The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-08-16

! Es 4 -
Descent Upon the Coast Of Ireland The
Irish Not Ripe for Revolution.
From ths New York Times, August4.
Some months ago it was determined by
the leaders of both Fenian organizations to
equip and man ship of-war for the purpose
OF making observations upon the coast of
Ireland, and if practicable to land number
of men thoroughly equipped at such part of
4 the island as ~woald enable them to arouse
the people to revolutionary action. After
some weeks of preparation a bark of 500
I tons burden was purchased, and provided
with water and provisions for two months
trip, and crew of forty experienced sea-
men, under the command OF Captain James
McGroonl, were shipped on board. Three
4 hundred and fifty Fenians, picked from the
/, various Circles, and thoroughly armed with
4 the Springfield rife and supplied with a
large quantity of ammunition and warike
stores, embarked on board the Plato, the
i name of thesbark, and on the 9th day of
April she weighed anchor from Long Island
Sound and proceeded on her voyage to the
Green Isle. The run across the Atlantic
! was made in twenty three days, and was
IIony disturbed when off the banks of New
4 foundand by the. appearance Of British
man; OF war, which hove in sight on the
morning of the % of May. The display of
the American bunting seemed to satisfy her
Majesty s commander, and the Plato pass
ed on her way unmolested. On the 23d
day Of May they made first land in Isle of
Tory, a small island about thirteen miles
west OF the coast of Donegal. Here they
effected landing and secured supply of
frpSh provIcono . ar, yro.o 80 A.. - Il
coined by the Inhabitants who knew com
paratively little of American Fenianism.
The Isle of Terry is inhabited by the abo-
rginal Irish, who speak the Gaelic Ian
guage and are governed abya king who is
elected by the votes of the male inhabitants.
The population OF the Island is about three
hundred, and it is the only place in Ireland
4 where the Irish may be said to becomplete-
~ independent. Ia g.. e.
i 9Settlng sail from Tory, they cruised
about the coast of Donegal, and effected a
landing at the head OF Kinsale Here they
were. apprised that an English frigate was
hoverlng about knsale. !, Becoming some
what alarmed they put out to sea again,
and after several days returned and cruised
about the coast of Wexford, when they put
into Bantry Bay, under cover of the night,
: actually passing under the nose of an Eng
llsh man of war without being questioned.
Before aybreak they left the Bay, but not
before having communicated with some
leading Fenians in the vicinity. The Plato
after leaving Bantry Bay, proceeded to
Waterford and on the 9th of June landed
a number of men on the coast, six Of whom
were shortly after captured by the English
constabulary of Wexford Standing out &c
sea, they lowered about the coast of An
trim Bay. There they were informed of
therfate which had hefallen their compan-
ions, and, after holding several prolonged
interviews with the Fenian leaders in the
west Of Ireland, they proposed to make a
descent in Antrim, but became convinced,
from the fate of their companions and from
he extensive publicity which the news Of
the. cruise was obtaining throughout the
country, that the attempt would be hazard
Gus, and that the people were not sufficient
ly organized to successfully undertake 9
revolutionary movement. They then re-
luctantly determined to return to the Frases
After remaining several days in Antrim
Bay they quilted their anchorage and set
ting sail in a northeasterly direction, an
chored in Belfast Tough, where they met
the agents of the Irish Fcnian Directors
and We're advised to abandon all hopes oil
efccung landing, as the people were un-
prepared for Instruction, the country being
full OF troops, They were also assured tina,
an unsuccessful venture would be their ut
ter ruin. After remaining several days in
Belfast Tough, the Plato set sail in ives
terly direction, and landed again in the
Cove. Here the same intelligence greeted
the adventurers that they had receiv ed in
Belfast, and they determined to return to
the States. Taking on board supply OF
water and provisions, they trimmed their
sails in the direction Of America, and left
the land of their birth, which they had
fondlv, aud fooishly hoped to have been
able to assist in its liberation. After being
at sea for week their provisions gave out,
and it was only by the liberal supplies OF
! food, and the assistance which they receiv-
ed from passing American ships, they were
preserved from starvation. The port OF
New York was reached on the 2Sth of July,
the entire trip having consumed ninety two
h days. The result of the voyage shows that
! the coast of Ireland cannot be patrolled by
I English gunboats so as not to prevent the
I landing of considerable bodies of men,
4 During the cruise Of the Plato signal rock
cts were fred from on board ship and an.
,swered from the shore, and complete com
muncation Kept UP by those on shipboard
with those on shore. re eff ra.
+ I"'E yIs The Pacific RAILWAY.