September 21, 2025 • 48 mins
In 1876, one of the most daring prison escapes in history set sail from Fremantle, Western Australia. The American whaling ship Catalpa was at the heart of the plot, masterminded by Irish Fenians determined to free their comrades from the brutal Fremantle Prison. With clever disguises, coded messages, and a nail-biting chase at sea, the Catalpa’s voyage became a legendary tale of rebellion, ingenuity, and defiance against the British Empire.
In this episode, we dive into the planning, the escape itself, and how this incredible story still resonates in both Australian and Irish history today.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
In this episode, we dive into the planning, the escape itself, and how this incredible story still resonates in both Australian and Irish history today.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
A strange, spiraling white light was spotted in the early
morning sky over Sydney, with even skeptical witnesses wondering if
it was a UFO. They were last seen on the
beach with a tall man and that's the best description
plice have ever had of it.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
More than seventeen years after Harold Holt disappeared into raging
surf at Chevy a Beach, his widow has finally revealed
his last romantic words docky, terrifying, mesmerizing.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
That's the way a number of Australians have described the
alleged encounter with the Yowi. It's time for the Weird
Crap in Australia podcast. Welcome to the week Crap in
(00:45):
Australia Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew sold this is episode
three hundred and eighty and I am of course joined
by Holly salt Hey. Now, before we get too deep
into the weeds, you may have been expecting the commentary episode,
but we had a little snaffoo with the commentary episode,
so you're get in a regular episode, so you win anyway.
So why am I apologizing? Why are you giving me shit?
(01:08):
Fictitious audience member who's only in my head and probably
doesn't really exist. And now sound wall just came down
and not this is just cursed. Episode three eighty is curse.
I think I think the fates are telling us not
to record anything for episode three eight. We should just
leave it blank. Well, of course that voice belongs to police,
(01:32):
all our researcher extraordinay, hey, who's not very happy with
the situation at the moment, but that's okay. This has
happened in the past where we have cursed episodes, and
three eighty seems to be one of those. So what
we always do have just in our back pockets here
is saying we call a floating script, which is saying
we can bust out in case of dire circumstances, which
(01:55):
is exactly what we've done today. The reason it is
a floating script is because.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Out about a boat.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Out of all the subjects that we cover, finally enough,
I really don't like colonial history, but Holly does. So
the floating script ended up being a colonial one where
it was like, oh, maybe next week, maybe next week,
maybe next week.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, and Holly just like, well, I'm taking the number
off the front of it and we'll use it if
we have.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
To, well, maybe next week has come, hasn't it. So,
ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to yet another
group of colonial sclly wags breaking out of prison, absconding
in a boat and headed to America. Holly take it away.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
By the mid eighteen sixties, the Fenian Brotherhood, also known
as the Irish Republican Brotherhood. It organized a rebellion against
British rule in Ireland. Following the defeat of the Fenian
Rising of eighteen sixty six, dozens of activists were arrested,
while some sentences were commuted. A group of Fenians received
law terms of transportation and arrived in Western Australia aboard
(03:03):
the convict ship Pogoml, disembarking in January eighteen sixty eight.
Among those transported were six men convicted of military treason
James Wilson, Thomas Darrah, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett
and Robert Cranston. Inside Fremantle Prison, these six were assigned
(03:25):
to external labour tasks due to their model behavior. They
worked on the CIA Jeddy, at the Comptroller's Residents and
in stone Quarries, and as a clergyman's messenger locations where
supervision was lighter. Over time, this marginal autonomy allowed them
to gain the trust of waders. Indeed, Cranston even acted
as a prison constable.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
It is remarkable that some of them had nearly completed
their sentences and would in short period have at their
liberty in prison. They conducted themselves so exceedingly well that
all of them won the opinions of the authorities. Accordingly,
it appears occupied the position of constables, one of whom
was in the content of the store's office, where he
(04:10):
had discharged his duty so well and acted with so
much a proof proprietory, that he was treated most liberally
by the prison authorities, and it is said, was allowed
to go in and out of the prison without the
usual pass Quote from The Western Australian Times, Friday, twenty
first of April eighteen seventy six, page two, freemantle Port topics.
(04:34):
Kind of a Shawshank redemption situation, isn't it? Where Andy
Duffrain is allowed to sort of freely come and go
as he sees fit to a certain extent, until he
inevitably has to escape, knowing that the prison will never
let him go. But that is really interesting to have
three sort of model prisoners be like six six, sorry,
(04:57):
six model prisoners being like, you know what, fuck it,
we're going, and we're going now because reasons bots you
gotta go.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
In the United States, former Finian John Devoy, deported from
Ireland by the British after a role in the Finian
activities in America, received a clandestine letter in eighteen sixty
nine from James Wilson in Freemantle Prison. The letter described
their grim conditions and pleaded for rescue. De Voi, already
an influential figure in the pro Fenian clan. Nagel launched
(05:30):
a fundraising campaign among the Irish American community and orchestrated
the purchase of the whaling bark Catalpa in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
I have just left from seeing the ship, the kapulta
forty miles out to sea. She looked splendid with every sale,
set a clear sky overhead and a calm sea beneath,
and the scene at parting was one we shall not
soon forget. We remained there till she was well out,
given three high cheers for the bark and her crew.
(06:02):
Not a man but ourselves had the least suspicion of
her true mission, and she is well on her way now.
But from the voyage of the COULTA. Peter Stevens, page
v III, I don't know Roman numerals. Eight. Thank you.
I appreciate that you left a Roman numeral in there,
expecting me to know what Roman numerals.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
When I say that it's part of the foreword, which
means it doesn't use Arabic numbers.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
That use Roman numbers or people get up my ass.
No one uses Roman numbers anymore at all.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
What did you just read?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Only because you force me?
