Fenian Prison Break: A Legendary Escape from Fremantle

0:00150 years ago, six Irish phoenix pulled off one of Australia's boldest prison breaks from free mantle prison. These guys, military trained rebels fighting for Irish independence, have been shipped there after a failed uprising in 1867. A whaling ship called the Catalpa, bought for about $5,500 back then, sailed from the United States under the guise of a year-long hunt for whales. The plan kicked off when one prisoner smuggled a desperate letter to Phoenian leaders in America, including a guy who'd escaped the same prison years. Earlier, they organized the rescue over 10 years, timing it perfectly for Easter Monday in 1876 during Perth's big regatta, when guards were. Short staffed. The ship anchored off Rockingham, and spies sent signals from nearby towns like Bunbury. Locals and historians still buzz about it, calling it straight out of a movie, no one died, which made it legendary. The escapees, trusted enough for town jobs, bolted on horseback to a beach rendezvous,

1:03crammed 16 into a tiny robot meant for six, and rode, through a storm for 28 hours as authorities chased in a steamer. Pursuers fired a cannon and tried to block them, but the Catalpa captain raised the American flag, daring them to start a war. The ship slipped into international waters, sailing the prisoners to freedom in the US. Today, folks like Fremantle historian Margot O'Burn keep digging up fresh details. Renewed events, books and podcasts mark the anniversary, proving this tale of grit and hope still inspires, linking Irish roots to Aussie shores. Forever. Local news, powered by AI. This is Sydney News Today. I'm Cory with the story.