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The Catalpa Rescue: The gripping story of the most dramatic and successful prison break in Australian history
The incredible true story of one of the most extraordinary and inspirational prison breaks in Australian history.
New York, 1874. Members of the Clan-na-Gael - agitators for Irish freedom from the English yoke - hatch a daring plan to free six Irish political prisoners from the most remote prison in the British Empire, Fremantle Prison in Western Australia. Under the guise of a whale hunt, Captain Anthony sets sail on the Catalpa to rescue the men from the stone walls of this hell on Earth known to the inmates as a 'living tomb'. What follows is one of history's most stirring sagas that splices Irish, American, British and Australian history together in its climactic moment.
For Ireland, who had suffered English occupation for 700 years, a successful escape was an inspirational call to arms. For America, it was a chance to slap back at Britain for their support of the South in the Civil War; for England, a humiliation. And for a young Australia, still not sure if it was Great Britain in the South Seas or worthy of being an independent country in its own right, it was proof that Great Britain was not unbeatable.
Told with FitzSimons' trademark combination of arresting history and storytelling verve, The Catalpa Rescue is a tale of courage and cunning, the fight for independence and the triumph of good men, against all odds.
New York, 1874. Members of the Clan-na-Gael - agitators for Irish freedom from the English yoke - hatch a daring plan to free six Irish political prisoners from the most remote prison in the British Empire, Fremantle Prison in Western Australia. Under the guise of a whale hunt, Captain Anthony sets sail on the Catalpa to rescue the men from the stone walls of this hell on Earth known to the inmates as a 'living tomb'. What follows is one of history's most stirring sagas that splices Irish, American, British and Australian history together in its climactic moment.
For Ireland, who had suffered English occupation for 700 years, a successful escape was an inspirational call to arms. For America, it was a chance to slap back at Britain for their support of the South in the Civil War; for England, a humiliation. And for a young Australia, still not sure if it was Great Britain in the South Seas or worthy of being an independent country in its own right, it was proof that Great Britain was not unbeatable.
Told with FitzSimons' trademark combination of arresting history and storytelling verve, The Catalpa Rescue is a tale of courage and cunning, the fight for independence and the triumph of good men, against all odds.
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2019
168 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Peter FitzSimons
85 books479 followersPeter FitzSimons is one of Australia’s most prominent and successful media and publishing identities. His busy professional life involves co-hosting the breakfast program on Sydney's Radio 2UE, writing weekly columns for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun Herald newspapers, appearing on Foxtel's Back Page television show and, when time permits, authoring best-selling books. A correspondent for London's Daily Telegraph as well, he is also in high demand as a guest speaker and presenter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 5, 2021
It took quite a while to get into this story---and I concluded that I don't like the author's writing style---his commentary on the way through, seemingly trying to show he's on good terms with the reader and he just knows what we want to read. Not this reader.
5/10
5/10
July 22, 2019
A thoroughly engaging and well-researched account of a less well known incident in Australia's history.
And this is not a dry account. It is easy to read, almost as though it is told by someone sitting around a campfire recollecting memories. Many references to documents, newspaper articles and letters bring the story to life. It is often told in the present tense to better involve the reader, and the reader is occasionally invited in to the story - e.g. "Ah. But look closer. See the glittering left eye of the distinguished gentleman inside the carriage closest to us." (P.37)
FitzSimons does a great job of describing the passion and determination of the Irish patriots, their despair when in the confines of Fremantle prison, and the persistent efforts of their compatriots in America who worked so hard to rescue them.
So many heroes, notably the American captain of the Catalpa, George Anthony, who was not bound by loyalty to Ireland, but in sympathy for humanity.
This was an incident of which I knew nothing.But I feel all the wiser for having read this book. Highly recommended.
And this is not a dry account. It is easy to read, almost as though it is told by someone sitting around a campfire recollecting memories. Many references to documents, newspaper articles and letters bring the story to life. It is often told in the present tense to better involve the reader, and the reader is occasionally invited in to the story - e.g. "Ah. But look closer. See the glittering left eye of the distinguished gentleman inside the carriage closest to us." (P.37)
FitzSimons does a great job of describing the passion and determination of the Irish patriots, their despair when in the confines of Fremantle prison, and the persistent efforts of their compatriots in America who worked so hard to rescue them.