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It's from a book and the book used it, so
people use it. The Catalpa set sail on April twenty ninth,
eighteen seventy five, with an intended whaling voyage that masked
its true mission. Captain George S. Anthony, a Quaker sympathetic
to the Fenian cause, commanded the ship while most of
his crew remained unaware of the scuplane. Over the following months,
(07:03):
the vessel hunted whales in the Atlantic, stopped in the Azores,
and recrued before setting course for Australia in November eighteen
seventy five.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Why he Anthony wondered, was I gambling after these Irish
and the cause which was not my own? To be shure,
they would be profited in it if it were successful,
but a British nourse or a cell if it weren't.
Why I continued to ask that answer would come so
(07:34):
Peter Stevens Age eight.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
At this point in time, the Americans had only just
finished going through their Civil War. But even in the
modern day, the Americans still don't have that greater love
for the British. Back in the eighteen sixties, if the
Irish Americans were like, hey, let's go after the British,
it'd be like, Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I don't think so well they did it. I mean
a small crew assisted, right, small voyage assisted for sure.
And of course the Irish and the British have a
very very complicated history. For very good reason.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
They crowdfunded the money to buy the boat.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
A boat. Do you have, like think about the think
about what an actual military naval engagement would look like
at that time? Yeah, boats exactly plural. You think one
boat stood much of a chance against the collective might
of the British navy in the eighteen hundreds.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yes, But even going back to history. During the Independence well,
the only reason the Americans won was because there were
crafty little bastards who snuck around in the dead of
night and stole the cannons. So sneaking one whaling boat
into British territory to steal their people back not outside
the realm of possibility.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
I will give you this. It's a nice little piece
of quiet undercover or a small clandestine operation to rescue
a couple of Irish prisoners. I will give you that.
I just don't think it is at the level of
the grand War of the Master and Commander that you're
(09:14):
trying to suggest that it is. I think I need
to re engage reasonable storytelling much more fun with you.
It's distorting history, is what you do.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Ridy dald I don't even remember saying that it would
be a Master in Commander scenario. I just assumed that
it was like this guy. They bought a six million
dollar boat, they went out, took a bunch of crew
that had no idea why they were outsailing other than
shoot that whale, and then fucked off to Australia to
go pick up six random guys. Meanwhile, through all this,
(09:52):
John Devoy sent agents ahead John Jay Breslin using the
alias James Collins and Thomas Desmond using the ilias Johnson.
Arrived in Fremantle in November eighteen seventy five. Breslin assimilated
into colonial society, gaining access to influential officials, including Governor
Sir William Robinson. Under the pretense of being an American investor.
(10:15):
He toured the prison under official escort and secretly assured
the six men that a rescue was being prepared. Desmond
acquired horses, traps, clothes, weapons, and even arranged to telegraph
links between Freemantle and Perth on the day of the
escape to draw out the amount of time they had
to run for it.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So just to recap here, these six men are part.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Of eighteen seventies IRA.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Yeah, you know, an Irish paramilitary group, right, maybe paramilitary
isn't the right word here in group insurgent group. So
they are so important to the cause that it is
worth buying a boat recruiting an American crew because as
(11:03):
you said, they would be more politically aligned with what
they were trying to do. Send the ship to Australia
to pick up these six guys because they're so important
it was so important about.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Them Irish Brotherhood. As far as I can tell, there's.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
A lot of money spent.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
When I was doing the research, I couldn't actually find
what role these guys played in the rebellion. So for
all I know they were masterminds, or all I know
they were the grunts. I'm assuming with all this effect masterminds.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
They kind have been grunts. They must have been higher
up within the organization.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Otherwise you wouldn't go to this much effort you want it.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
It's a ridiculous amount of time and money unless it's
Sometimes though, I think when it comes to this historical period,
boredom plays in things a lot, So perhaps they weren't
grunts and people were just fucking bored.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I want to go to Australia, what's a pretonspection use?
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Or I just want to be on a boat for
a bit, get away from.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
The wife, not that anyone's ever done that in history.
By late March eighteen seventy six, the Cattelpa anchored off Bunbury,
Breslin and Anthony met to firm up arrangements, settling on
Easter Monday, April seventeen as a designated day for the escape.
The site chosen for extraction was Rockingham, about thirty miles
(12:25):
south of Fremantle. Preparations ensured that telegraph lines would be down,
horses and traps in position, and a whale boat would
be ready offshore in international waters beyond this free monle limit. Thankfully,
international waters was still a thing way back then.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
It appears from the scan particulars we have been able
to obtain that soon after the prisoners had assembled for
work on Monday morning, simultaneously and in a manner that
any time would create no suspicion, a constable visited each
of the parties where the escapees were employed in various
parts of the out representing to the water in chart
(13:03):
that they were required to return to the prison to
enter upon other employment, and thereupon they were marked. Or
quote from the Inquirer Commercial News, Wednesday, nineteenth April eighteen
seventy six, page three, Escape of the Prisoners.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So you know in the movie where you have the
guys impersonating a guard who walks up to it with
like a forged note that says, let these guys go,
I owe you.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah. Typically they're wearing a janitorial uniform that they have
purchased beforehand.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Or a general suit. It doesn't quite fit.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, I do, yep.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
That's the point in the movie We're at Yep. On
the morning of April seventeen, the six men were already
at their labor posts before sunrise. At around eight am,
Cranston and Hassett working outside the prison walls, and Wilson
and Harrington, working near the Sea Jeddy, were involved in
a stage walkout. Cranston told water Booler that the superintendent
(14:01):
needed two constables to help move furniture at Government House.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
While most of the people of the Port of the
city were devoting their attention to the regatta. He left
the prison with a key swinging on his finger, proceeded
down to the South Jetty, where a party of convicts
quarrying dressing stone for doc purposes. He there accosted a
warder in charge of the men, informing him that the
Superintendent desired to him to ask for two constables Finians
(14:30):
to accompany him to Government House to assist in the
removal of some furniture. The warder demurred at first, but
being astured by the constable with the key on his
finger that the men would only be away a short time.
The warder, now thing doubting, allowed the two constables of
his party to proceed in accordance with what he considered
(14:50):
a verbal request from headquarters to perform a bona fide service.
