Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-07-29
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EXCITING TRIP OF THE cATALPA
How Capt. Anthony Rescued Fenian
Prisoners from Australian Colony.

How Capt. Anthony Rescued Feniar
Prisoners from Australian Colony.
Captain George 8. Anthony. who
commanded the Catalpa expedition to
Australia in 1875 and who died OF
pneumonia in this city after an illness
OF q few days, had been in failing
health for number of years. Two
years ago. while boarding a vessel ir
his capacity as inspector of customs
he fell down the hatchway and was
severely injured. His sight had failed
and he had been in poor physical con-
dition for some time
To those familiar with Irish history
the name Of Captain George s. Antho-
ny, skipper Of New Bedford whaling
vessels, recalls at once the career OF
John Boyle O'Reilly and the rescue by
the ship Catalpa Of six Irish political
prisoners from the convict settlement
at Fremantle harbor, southwestern
Australia, in 1856, when the escape
Of John Boyle O'Reilly, who had left
Australia in an open boat February
18, 1869, was still fresh in the public
mind. -,-.- .--.
News did not travel fast in those
days Captain Anthony's brilliant feat
In rescuing the men and In carrying
them Off under the guns Of a British
man-of-war caused a comparatively
slight amount Of excitement, except
among the Irishmen of this country
who had financed the expedition. The
Yankee skipper who gave the men
freedom at the risk Of his life and
dared an international feud in doing
so, went without further reward until
1903, when he was presented with a
gold watch. A year later he was given
a present Of $400.
In 1875 the Irish-Americans Of this
country started a movement for the
rescue of the six Fenian prisoners who
had been sentenced to the convict set
Element at Fremantle harbor. These
six men, because Of their activity or
supposed activity in the Fenian move
ment, had been transported to Austria
liza aboard one Of the old prison ships.
Among those prominent in perfecting
plans for. the rescue Of the Fenians
were John w. Goff, now New York
Judge, who, like many others, was
moved by the pitiful appeal sent to
this country by the men who had been
unable to accompany John Boyle o.
Reilly when the latter made his es-
cape. ....-
Looking about for ship, the agents
came across the Catalpa, lying on the
slip at East Boston. She was pur-
chased and Captain Anthony was en-
gagged to take charge Of the perilous
expedition.
From this point on Captain Antho-
ny. afterward told the story Of the ex-
pedition as follows: after nearly a
year at sea we reached our destina-
ton, the western coast Of Australia.
There had been on the ground at Fre-
mantle, sent on ahead Of us and play
ing the part Of a moneyed American
investor, John j. Breslin, who was to
manage the land end of the rescue. -
Long before the Catalpa had reach
ed the end of her years voyage Bres-
lin had communicated at great risk, his
plans and arrangements to the men
who were to make their escape. Fast
horses and traps were hired; revolv-
vers and rifles and long linen busters
to hide the convict clothes were in
the traps, and when all was ready the
dash was made from the road on
which the prisoners were at work.
"Breslin's final order dropped to the
convicts was: Get ready; we start to-
morrow morning. We have money,
arms and clothes. Let no mans heart
fail him, for this chance can never
come again.
1.-The crisis came at 7.45 in the even
ing. Three men in prison dress were
seen coming down the Rockingham
road. They proved to be Michael Har-
'rington, Robert Cranston and James
Wilson. 'Breslin shouted to them to
jump into Desmond's wagon, which
was on ahead. Desmond wheeled his
horses around and was ready to start
when the other three came in sight.
Breslin himself drove this team to-
ward these and found they were Mar
tin Hagan, James Darragh and Thom-
as Hassett
Then the daring rescue was on In
earnest. The two traps made quick
dash toward Rockingham. was down
on the beach, having landed the night
before with my whaleboat and a crew
Of splendid men. Down the beach
came the horses on a gallop. Breslin
was leading and the other team was
close behind. AS the prisoners jump
ed from the traps their long linen
coats blew open, showing their con-
Wet suits. In their belts each carried
two six-shooters. They seized rifles
from the buggies and then rushed for
the boat.
"'Pull away, boys!' cried. The boat
was not half mile from the beach
when a squad Of eight mounted police
galloped up bringing with them a
number of native bushtrackers. AS
we rowed out to the open sea the
waves were rising. told my men to
set sail. The seas commenced to tum-
BILE and toss the boat, threatening to
swamp her. felt that my only chance
lay in reaching the vessel that night.
Miles away the Catalpa was barely
visible.
Suddenly with, a crash our mast
went over the side. The boat nearly
capsized to windward, but threw her
head up to the wind and the quick
work of the crew kept her afloat. An
hour after sunrise the sea began to
calm a little and felt sure we could
board the Catalpa in short order when
right behind us was seen the guard
ship headed at full speed for the ves-
sci.
There's the guardboat, boys; pass
out the riflesI' shouted q sailor. Ev-