So many heroes, notably the American captain of the Catalpa, George Anthony, who was not bound by loyalty to Ireland, but in sympathy for humanity.
This was an incident of which I knew nothing.But I feel all the wiser for having read this book. Highly recommended.
November 12, 2019
I think that the account of the actual rescue of the Fenian prisoners off the coast of Western Australia is the most exciting writing I have ever read. Peter Fitzsimons can stir up controversy, which is his stock-in-trade, but the formula he has developed to his books works like very few others. The fantastic research, which is part of the Fitzsimons' formula, is a feature of this book. The story of the Catalpa Rescue is so amazing that I am surprised that I didn't know about it before and I found this book about it to be completely absorbing and recommend it to anyone who likes a good yarn.
February 16, 2022
I was going to give it 4 stars until the last 4 pages of the epilogue. Pushed it to 5.
Fitzsimons's pace and ability to move between different subplots show why he is perhaps the best Australian non-fiction author around today. If you have been depressed by some of his other stories, this one might place a smile on your face; until those final 4 pages.
Erin go bragh!
Fitzsimons's pace and ability to move between different subplots show why he is perhaps the best Australian non-fiction author around today. If you have been depressed by some of his other stories, this one might place a smile on your face; until those final 4 pages.
Erin go bragh!
December 30, 2020
This is an interesting read about the Catalpa rescue of prisoners fighting for a free Ireland from Fremantle prison. It is a story not well known on the eastern side of Australia, but is well known over in WA.
The book is well researched and how they managed to pull this off is nothing short of a miracle. There were some quirks about the writing style that were a bit detracting but it is still something I would recommend to others.
The book is well researched and how they managed to pull this off is nothing short of a miracle. There were some quirks about the writing style that were a bit detracting but it is still something I would recommend to others.
March 26, 2020
This is a great story and well researched but I found the writing style very irritating!
May 19, 2023
Such an interesting story that I knew nothing about.
November 12, 2025
As an American I honestly don't know much about Australian history and only found this book after reading FitzSimons: Mutiny on the Bounty.
This true story is wild! I did not know that a significant portion of the convicts sent to the penal colonies in Western Australia were Irish political prisoners. I learned a lot about that history and because it is me I loved the maritime aspects. FitzSimon's is clearly a master of his craft.
This one is dense so probably not for the fair weather history reader but one that I enjoyed immensely!!
This true story is wild! I did not know that a significant portion of the convicts sent to the penal colonies in Western Australia were Irish political prisoners. I learned a lot about that history and because it is me I loved the maritime aspects. FitzSimon's is clearly a master of his craft.
This one is dense so probably not for the fair weather history reader but one that I enjoyed immensely!!
October 16, 2019
This book was fascinating. I was expecting it to be purely focussed on the escape of Irish political prisoners from Fremantle Prison but it includes so much information about Irish struggles and back stories of those involved in the rescue.
It was informative and interesting and I found myself emotionally attached to the characters.
It was informative and interesting and I found myself emotionally attached to the characters.
May 25, 2019
Excellent page turner from Fitzy. A gripping story that has all the elements of a classic prison break from a faraway land. A piece of Australian history that should be talked about a lot more now!
May 22, 2023
Excellent, my introduction into Peter Fitzsimons books, and i have not stopped reading them
May 4, 2025
How could I not love a book set in Fremantle and Rockingham? My three uncles live in Freo and I spent half my childhood down that way. I didn't know the Prison was "The Corporation" or that convicts went blind from breaking limestone rocks, but I do know all of Fremantle is built from those rocks.
The book is as long as a sentence of hard labour in Fremantle Prison, and I was bored by all the set-up of the history of the Fenians and how they ended up in Fremantle. But it's important to the story and listening to the audiobook made getting through it all easier. Once the Catalpa is Fremantle bound, and the nail-biting action of how they could possibly get away (again and again and again) was spectacular. I didn't know whether the rescue was successful or not, and it's good going in not knowing.