It is reported that the Superintendent told the Chief Warder
that as the account of the store's office would be closed,
the prisoner Kreston was not to be let out that
day Monday. Consequence of this order, the man with the
key on his finger, whose name is Cranston, was searched
(15:13):
for but was not found. It then became known that
not only he, but a number of Fenian prisoners were missing.
Quote from the Western Australian Times, Friday, twenty first of
April eighteen seventy six, page two, freemantleport Topics.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Later Hogan painting on the Comptroller's residence and Darra acting
his messenger for the prison clergyman, also disappeared. Within an hour,
authorities realized that all six men had vanished.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Yesterday morning, six prisoners escaped from the works in different
parts of Fremantle. It has reported that they had conveyance
at hand to take them to Rockenham, where it is
stated a vessel was in waiting to take them away.
Nothing further is as present reported to us. The authorities are,
of course on the viv quote from the Western Australian Times, Tuesday,
(16:06):
eighteenth of April eighteen seventy six.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I love how, in order to see more posh the
paper has been throwing in French terms.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I think it's I mean, it's one of those things
when you look at the syntax of the English language
and even I mean you look at this all around
the world, when we don't have a word for something,
but another country does, we just take it exactly resume
you hear, nay, resume. A resume is a French word.
(16:37):
Over in Japan, the Japanese for ice cream is ice cream.
You'll find that, you know, language is ever a growing
and changing thing.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
So yeah, what's the quote three languages in a trench
coat ruffling through victims for spare linguistics.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
That sounds about right. Yeah, I'd agree with that.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Simultaneously, telegraph lines were come mounted. Police spotted multiple horse
drawn traps, two four wheeled two horse carriages, one two
wheel trap and a rider speeding along the road towards Rockingham.
Authorities captured the abandoned horses and traps, discovering prison hats,
a rifle and revolver cartridges, a bottle of wine, and
(17:22):
a woolen gun. Cover. Local settler James Bell rode into
Fremantle and reported spotting a whale boat manned by six
black men and a Yankee looking man which had loaded
some men at Rockingham and road off straor.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
So Yankee of course being the term for Americans outside.
So this is one of those weird ones, right, So
a Yankee is somewhere north yeah, US, North US, so
you know New York, yeah, Union, New York City, all
that sort of stuff. But outside of America, all Americans
(17:57):
are called yaks. Yeah right, because obviously it was a misunderstanding.
So you know, they met people from the North, they
met people from the South, and everyone got called Yanks.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Well you see the north one, so everyone must be
a Yankee.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Absolutely. Well, there you go. That's a very good point.
And then it was popular lot popularized with the song
Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Fun fact, Holly always thought it was Yankee because they
used to yank your leg Yankee chain when they were
talking to you, because she didn't understand what Americans were
and just assume there are a type of comedian I.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Will say this about Americans. I actually think they're pretty
forthright people. I don't think Americans are very pot at.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Deception, which is why it's surprising when one.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Is I think they're good at gas lighting, yeah, but
I don't think they're good at deception.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Steamrolling, not subtlety. Yeah. One of the escapees reportedly said,
let the traps go to hell and gave bell a
sovereign for his silence, which he then squandered and went
straight down to the cops.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
It is rumored, however, that's friendly hands and hants were
at work. But within a mile or so of Fremantle
it a spot appointed as a general rendezvous. There you
go another French word rendezvous. Changes of Remnant, lay in
readiness for them, and coach and say how I had
to switch back into the accent and I sort of
delayed there a little bit code switching, code switching, Yeah,
(19:19):
without riders to boot to convey them to Rockenham Vessels
supposed to be the United States warship Copulta was visible
in the opping to the south of Garden Island on
the previous day. It has suggested that as a result
of a well organized means of escape, plotted by agents
who have recently arrived in the colony. The rescue of
(19:39):
these men, who were the forlorn pope of the Irish
political prisoners, was the object of permission. Quote from the
Inquirer and Commercial News, Wednesday, nineteenth of April eighteen seventy six,
page three, Escape of Prisoners. And from that quote you
can imply that yes, these men were somewhat important to
their political movement.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Following this, the colonial government instantly mobilized the water police
boat under Coxsway Mills alongside the steamship Georgette under Superintendent Johnstone,
a major finery. The Georgette carried eighteen costumed pensioners, police officers,
extra coal and small arms just in case they had
to do a chase. The aim was to intercept both
(20:21):
the whaleboat and the Cataalpa at sea. The police boat
followed the coast towards Sulfur Bay and beyond, sighting the whaleboat,
disappearing under Dune's near Garden Island, before returning to Fremantle
around midday to rendezvous with the Georgette. The first outing
failed to intercept the whaleboat, which reached the Cataalpa beyond
sight of the pursuing authorities. That evening, around eight PM,
(20:44):
the police boat rediscovered the Catalpa about nine miles off draw.
Mills attempted to close in, but Katalpa interposed itself as
the escapees now aboard the whale boat lambered up her
sides under the protection of its lines. Police warnings to
allow the boat to part us were ignored. Mills judged
resistance would be suicidal and returned to Fremantle. Just after
(21:07):
eleven PM, the Georgette steamed out again. After re arming
and refueling through the night and into the dawn of
the eighteenth of April, it pursued the Catalpa, closing to
within a quarter mile by around ten am on April nineteen.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
About eleven o'clock in the evening, Major Finity, with a
strong detachment of prisoners and let us Hope an adequate
supply of ammunition, accompanied by the Superintendent of Water Police
under the Water Rats Holly, went to see in the
asss Georgette, as it was thought that, as the wind
had remained light, that the vessel might be intercepted a
(21:41):
short distance off the coast. The Georgette, however, arrived at
tree Mantle five o'clock yesterday afternoon at minus the escape ease,
she fell in company with the Capulto off the Murriam
and announcewered to an inquiry the chief officer of the whaler.
