the sightings are to be believed, transcends even death. The reports of his ghostly watch suggest a connection to the cottage and the harbour that not even time can sever.

The spirit of William Chapman is a thread in the rich tapestry of Devonport’s history, and it continues to intrigue both residents and visitors alike. While the full spectrum of Chapman’s posthumous activities might never be known, the recounted appearances within the Maritime Centre ensure his legacy endures in a uniquely mysterious way.

Chapman’s contributions to Devonport are commemorated in various forms, not least through the continued operation of the Centre that once was his home and workplace. The whispers of his presence serve as a bridge between the city’s vibrant maritime past and its present.

For those drawn to the enigma of Chapman’s lingering spirit, the Centre offers a glimpse into the history that shaped Devonport. While the full story of Chapman’s ethereal returns to the cottage remains shrouded in the mists of the Bass Strait, these accounts add a haunting depth to the city’s heritage narrative.

We would like to thank the Bass Strait Maritime Centre for providing us with the information and accounts to write this story.