The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-14
EXCITING TRIP Of THE CATALPA
Captain Anthony Rescued Fenian
Prisoners From Australian Colony.


MS capacity as inspector of customs,
he fell down the hatchway and was
severely injured. His sight had fail
ed and he had been in poor physical
condition for some time.
To those familiar with Irish history
the name of Captain George S. An
thony, skipper of New Bedford whal-
ing vessels, recalls at once the career
of John Boyle O'Reilly and the rescue
by the ship Catalpa of six Irish po-
ltlcal prisoners from the convict set
tlement at Fremantle Harbor, south
western Australia, in 1876, when
the escape of John Boyle O'Reiliy,
who left Australia in an open boat
February IS, 1869, was still fresh in
the public mind.
News did not travel last 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 excitem ent, 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
1908, when he was presented with a
gold watch. A year later was given a
present of $500.
In 1875 the Irish Americans of this
country started movement for the
rescue of six Fenian prisoners who
tlement at F'remantle Harbor. These
six men, because of their activity or
supposed activity in the Fenian move
ment, had been transported to Aus
tralia aboard one of the old prison
ships. Among those prominent in per-
fecting plans for the rescue of the
Fenians were John w. Golf, now a
New York judge, who, like many 9TH
erS, was moved by the pitiful appeal
sent to this country by the men who
IN n
Boyle O'Reilly when the latter made
his escape.
Looking about for a ship, the agents
came across the Catalpa. lying on the
chased and Captain Anthony was en-
gagged to take charge of the perilous
expedition.
From this point on Captain Anthony
afterward told the story of the eXpe
dition as follows: after nearly
year at sea we reached our destination,
the western coast of Australia. There
had been con the ground at F'remantle,
part of q. moneyed American investor,
John J. Breslin, who was to manage
the land end of the rescue.
Long before the Catalpa had
Breslin had communicated at great
risk his plans and arrangements to
the men who were to make their
escape. Fast horses and traps were
n1red, reviewers ana rifles ana 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
tBreslin's final order dropped to
tomorrow morning. We have money,
arms and clothes. Let no mans heart
fail him, for this chance can never
occur again
no n-iC na al n
evening. Three men in prison dress
we're seen coming down the Rocking
nam road. They proved to be Michael
Robert Cranston and
lanes Wilson. Breslin shouted to them |
o jump into Desmond's wagon, which
vas on ahead. Desmond wheeled his |
horses around and was ready to start |
when the other three came in sight. |
3reslin himself drove this team to- |
ward these and found they were Mar |
in Hogan, James Darragh and Thos. |
1assett.
Then the daring rescue was on in |
earnest. The two traps made a quick |
lash toward Rockingham. 1 was down
before with my whaleboat and crew
IF splendid men. Down the beach
anne the horses on the ga1lop.
3reslin was leading and the other team
vas close behind. AS the prisoners
Jumped from the traps their long linen
,oats blew open, showing their convict
suits. In their belts each carried two
six shooters. They seized rifles from
he buggies and then rushed for the
BOAT.
Pull away, boys!' 1 cried. The
BOAT was not half a mile from the |
peach when 3 squad of eight mounted
police galloped up bringing with them
number of native buShtrackerS. AS
waves were rising. 1 told my men to
;et sail. The seas commenced to tum-
Die and toss the boat, threatening to
swamp her. I felt that my only chance
ay in reaching the vessel that night.
Miles away the Catalpa was barely
-isibIe-
suddenly with a crash our mast
vent over the side. The boat nearly
to windward, but [ threw her
head up to the wind and the quick
work of the crew kept her afloat. An
lour after sunrise the sea began to calm
L little and l felt sure We could board
he Catalpa in short order when right
behind us was seen the guard ship
headed at full speed for the vessel.
. There's the guardboat, boys: pass
,ut the rifiesI' shouted sailor. Every
nan grabbed a rifle and the crew put
new vigor into the oars. Two miles
rom the Catalpa the lookout at the
masthead made us out and our ship
vas seen to suddenly bear down on
Is. every sail set. For minutes it was
question whether the guard boat
would get us before we reached our
'hip. Had this happened there would
have been a fatal conflict.
I'VE won out. AS we got within hail Il
ng distance of the ship 1 shouted.
Run up the ensign and the stars and
stripes were run up to the peak. The II
whale boat was hoisted. As 1 stepped
,ver the rail the guardship swept II
lcross our bow. The officer in COM
nand accepted the result in good faith
nd after a Good morning and a II
military salute headed his craft back