A short hour. Pursuer was that she was awaiting the
arrival of the captain, who had gone to Fremantle in
one of the ship's of boats, and that the escapees
(22:04):
were not on board. To the integratory whether he ejected
to the examination of the vessel, the mate in true
Yankee Lingo replied, I guess you'd better not try to
come alongside inquiring commercial news Wednesday, nineteenth of April eighteen
seventy six, page three, Escaping Prisoners. I don't know why
is Georgian. I just decided that because the boat's called
(22:26):
the Georgette, that every American on board was Georgian, and
saw they need to talk with a thick molests. They're
so very hot today.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You're getting your accents worked out today. We're just going
to stick you in an Irish quote and you'll be good.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
I think I need to go and get Marshselle a
delicious a mint jeweler on this very very hot day
and then Joy marself from Kentucky saying, now, what's the
difference between a Georgian and a Kentucky.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Look to me, anything that's south of Virginia is just southern.
And then you have Florida, which is like being New
York in my brain.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
You're seeing because the accent it slowly changes the more
south you go into something a little bit more like this, and.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Then you get to New Orleans and it changes into Cajon.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Oh, I'm not doing Cajun at all.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
No one can actually do Pagian unless they were born.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Case except the voice actor for Garment. Yeah, because I
think that guy does pretty well. Now I'm not doing
not even going to attempt that, especially because you know
my Texan very quickly just turns into Kentucky. Well, in
my opinion, it just turns into Matthew McConaughey from Days
and Confused Alt. That's what I like about high school girls.
(23:40):
I keep getting older, they stay the same. Aide the
older he gets, he's getting more of a lisp in
his voice. It's getting harder. And then when it comes
to doing a Northern I just I start with the
phrase Melbourne, you know what I love you aasi's I
(24:01):
come down here all the time, and I really love
hanging out in Melbourne. It's Californian, I don't think so.
I think California is more valley girl beach bum, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
No, I'm sure what you're doing with California. We have
a lot of American listeners, don't you can let us know.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I don't think so, Holly. I think this is a
typical American accent, which I think is very much informed
by the performance of Christian Bale and the wonderful film
American Psycho. Do you ever listen to Huey Lewis in
the news. My favorite part is when Jared Leto gets
(24:39):
hacked to pieces in that movie. Fuck thirty seconds to
Mars and fuck Jared Letto. I wanted to see tron Aries.
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Now back to the show.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
The Georgette fired a warning shot across the whaler's bow
and Superintendent Stone boarded the quarterboat to confront Captain Anthony.
Stone demanded the surrender of the prisoners, declaring the authority
of the Governor.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I declare, on behalf of the Governor, that you shall
release the Wow, it just turned into George and I
meant to do British thing to say all the voices.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
That accent just swapped sides halfway through.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
I demand the release of all prisoners into the custody
of Her Majesty the Queen, because she's feeling a little amorous.
Years get that Danny captain off my ship.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I was gonna correct you, but I actually think it
was Queen Victoria because she was on the throne for
like eighty years and died in nineteen pens.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's Vicky.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Anthony responded by pointing to the American flag and insisting
that Catalpa lay in international waters, so basically, go fuck yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Our say, sir, does that not go you the proud
nation of America in that flag? Boy, When I see
that flag, I'll get the biggest erection. I get the
biggest erection when I see those stars and straps. It's
not all that soft cottons printed on. And you will
(27:05):
not take those lovely boys from my hip, sir. When
you see that big, beautiful flag sitting up there, Sir,
I don't care if the Magistate wants another six Irish
sex boys. I do not care, Sir.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
I was going to tell you off for doing a caricature,
and then I'm like, no, that is actually how some
Americans would feel looking at the stars and stripes.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
So oh, can't you sing blah blah blah blah.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Yeah, it's the only other country whose national anthem, I
actually fucking know which is.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Ristigue creterinary fucking movie. Yeah, we all have constitutions, we
all have flags. Fuck off and like.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
A lot of Americans, I can sing maybe the first
three line. Several minute exchanges followed. Anthony refused boarding, asserting
that any seizure would constitute violation of US sovereignty and
possibleses belt, which would be a declaration of war. Wow,
so they really wanted to get these gusts back.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
It is supposed that the captain of the whale, of
viewing the movements of the steamer, is dodging alongshore awaiting
a favorable opportunity to board. Meanwhile, the water Police bird
is prosecuting an active search along the coast. It was
rumored late last night but the authorities had determined to
again dispanse the George Jet in an effort to capture
the runaways. Quote from the Inquiring Commercial News Wednesday, nineteenth
(28:32):
of April eighteen seventy six, Paint three Escape of the Prisoners.
Once again, Australia becomes the center of a diplomatic incident
between the US and the British and the US and
China and the UA. Oh wait, you know, you know
what I think, I know what the problem might be.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Don't forget there was also the British and France, Britain
and Dutch, Britain and German, so both of them are
the problem here, don't worry.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Do you ever think coming on perhaps us, the British
colonial lists who seemed to impose our will of everyone,
do you think perhaps we might be the problem? Nine?
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Cousin?
Speaker 1 (29:13):
Wow, I suppose. Yeah it was Germany that was his cousin,
wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
Yeah, they were all cousins like. It was one big
family that ran the fucking word.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
I said this before, and you get uppitty about this,
the Royal British family a bunch of incest babies.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Because it wasn't just the British, it was all of them.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Sure, they're all incest babies.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
But the more and more that I think about, yeah,
it is just one big family fit, one big family
playing risk, like two hundred years before the game was
fucking invented.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Well, cousin, as you can see, and I have beaten
you once again in Chest nine. Send out the Panza
tanks like fuck. That's basically what it boils down to
see the rich of being in control for a very
long time.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
And then you had all the guys from the east,
the Chinese families of Taiwan, these families of Japanese families.