I couldn't stop laughing at "Rockingham Beach." Rockingham has a beach in the same way a bathtub is like an ocean. But you really should avoid the reef and treacherous currents around Garden Island, or not...
The author's previous book was about the Batavia. Having spent the other half of my childhood at the Maritime Museum, the ship's actual final resting place, I know that bloody story. I admit I didn't know everything until I took the kids to the Museum as an adult and I actually read the display signs. Back then, we ran wildly up and down the stairs surrounding the wreck, pretended to fire the cannons, and got told off for our non-museum-visiting-behaviour.
When I was a kid in the 1980s my friend's mother was studying marine archeology. My idea was that she was hauling cannons off the sea bed. In actuality, the wreck was recovered in the 1970s, but it took years to preserve the surviving timbers.
She was probably involved in this ongoing conservation, and I would have seen the wreck at the museum when it was first displayed (many, many, many times). I might hunt down Batavia to read next.
The book is as long as a sentence of hard labour in Fremantle Prison, and I was bored by all the set-up of the history of the Fenians and how they ended up in Fremantle. But it's important to the story and listening to the audiobook made getting through it all easier. Once the Catalpa is Fremantle bound, and the nail-biting action of how they could possibly get away (again and again and again) was spectacular. I didn't know whether the rescue was successful or not, and it's good going in not knowing.
I couldn't stop laughing at "Rockingham Beach." Rockingham has a beach in the same way a bathtub is like an ocean. But you really should avoid the reef and treacherous currents around Garden Island, or not...
The author's previous book was about the Batavia. Having spent the other half of my childhood at the Maritime Museum, the ship's actual final resting place, I know that bloody story. I admit I didn't know everything until I took the kids to the Museum as an adult and I actually read the display signs. Back then, we ran wildly up and down the stairs surrounding the wreck, pretended to fire the cannons, and got told off for our non-museum-visiting-behaviour.
When I was a kid in the 1980s my friend's mother was studying marine archeology. My idea was that she was hauling cannons off the sea bed. In actuality, the wreck was recovered in the 1970s, but it took years to preserve the surviving timbers.
"Between 1981 and 1987, the conserved hull timbers were reconstructed on a purpose-built frame utilising the original bolt holes where possible, which allowed for individual timbers to be removed for follow-up treatment." - https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/conser...
She was probably involved in this ongoing conservation, and I would have seen the wreck at the museum when it was first displayed (many, many, many times). I might hunt down Batavia to read next.
August 7, 2024
The Catalpa Rescue is a Historical Journalistic work by an Australian author, Peter Fitzsimons, and published in 2019.
In one sentence, this book is about a gallant prison break in Australian history.
A meticulously planned prison break in 1876 of six Irish political prisoners that were sent to Fremantle Prison (The Establishment), Western Australia, in 1868.
In around 700 years of English occupation of Ireland, England has done her own part of atrocities, and an Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed to fight against this. However, their attempts to fight the injustice had failed a few times and a number of Fenians (Irish rebels) were captured. Some of them were sent to as far as Australia for life. Along the years, a number of them got tickets to leave except the final six military Fenians who are considered the most dangerous ones. How to free them?
The answer involved an Irish mastermind, a whaling boat, an American captain, and many others that made the mission a success. A story intertwined amongst the English, Irish, American, and Australian history.
The first part of the book is quite a slow read, however, the rest read like an adventure thriller that kept you turning the pages. Having read a few historical work that is very black and white, Peter Fitzsimons writing style is definitely quite colourful. He put his own story-telling flair and chucklesome comments on a number of incidents and it just reminded me of my History teacher when I was in high school. History class was never boring with him and this book is no different.
Some of the lines I like:
"No amount of human liberty is worth shedding of a single drop of human blood."
"Sometimes, years of deprivation, of injustice, of cruelty, pile up on a man and when the dam wall breaks, pity help the other man who happens to be standing nearby."
"It has been a long haul, made all the longer in the last ten days by a gale blowing from the south-south-east that would blow a dog off a chain, the tits off a mermaid."
