The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-06-14
G0FF TELLS
OF CATALPA HERO
Pays Tribute to Captain Anthony
for Bravery in ,Fenian
Rescue.
Was One of the Organizers of the
Expedition That Proved
So Successful.
Thousands Who Never Knew the
Heroic Anthony Will Revere
His Memory.

LILO N1V11OAy.
The death at New Bedford, Mass,
of Capt. George S. Anthony but a few
weeks ago recalls to those familiar
with Irish history the career OF John
Boyle O'Reilly and the rescue by the
ship Catalpa of six Irish political pris-
oners from the convict settlement at
Fremantle Harbor, southwestern Au-
stralia, in 1S75-1S76. The escape Of
John Boyle O'Reilly, who had left Au-
stralia in an open boat February Is,
1869, was still fresh in the public mind.
News did not travel fast in those
days. Capt. Anthony's brilliant feat
in rescuing the men and in carrying
them off under the guns OF a British
man of war caused 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 fued in doing
so went without further reward un-
til 1908, when he was presented with
gold watch. year later he was
given a present of $400.
| In 1876 the Irish Americans of this
country started q movement for the
rescue Of six Fenian prisoners who
has been sentenced to the convict
settlement at Fremantle Harbor
These six men, because of their activ-
ity o. supposed activity in the Fenian
movement, had been transported to
Australia aboard one of the old pris-
on shipe. Among those prominent
! in perfecting plans for the rescue Of
the Fenians were John w. Goff, now
a New York Judge, who, like many
others, was moved by the pitiful APP
peal sent to this country by the men
who had been unable to accompany
John Boyle O'Reilly when the latter
made his escape.
Looking about for a ship, the agents
came across the Catalpa, lying in the
slip at East Boston. She was pur-
chased and Capt. Anthony was en-
gagged to take charge of the perilous
expedition.
From this point on Capt. Anthony
afterward told the story of the expe-
dition as follows: "After nearly q
year at sea we reached our destina-
tion, the western coast of Australia.
There had been on the ground at
/ F'remantle, sent on ahead Of us and
playing the part of moneyed Ameri-
can investor, John J. Breslin, who
was to manage the land end of the
rescue. Long before the Catalpa
had reached the end Of her years
voyage Breslin had communicated at
great risk his plans and arrange
ments to the men who were to make
their escape. Fast horses and traps
were hired revolvers and rifles and
vict clothes were in the traps, and
when all was ready the dash was
made from the road on which the
prisoners were at work.
"Bresln's final order dropped to
the convicts was: Get ready; we
start tomorrow morning We have
money, arms and clothes. Let no
mans heart fail him, for this chance
can never occur again."
1.-THE crisis came at 7:45 in the
evening. Three men in prison dress
were seen coming down the Rocking
ham road. They proved to be Mich
ael Harrington, 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
his team toward these and found
t they were Martin Hogan, James OAR
t ragh and Thomas 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 whaIeboat and
a crew of splendid men. Down the
beach came the horses on the gallop