RESCUE OF SIX FENIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 4, 5 June 1913, Page 6

RESCUE OF SIX FENIANS.

TALE OF'lf HE "SEVENTIES."

CAPTAIN ANTHONY'S EXPEDITION.

The brief cablegram from Xew York published last week announcing the death of Captain George Anthony, the rescuer of six Fenians from Fremantle penal colony in IS?G, conveyed little idea of the "daring nature of the rescue. An Auckland resident, familiar with the whole story, furnished- a Herald representative with hitherto unpublished details.

The six men in the penal colony at Fremantle had been transported as ''political offenders," but their friends thought —and as subsequent events proved, rightly so—that there was more scope for their ability in places other than a penal settlement. At last it was decided to send an envoy to New Zealand to canvass for funds amongst the Irish residents here. The envoy, a young draper, duly arrived, and after some time was successful in collecting, about £7500 amongst Irish residents 011 the West Coast towards the rescuing of the six men at Fremantle. Other sympathisers in New York were also communicated with, and instructed to select a trustworthy sea captain to take charge of a vessel to effect a rescue.

Captain George Anthony was selected for his pluck, daring, and proved ability. The whaler Catalpa was secured, and after she had been commissioned for the long voyage, Captain Anthony got together a crew of men who could, be relied upon to keep silent tongues, and, if need be, to put up a stout fight. The little vessel was well armed, and after all preparation had been made she set sail for Fremantle. After a lengthy voyage the stout little craft and her adventurous crew arrived off Fremantle. Boats were lowered and a party went ashore. The refugees were communicated with, and told to be in waiting at a certain spot some 30 miles distant at a given hour. A conveyance was procured, and the rescuing party set out on its, long drive. On the way the vehicle broke down, and the party had to make its way as best it could to the rendezvous..

At the appointed meeting-place the six men were found in waiting, and after another conveyance had been obtained rescuers and rescued returned to the coast and boarded the vessel.

In the meantime, however, the escape had been discovered, and the brokendown vehicle giving a clue as to the direction taken, a revenue cutter, primitively armed, was soon in hot pursuit of the well-armed whaler.

Seeing the approach of the cutter, Captain Anthony hoisted the American flag. When the cutter came up to him the officer in charge enquired of Captain Anthony' if the , missing men were on board. He was given an affirmative reply, but at the same time informed him that they were under the protection of the American flag, and that the "American dogs would bark fire and thunder unless the cutter soon made its departure."

Needless to say. the officer considered discretio'n-the better part of valor, 'and made his departure, while the whaler, with the rescued men, continued its voyage, and arrived hack safely in America. Subsequently, it is stated, several of those rescued rose to prominent positions in the United States. , It is also said that there are several residents living now on the West Coast who contributed to the daring rescue in 1876.