#peterfitzsimons #thecatalparescue #journalisticnonfiction #historicalnonfiction #historical
In one sentence, this book is about a gallant prison break in Australian history.
A meticulously planned prison break in 1876 of six Irish political prisoners that were sent to Fremantle Prison (The Establishment), Western Australia, in 1868.
In around 700 years of English occupation of Ireland, England has done her own part of atrocities, and an Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed to fight against this. However, their attempts to fight the injustice had failed a few times and a number of Fenians (Irish rebels) were captured. Some of them were sent to as far as Australia for life. Along the years, a number of them got tickets to leave except the final six military Fenians who are considered the most dangerous ones. How to free them?
The answer involved an Irish mastermind, a whaling boat, an American captain, and many others that made the mission a success. A story intertwined amongst the English, Irish, American, and Australian history.
The first part of the book is quite a slow read, however, the rest read like an adventure thriller that kept you turning the pages. Having read a few historical work that is very black and white, Peter Fitzsimons writing style is definitely quite colourful. He put his own story-telling flair and chucklesome comments on a number of incidents and it just reminded me of my History teacher when I was in high school. History class was never boring with him and this book is no different.
Some of the lines I like:
"No amount of human liberty is worth shedding of a single drop of human blood."
"Sometimes, years of deprivation, of injustice, of cruelty, pile up on a man and when the dam wall breaks, pity help the other man who happens to be standing nearby."
"It has been a long haul, made all the longer in the last ten days by a gale blowing from the south-south-east that would blow a dog off a chain, the tits off a mermaid."
#peterfitzsimons #thecatalparescue #journalisticnonfiction #historicalnonfiction #historical
April 16, 2024
Amazing story, extremely well-researched and told with a passion by FitzSimons. As a West Australian, I had only a very scant knowledge and understanding of the famed Catalpa story; this book really goes into the depth of it all, and demonstrates how profound and impacting the escape really was at the time, and how it was such a symbolic victory for the Irish independence movement right throughout the world. You could say that their historical struggle has been rather suppressed, and its reputation perhaps trashed by the latter behaviour of the IRA, but its a struggle worth knowing about, even if FitzSimons cheers it on a bit and plays down the Protestant /loyalist position.
September 11, 2022
Once I got used to the somewhat idiosyncratic writing style, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it! Whilst I must acknowledge that it involes a series of locations that I am very familiar with and hence instantly resonated with me, it is a very good story that moves alnong nicely. Also a very good and accurate historical tale that fills in a lot of the detail that for me was previuosly missing. Paints a very good if bleak, picture of the state of Fremantle, the southwest, and its status as a place at"the end of the earth" towards the end of the 1800s.
July 2, 2021
This book was very interesting given the prison outbreak was from Fremantle Goal. I really enjoyed learning more about the Irish and their history with England and about their punishments under the harsh penal system, many being sent to Fremantle. The support of American Irish was amazing and being in a republic was in contrast with the British yoke of the Irish in UK. The author has used his research to ensure the story is factually correct, but writes in a narrative style easy to read.
June 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Peter FitzSimons writing style is different to anything I've ever come across and I love the quirkiness of it! After reading Mutiny on the Bounty and laughing out loud in various parts, I was keen to give another of his books a go. I actually think I liked this one even more. It was a bit slow in some parts at the beginning but still really interesting. The chapters on the actual rescue were absolutely fascinating. It's mind blowing that this actually happened!
December 10, 2024
1876, Fremantle, Western Australia, the most remote prison in the whole of the British Empire. In a globally planned and executed endeavour, six prisoners break free, and embark on a whale ship, trying to desperately reach the shores of the United States.
Skilfully crafted to read as an exciting adventure story, but also supplying very well researched background history about the Irish struggle and the details of the lives of the men involved.
There was alot of history in this book I didn't know. But more valuable than just adding knowledge is to sometimes realise something you had always accepted to be true is perhaps not as factual as you thought.
This book was not as good as others I've read such as Mutiny on the Bounty and Captain Cook, by the same author, but then it's a different type of read completely. Looking through other subjects Peter FitzSimmons has published I'll certainly come back for the likes of Ned Kelly, Breaker Morant, and Gallipoli.
