The Catalpa Escape - Paper Cutting 40 x 50cm (unframed) - larger sizes upon request

Irish compatriots, John Breslin and Thomas Desmond posed as a wealthy investor and carriage maker respectively and earned the trust of the local Fremantle people as they plotted the grand rescue of the Fenians from Fremantle Prison (then known as The Convict Establishment). Waiting until Perth's Regatta day, to ensure distraction, Breslin and Desmond whisked 6 Fenians away from a work party of labourers outside of the prison on two horse drawn carriages to Rockingham. There they meet the smaller whaleboat sent ashore by the whaler, The Catalpa, anchored between Garden Island and Rottnest Island. A storm ensued and the whaleboat was tossed upon stormy seas and consequently its mast was broken. Meanwhile the alert was raised and The Georgette representing Great Britain and a local Police Cutter set out to capture the escaping Fenians. Stormy seas helped to obscure the escaping men from view and at last after many hours at the wrath of the violent ocean the men scrambled safely aboard The Catalpa. The Georgette fired a cannon ball across the bow of The Catalpa and in retaliation The Catalpa raised the Stars and Stripes claiming any further action would incite an international incident. With that The Catalpa, turned tail and headed for freedom and the rest is, as they say, history. Actually it's all history - and what a ripping yarn!In January 1868 the last convict ship,The Hougoumont, sailed for Australia bound for the Port of Fremantle . She arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia with 62 Irish political prisoners on board, known as, The Fenians. The Hougoumont is a companion piece to this artwork originally commissioned by The Irish Society of Western Australia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the ship's arrival in Freo. The Hougoumont is also available in our online store as a paper cut, print and card.

A beautiful gift for beautiful people. This artwork is available as an archive print on beautifully textured water colour paper paper. Made here in my studio in Cottesloe Western Australia - feel free to come and visit to see other world and framing options - by appointment - contact Anne 0417 101 153.