ormatory buildings are now used as holiday accommodation as part of the Rottnest Lodge.
Fires
In 1856, the settlement structures - the two-storey prison/workshop building, stables, barns and piggery were burnt down. Their former locations are identified in the area between the shops in the settlement area. The fire was deliberately lit by the superintendent, Henry Vincent, after two prisoners had escaped into nearby bush. Vincent lit the fire with the intent of flushing the prisoners out of their hiding place. The prevailing winds at the time were blowing away from the buildings, however the wind changed direction which brought the flames into the settlement. About 50 tons of hay was also destroyed.
Major bushfires have occurred in March 1894, January 1910, January 1917, March 1939 and February 1949.
Pilot service
In 1846 a Pilot service was established under Captain Edward Back. It continued for 56 years until 1903. The Pilot's and crews quarters were located in at least three of the colonial buildings identified in Colonial buildings of Rottnest Island � buildings 4, 5 and 6.
Internment camp
Rottnest was the site of internment camps in both World War I and World War II In WWI it was mostly used for German and Austrian suspected enemy aliens, and was closed towards the end of the war due to poor living conditions. The camp was sited near the present day Caroline Thomson Camping Area.
The World War II the camp was used exclusively for Italian enemy aliens and was situated near the airstrip. It had capacity for 120 internees.
It was closed about halfway through the war, and its occupants were sent to various other internment and work camps on the mainland.
Military history
Also during World War II, two 9.2-inch guns were installed near the middle of the island at Oliver Hill, and two 6-inch guns installed at Bickley Point, for defence of the Fremantle port. The