Skilfully crafted to read as an exciting adventure story, but also supplying very well researched background history about the Irish struggle and the details of the lives of the men involved.
There was alot of history in this book I didn't know. But more valuable than just adding knowledge is to sometimes realise something you had always accepted to be true is perhaps not as factual as you thought.
This book was not as good as others I've read such as Mutiny on the Bounty and Captain Cook, by the same author, but then it's a different type of read completely. Looking through other subjects Peter FitzSimmons has published I'll certainly come back for the likes of Ned Kelly, Breaker Morant, and Gallipoli.
May 23, 2019
Bloody good read
I have never read any of Peter's stories before but I am glad that I read this. A story set in my hometown I had never heard of it before . Peter's writing is so easy to read. He really knows how to hold your interest. The amount of research that has gone into the background is incredible.
I have never read any of Peter's stories before but I am glad that I read this. A story set in my hometown I had never heard of it before . Peter's writing is so easy to read. He really knows how to hold your interest. The amount of research that has gone into the background is incredible.
July 30, 2019
Quite a bit of history.....of course. But it had to many characters for me to follow. When I focused on O'Reilly or Devoy I did better. I was interested in how the tide of public opinion about these men changed so much after their connection to America was established and secured. A testament to the determination of one man and his convictions.
August 17, 2019
This was indeed a thoroughly engaging story with lots of suspense, made all the more fascinating in the knowledge that it is part of our Australian history. What is even more amazing is that this daring escape happened when sailing ships plied the seas and communications between countries took weeks! Well researched and written.
April 26, 2020
Kept me entertained for two weeks in lockdown, so thank you for that!! And thanks for the excitement, and thorough research into the Catalpa Rescue story, bringing, to my amazement, the story behind the song that my husband and I have been singing, [as we are Australian folk musicians] for the last 30 years. A real and exciting escape for all.
August 24, 2021
Such a good read. It's the first of PF's books that I've read and did not disappoint. The Irish history is also very informative, and the ties that bound the characters together were so strong.
If you like ocean-going history and mystery with a little nail-biting, this is a good one!
Lovers of West Aust history will froth this.
If you like ocean-going history and mystery with a little nail-biting, this is a good one!
Lovers of West Aust history will froth this.
November 2, 2024
Fitzsimmons is not a historian but a storyteller and this is a good yarn.I found his style annoying but as an attempt to increase reader involvement it seems to work but not for me.The escape of Irish convicts from Fremantle prison is largely unknown but exciting to read.My score indicates that a lot will like his approach.
March 27, 2025
This book covers an absolutely fascinating story about a complex prison break that took place in 1876. However, the brutal history between the British and Irish is also included as exposition, which was also very interesting as it was new information to me. I would recommend this to anyone who loves adventure and some good old fashioned revenge on the redcoats.
July 25, 2019
As with all Peter Fitzsimmon’s books - history brought to life. Having visited the Fremantle Prison in the daytime and nighttime and having been down in the tunnels, I found this book absolutely amazing.
December 28, 2020
I’m a simple girl. I see a book described as “the true story of one of the most extraordinary and inspirational prison breaks” that “splices Irish, American, British and Australian history together in its climactic moment” and I buy it immediately
January 16, 2021
An interesting insight into Fenian efforts overseas...it is an aspect of Irish History that is not covered in great depth in secondary schools.
Sending people the other side of the world was justifiable for people who were terrorists; but for stealing bread and other lower level charges?
Sending people the other side of the world was justifiable for people who were terrorists; but for stealing bread and other lower level charges?
September 5, 2022
Absolutely amazing true story. Lots of interesting stuff about Ireland’s fight for independence from the British. But the rescue of Irish convicts from the British prison in Western Australia is just incredible. Better than any action film.
January 5, 2023
What a tale! Patience, conspiracy, friendship, rebellion, determination, and dedication, from one side of the world to the other. It’s a great read and an amazing piece of Australian history. All the more sweeter for connectedness to my wild Irish heritage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews