The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-09-20
THE ESCAPED FENIANS.
How tho Plot for their Escape was Arranged
and Carried Out--Its Success.

How tho Plot for their EAcape WuS Arranged
and Carried Out--Its Success.
The method of escape OF the Fenian
prisoners, six in number, who have ar
rived in New York, was suggested by
the experience of John Boyle O'Reily,
now editor of the Boston Pilot. In 1853
the whaling bark Gazelle, of New Bed
ford, was cruising off the Australian
coast, under command of Capt. David
R. Clifford. To this vessel O'Reilly,
then prisoner, was conveyed in small
boat, through the assistance of his
friends. Capt. Henry O. Hathaway,
then third mate of the Gaz0lle and now
city marshal of New Bedford, was in
strumental in saving the escaped pris-
oner's life, who, having been by some
misohance thrown into the water, was
supported there for several hours by
Capt. Hathaway, and finally rescued in
nearly ifeless condition. From this
incident and Capt. Hathaway's kindness
and sympathy, q warm friendship
sprung up between the two men, which
has since continued. O'Reilly was very
anxious to assist the other Fenian pris-
oners to escape, and when, after CONSUL
tation with other sympathizers Ia this
country, it was concluded to make an
attempt in that direction, the manner OF
his own escape naturally suggested the
most feasible plan. ,:,,....,. -.
Capt. Hathaway's advice was sought
by those in charge OF the expedition,
and he was urged to take command OF
it, but this he felt obliged to refuse. BE,
however, gave them the benefit OF his
experience on the Australian coast, and
his directions we're followed almost to
the letter. The bark Catalpa, OF 202
tons, then in the merchant business,
though formerly q whaier, was pur-
chased, nominally, by John T. Richard
son; of New Bedford, and others, Mr..
Richardson, who owns an eighth inter
est, acting as agent. As the vessel Was
to sail ostensibly for q whaling voyage,
she Was fitted out for that purpose, un-
der the direction OF Capt. Hathaway.
Capt. George Anthony, a',man about
thirty years old, and who from his youth
has been engaged in whaling, was Sc
lected as. master. :, This was his first
voyage in that capacity, but the seaman
ship and courage he had displayed pre-
viously, fitted him for the position. j.
The Catalpa sailed from New Bedford,
April, 20. 1876, clearing for a whaling
cruise in the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
The crew WAS composed mainly OF Ma
lays and Portuguese. So quietly had
all the arrangements been made that no
suspicion Of the true object Of the voy-
age was excited. It is said that the only
persons In addition to the promoters of
the scheme who knew of the plan were
Capt. Hathaway and Mr.. Richardson.
Capt. Anthony, Of course, knew the ma
ture OF his errand. None of his crew
had been informed of this. although it
is thought that the cooper, who is an
Irishman, may have had some idea OF it.
The whaling merchants in New Bedford
denounced the purchase and fitting out
of the Cstalps as foolish. venture, The
first news from the vessel after she sail
ed was received in March of this year,
when she was reported to be of. the
west coast.af Australia, with $50 barrels
of sperm oil. When tho first intimation
of the rescue was received in May last,
it wss generally disbstieved, even tho.
agent stating that the vessel could not
be in the place assigned to her. It was
generally thought that the Catalpa would
first make port at New Bedford, al
though the 'originators OF the expedi-
tion expected she would land the res-
cued men either at Fernandina or
Charleston. The six men who escaped
we're soldiers in the English army, and
were sentenced to penal servitude for