They then started getting in on it, and that's when
World War two brooke.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Outs like I'm sorry, look at King Charles. There are
definitely some there's some repeating of genes there if that
is the height of British genealogy.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Huff Astonished at Anthony's calm defiance and without legal grounds
to board, Stone offered fifteen minutes to reconsider. Then he
maintained he was in international waters and gave no prisoners.
Stone threatened to fire on the Catalpa. Anthony said he
didn't care, affirming American protection.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
So I will wrap myself in that flag and it
is bulletproof, because that's how much I believe in these
United States are now go along, you go get now.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
Facing potential international incident, exhaustion of coal, and orders not
to breach maritime law, Stone withdrew the Georgette returned to
Fremantle around four pm that no that action was taken.
The governor publicly thanked his forces and released the Georgette
from further operations. Meanwhile, the Catalpa sailed southward, effectively clear
(31:11):
of pursuit, and headed directly towards New York via the
Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Upon its arrival in New York
on the nineteenth August eighteen seventy six, almost four months
after the escape, the ship was greeted by massive cheering
crowds and Irish American celebrations.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And then the American police rocked up and beat the
fuck out of the Irish people or celebrating fifty to
fifty chances say before, isn't racism interesting? Because if you
weren't the right kind of white as well, the police
would beat the fuck out of you too.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
White, not white enough, the wrong kind of white, the
wrong speaking kind of white.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
It's good to see me, brothers have come back all
the way from Australia. I'm feeling very very proud and
very Irish right now.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Why are you Gaelic? Fuck?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Why you hit me on my head?
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And that's probably a recreation of a lot of those confrontations.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
The other day. You were only at the church. That's
right now, I'm a paddo police officer and I'm beating
the fuck out of my own fuck you whack, whack, whack.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
The six men immediately became celebrated heroes among the Irish nationalists.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Major Infinity again proceeded on board with a party of
pensioners under mister Juno Jonathan Stone. About eleven pm started
a second time in chase of the Capulta. An overhauling
her to the southward compelled her to heave too by
firing one shot over her bow, and when the captain
was asked if he had the prisoners on board in
(32:48):
the meantime, he had holed up the American flag and
denied that he had anyone except Americans on board. He
ultimately confessed the escape prisoners were there, but refused to
give them uponers came on the deck of the Capoulta
and were recognized. Cranston was amongst the number in the
prison constable's dress with the stripe on the arm. The
(33:08):
Georgette again returned with down the prisoners, and it is
reported the government does not intend to send out after
them again. It appears a person who had been stayed
for a short period in Moonne's hotel no was known
there as Collins, provided clothing for the Fenian prisoners and
hired traps and horses to convey them away. Another man
(33:29):
named Jerons, though never seen speaking to Collins, had lodged
at a different hotel. It is also connected with the
affair that all have got away together. The traps and
horses were turned boose in the bush and afterwards were
covered in one of the traps. A revolver and one
hundred rounds of cartridges were found. Quite from the Western
Australian Times, Friday twenty first of April eighteen seventy six,
(33:50):
page two freemantle Port compics.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
The incident produced both diplomatic embarrassment for Britain and colonial authorities,
as well as moral uplift for Irish nationalists worldwide. British
officials in Western Australia reportedly acknowledged national security fatelings. Governor
Robinson was quoted as stating that the six men were
now the problem of some other nation now that they
(34:14):
were safely overseas. Colonial sentiment in Australia was mixed. While
authorities condemned the escape, public sympathy leaned towards the Fenians,
fewed as political rather than criminal prisoners. Widespread atmosphere of
respect for underdogs was palpable. In Fremantle, crowds gloated at
the authority's failure, public wages fluctuated on whether a second
(34:35):
attempt to intercept would occur, and drunken cheers broke out
on the jetty as the Georgette returned empty handed. Because
Australians are.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Dicks, the Home Government have themselves to blame for escapees
with this description. As there is now no doubt as
to the necessity for men of work cruiser being always
on our coast, it may possibly be deemed prudent to
station one here to prevent a repetition of this unparalleled
piece of Yankee in impudence. The Western Australian Times, Friday,
(35:06):
twenty first of April eighteen seventy six, Peach two Freemantle topics.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
The scheme's success owed much to the coordination between da Voi, o'railey, Breslan,
Desmond Antony, and the Finian prisoners themselves. O'Reilly, who narrowly
escaped deportation himself, advised du Voi to avoid direct assault
on the prison. Instead, he conceived of the whaling ship Ruse,
a plan later adopted and brought to life Breslan's infiltration
(35:33):
as Collins enabled extraordinary planning. He accessed official inner circles,
arranging vehicles and horses, planned communications, sabotage, and insured a
stage to escape, timed with the Yacht Club brigatta, a distraction,
ensuring light guard coverage. Desmond's logistical efforts cemented the ground
phase as execution each phase ship procurement, intelligence gathering, infiltration, communications, sabotage,
(35:59):
prisoner walkout, boat rendezvous, maritime chase, diplomatic standoff, and finally,
the safe voyage was executed in tight coordination and timing
under international maritime law. Anthony's banners of the stars and
stripes and adherence to territorial sovereignty were decisive. Authorities lacked
legal grounds to board the Georgette two munitions limited and
(36:21):
shy of legal breach, stood down. In the aftermath, the
men lived out their lives abroad. James Wilson settled in
Rhode Island, meeting Emmon de Valier in nineteen twenty before
his death in nineteen twenty one. Desmond eventually served as
San Francisco Sheriff in eighteen eighty to eighteen eighty one.
Captain Anthony became the new Bedford Port Inspector Bresiln's daughter
(36:45):
was born in Sydney, though he remained a figure cloaking
intrigue and did not return to a strike for the
last couple of Easters. Since twenty twenty three, the Rockingham
community has gathered for the Catalpad Benure Festival, a weekend
celebration of heritage, culture and remembrance. This festival brings the
story to life through theatrical reenactments, Irish music, dancing, Gaelic sports,
(37:08):
and themed food and craft markets. Highlights have include stage
performances tracing the journey from Fremantle Prison to Rockingham beat,
helping both young and old engage in the Tale of
eighteen seventy six. The event has grown into a vibrant
annual tradition, reinforcing awareness of the escape within Lessen Australia.
As part of the festival, the Catalpa Dash, a themed
(37:30):
physical challenge, has become a defining feature. Participants done period
style or themed costumes and undertake a long distance run
or walk or ride that mimics the Fenian Flight Park.
For example, in twenty twenty four, a thirty kilometers cycle
trace the route from Fremantle to Rockingham, allowing participants to
physically reenact the escape's momentum and experience a slash of
(37:52):
the historical journey. They've basically become Civil War reenactors for
this one particular theme.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
I mean, I always love it when rea actors decide
to re enact the funnier parts of history as opposed
to the more serious ones. So I do like that
this little funny international incident is still recalled in humorous fashion,
you know. I think that's kind of wonderful. I like
that the fact that they keep that tradition up.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
I'd much rather watch someone trying to vate authorities running
to the beach than I would someone reenacting shooting people.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Oh, I totally agree with you. It's kind of crazy
how often colonial Australia did get involved in international domestic
international disputes, isn't.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
It Castle Hill Rebellion? Yeah, this breakout, the Catalpa, the
Frederick when they took a runoff to Chile. Yeah, what
can you think of?
Speaker 1 (38:46):
I think you've probably mentioned most of the bigger ones.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
There was the ship with two names. I can't remember
what it was, but it actually had American rebels on
board that were sent here.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
There were definitely issues as well, when you know, between
the French and the British, and we got involved in
that as well some constantly. You know. Well, my namesake
Soul actually comes from a French convict who was arrested
(39:17):
and imprisoned in America.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Yeah. He spent time and I think it was North Carolina, I.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Believe, and then eventually ended up in Australia and the
Australian convict colonies. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
Because you've got in so much trouble, they're like, funk
off out to here, anyone, I'll go to Australia.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Yeah, because souls a particularly rare name around the world,
funnily enough, so a double L. And I'm not biologically
a soul. That is the name of my father's stepfather.
So but that being said, I am the only Matthew
Soul in the country.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yes, yeah, there's only like eight of us, and I
think two of you have lost your name through marriage.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah. Well my sister has already, yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Which means that her kids are not. So it's you, me,
your brother, yeah, oh and in your stepmother that's it.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Yeah. Five yeah, five of us. But that's okay what
his inner name, Holly would arose by any another name
smell not as sweet?
Speaker 2 (40:19):
Are you seriously quoting Shakespeare at me badly?
Speaker 1 (40:23):
It was probably no. I keep thinking I always butcher
that other quote as well. There what is it? There
are more wonders than in your small mind? Horatio or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
I'll think about it and you could go.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Yeah, it's not important. I don't know Shakespeare quotes very well, Doff,
this is mother and ner. They'll wearreth her draps.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Shakespeare.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Well, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you enjoyed that. Yes, you
did get four mainline episodes. This week. We're going to continue.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
As normal, so all week, I think you mean this month.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
This month going to continue with our normal schedule. So
in October we're going to go back to doing at
least one commentary. That commentary will be horror inspired. If
there is a particular horror film you would like us
to do it commentary track for I'm going to go
out on a limb here and I'm gonna guess it's
going to be Wolf Creek.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
I mean, we've covered so much Wolf Creak, Like, I
don't really want to turn this into the Wolf Creek Podcast.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
I would probably like to revisit Lake Mungo actually, that'd
be a good one. I'm actually because we watched it
last year, I don't remember much of it. You watched
it for the first time last year. I think it's
a great Australian horror film. It's it's just about to
get an Umbrella Fork re release, I believe so. I
think it's a fantastic film and it's definitely one that's
(41:45):
worth watching again. So that might be the commentary track
as we move into spooky season.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
That sounds good. I think we might lock that one in.
We'll see yes.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
And for all of you Gangland warphans, we are about
to start our Lawyer X series, which is going to
be filled ladies and gentlemen with a sexy, sexy sex.
Except Holly doesn't like that, so she cut all those
bits out.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
Oh I'm gonna go put it all back in just
to you.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
I think the audience wants the tenilation.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
It included one of them one because that was the
big one.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Like she has this woman had a reputation for betting
everyone on every side all the time while representing criminals,
while leaking shit to the police. And you're like, nah,
nobody wants this stuff.
Speaker 2 (42:36):
They want the history. They don't want the titillation. They
want titillation. They could just go watch fucking.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Why I on the entertainment side, on the.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
History side, man, tell me what entertainment you need, because
I'm just like, this is all fascinating.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Weird crap in Australia was just up the holly. It
would be like and on the eighteenth of the eighteen
hundred eighty eight, and and this happened, and then this happened,
and that was interesting, and this happened, and this happened, this,
and it happened, and then you know, you gotta excite
(43:11):
the fans. Man, they want the interesting. They want that.
We have you, yeah, to keep you on.
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Track, to keep everyone else awake.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we will let you go with that.
Don't forget if you'd like to reach out to us
and let us know what horror movie we should cover.
Otherwise it's kind of default to latemongo. You can shoot
us an email weekrap in Australia at gmail dot com.
If you'd like to find us on social media, just
type in week Crap in Australia into the search bar
of your social media of choice. We should pop up
if you would like to support us, you can in
(43:42):
a couple of different ways. Don't forget we're independent. There's
just two of us, and Patreon really helps us out.
For only five dollars us D a month, you get
access to bonus episodes, minisodes, and anything else free we
can chuck your way. These episodes were always also released
completely ad free, so if you fucking hate it as
we can give you a feed just for you that
(44:03):
is completely and free. Through Patreon. You can also pick
up our book series Volume one, two, six are available
now from our great mates at impatcomics dot com dot au.
The silly season is coming up. These books make great
gifts for the historian in your life. They're not too dance,
they're fun. It covers a wide range of history, and
if I don't say so myself, they're actually pretty well written.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
If you get all six of them from Impact Comics,
leave them a note and we will go in and
sign all six of them for you.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
You know what, fuck it At the moment, it's really
tricky for small businesses to make any sort of profit
in this current climate. Between now and December, if you
want an autograph on any book you purchase, shoot them
an email. When you make your purchase, let them know
we will stop down and we will sign your books
for you, any.
Speaker 2 (44:48):
Book we wrote. I'm not going to sign a copy
of a new Superman.
Speaker 1 (44:52):
Also sign a copy of Superman. If you want me
to go sign a copy of Superman? What's this, Matthew?
Is Matthew Sole's signature on this Superman not written or
illustrated or have anything to do with him, but he
signed it, I'll sign it.
Speaker 2 (45:05):
They might even have still a copy of Killary if
you want to want a Mattheuse Comics.
Speaker 1 (45:08):
I think they sold one recently. Actually, yes they did.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
I remember seeing that. Yeah, but I'm going to check
their levels on Killary while you do the rest of
the spill.
Speaker 1 (45:17):
Well, we can't. We can't order any more of that
anyway because I don't known that.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
So it's out of prince.
Speaker 1 (45:23):
So if you want one, happy to sign anything you
put in front of my face, ladies and gentlemen. But yes,
if that incentivizes you to check a few dollars towards
mail and the team that impact comics, I will absolutely
sign anything that you purchase between now and December. Don't
forget they make great Christmas presents. They really do because
they're fun for their historian in your life. If you
(45:44):
want to grab it yourself some merchandise or or a
T shirt, you can head to our Tea public and
Red Bubble sits Again. Just type in Weird Crap and
Australia into the search bar, and if you miss any
of those links, don't forget. They're all on the Facebook
page as well, just for you. Well, adies and gentlemen.
That is there for us for another episode of week
Crap in Australia. And is that custom we give Holly
the final words.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Two Impact Comics has two copies of Killer Roy left,
so if.
Speaker 1 (46:09):
You want grab them quick.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
There are more things in Heaven and Earth Horatio that
exist within your philosophy.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
That's the one. Thank you very much, Holly for helping
me tell.
Speaker 2 (46:19):
Me a long time to remember that. I didn't even
have to google. I just had to sit there and
think about it. Unfortunately, I studied Macbeth when I was
in high school, so I actually know that one better.
Speaker 1 (46:28):
We saw Macbeth at the Globe in.
Speaker 2 (46:31):
London the last showing of the season.
Speaker 1 (46:33):
Because ladies and gentlemen, we are very vertic cult shit right.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
And we were smart enough not to stand out in
the earth.
Speaker 1 (46:40):
I think it's it's funny too, like our life is.
You know, someone could turn around and say, oh, you know,
they are a leader of snobs. And we've been accused
of that before, believe it or not. We had some
asshole on Facebook accusers to being a leader. So I
was like, dude, I'll work at a fucking supermarket.
Speaker 2 (46:54):
Man, how can I be a leader?
Speaker 1 (46:55):
Because you know, I'm not very elitist, so don't have
an education slightly education, but I only have my year
twelve and a couple of trade certificates. I'm not particularly
what you would call an Elita snob. But then I
turn around and say, we go to the Globe Theater
in London to watch the last season's performance of Macbeth.
But at the same time I also went to a
(47:16):
Waji Island to go to the Godzilla years.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
I am read balances.
Speaker 1 (47:20):
So you know I like all pop culture. Anyway, Ladies
and gentlemen, that's it for me. Please stay safe, be
kind to each other, especially in hostile times that we
live in, and we will see you all next week
for more week crap in Australia. Until then, goodbye for now.
Speaker 2 (47:34):
Hey.
Speaker 1 (47:49):
The Weird Crap In Australia podcast is produced by Holly
and Matthew Soul for the Modern Meltdown. If you've enjoyed
this podcast, please rate and review on your favorite pod
catching app.
A strange, spiraling white light was spotted in the early
morning sky over Sydney, with even skeptical witnesses wondering if
it was a UFO. They were last seen on the
beach with a tall man and that's the best description
plice have ever had of it.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
More than seventeen years after Harold Holt disappeared into raging
surf at Chevy a Beach, his widow has finally revealed
his last romantic words docky, terrifying, mesmerizing.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
That's the way a number of Australians have described the
alleged encounter with the Yowi. It's time for the Weird
Crap in Australia podcast. Welcome to the week Crap in
(00:45):
Australia Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew sold this is episode
three hundred and eighty and I am of course joined
by Holly salt Hey. Now, before we get too deep
into the weeds, you may have been expecting the commentary episode,
but we had a little snaffoo with the commentary episode,
so you're get in a regular episode, so you win anyway.
So why am I apologizing? Why are you giving me shit?
(01:08):
Fictitious audience member who's only in my head and probably
doesn't really exist. And now sound wall just came down
and not this is just cursed. Episode three eighty is curse.
I think I think the fates are telling us not
to record anything for episode three eight. We should just
leave it blank. Well, of course that voice belongs to police,
(01:32):
all our researcher extraordinay, hey, who's not very happy with
the situation at the moment, but that's okay. This has
happened in the past where we have cursed episodes, and
three eighty seems to be one of those. So what
we always do have just in our back pockets here
is saying we call a floating script, which is saying
we can bust out in case of dire circumstances, which
(01:55):
is exactly what we've done today. The reason it is
a floating script is because.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Out about a boat.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Out of all the subjects that we cover, finally enough,
I really don't like colonial history, but Holly does. So
the floating script ended up being a colonial one where
it was like, oh, maybe next week, maybe next week,
maybe next week.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Well, and Holly just like, well, I'm taking the number
off the front of it and we'll use it if
we have.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
To, well, maybe next week has come, hasn't it. So,
ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to yet another
group of colonial sclly wags breaking out of prison, absconding
in a boat and headed to America. Holly take it away.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
By the mid eighteen sixties, the Fenian Brotherhood, also known
as the Irish Republican Brotherhood. It organized a rebellion against
British rule in Ireland. Following the defeat of the Fenian
Rising of eighteen sixty six, dozens of activists were arrested,
while some sentences were commuted. A group of Fenians received
law terms of transportation and arrived in Western Australia aboard
(03:03):
the convict ship Pogoml, disembarking in January eighteen sixty eight.
Among those transported were six men convicted of military treason
James Wilson, Thomas Darrah, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett
and Robert Cranston. Inside Fremantle Prison, these six were assigned
(03:25):
to external labour tasks due to their model behavior. They
worked on the CIA Jeddy, at the Comptroller's Residents and
in stone Quarries, and as a clergyman's messenger locations where
supervision was lighter. Over time, this marginal autonomy allowed them
to gain the trust of waders. Indeed, Cranston even acted
as a prison constable.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
It is remarkable that some of them had nearly completed
their sentences and would in short period have at their
liberty in prison. They conducted themselves so exceedingly well that
all of them won the opinions of the authorities. Accordingly,
it appears occupied the position of constables, one of whom
was in the content of the store's office, where he
(04:10):
had discharged his duty so well and acted with so
much a proof proprietory, that he was treated most liberally
by the prison authorities, and it is said, was allowed
to go in and out of the prison without the
usual pass Quote from The Western Australian Times, Friday, twenty
first of April eighteen seventy six, page two, freemantle Port topics.
(04:34):
Kind of a Shawshank redemption situation, isn't it? Where Andy
Duffrain is allowed to sort of freely come and go
as he sees fit to a certain extent, until he
inevitably has to escape, knowing that the prison will never
let him go. But that is really interesting to have
three sort of model prisoners be like six six, sorry,
(04:57):
six model prisoners being like, you know what, fuck it,
we're going, and we're going now because reasons bots you
gotta go.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
In the United States, former Finian John Devoy, deported from
Ireland by the British after a role in the Finian
activities in America, received a clandestine letter in eighteen sixty
nine from James Wilson in Freemantle Prison. The letter described
their grim conditions and pleaded for rescue. De Voi, already
an influential figure in the pro Fenian clan. Nagel launched
(05:30):
a fundraising campaign among the Irish American community and orchestrated
the purchase of the whaling bark Catalpa in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
I have just left from seeing the ship, the kapulta
forty miles out to sea. She looked splendid with every sale,
set a clear sky overhead and a calm sea beneath,
and the scene at parting was one we shall not
soon forget. We remained there till she was well out,
given three high cheers for the bark and her crew.
(06:02):
Not a man but ourselves had the least suspicion of
her true mission, and she is well on her way now.
But from the voyage of the COULTA. Peter Stevens, page
v III, I don't know Roman numerals. Eight. Thank you.
I appreciate that you left a Roman numeral in there,
expecting me to know what Roman numerals.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
When I say that it's part of the foreword, which
means it doesn't use Arabic numbers.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
That use Roman numbers or people get up my ass.
No one uses Roman numbers anymore at all.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
What did you just read?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
Only because you force me?
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It's from a book and the book used it, so
people use it. The Catalpa set sail on April twenty ninth,
eighteen seventy five, with an intended whaling voyage that masked
its true mission. Captain George S. Anthony, a Quaker sympathetic
to the Fenian cause, commanded the ship while most of
his crew remained unaware of the scuplane. Over the following months,
(07:03):
the vessel hunted whales in the Atlantic, stopped in the Azores,
and recrued before setting course for Australia in November eighteen
seventy five.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Why he Anthony wondered, was I gambling after these Irish
and the cause which was not my own? To be shure,
they would be profited in it if it were successful,
but a British nourse or a cell if it weren't.
Why I continued to ask that answer would come so
(07:34):
Peter Stevens Age eight.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
At this point in time, the Americans had only just
finished going through their Civil War. But even in the
modern day, the Americans still don't have that greater love
for the British. Back in the eighteen sixties, if the
Irish Americans were like, hey, let's go after the British,
it'd be like, Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I don't think so well they did it. I mean
a small crew assisted, right, small voyage assisted for sure.
And of course the Irish and the British have a
very very complicated history. For very good reason.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
They crowdfunded the money to buy the boat.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
A boat. Do you have, like think about the think
about what an actual military naval engagement would look like
at that time? Yeah, boats exactly plural. You think one
boat stood much of a chance against the collective might
of the British navy in the eighteen hundreds.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yes, But even going back to history. During the Independence well,
the only reason the Americans won was because there were
crafty little bastards who snuck around in the dead of
night and stole the cannons. So sneaking one whaling boat
into British territory to steal their people back not outside
the realm of possibility.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
I will give you this. It's a nice little piece
of quiet undercover or a small clandestine operation to rescue
a couple of Irish prisoners. I will give you that.
I just don't think it is at the level of
the grand War of the Master and Commander that you're
(09:14):
trying to suggest that it is. I think I need
to re engage reasonable storytelling much more fun with you.
It's distorting history, is what you do.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Ridy dald I don't even remember saying that it would
be a Master in Commander scenario. I just assumed that
it was like this guy. They bought a six million
dollar boat, they went out, took a bunch of crew
that had no idea why they were outsailing other than
shoot that whale, and then fucked off to Australia to
go pick up six random guys. Meanwhile, through all this,
(09:52):
John Devoy sent agents ahead John Jay Breslin using the
alias James Collins and Thomas Desmond using the ilias Johnson.
Arrived in Fremantle in November eighteen seventy five. Breslin assimilated
into colonial society, gaining access to influential officials, including Governor
Sir William Robinson. Under the pretense of being an American investor.
(10:15):
He toured the prison under official escort and secretly assured
the six men that a rescue was being prepared. Desmond
acquired horses, traps, clothes, weapons, and even arranged to telegraph
links between Freemantle and Perth on the day of the
escape to draw out the amount of time they had
to run for it.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
So just to recap here, these six men are part.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Of eighteen seventies IRA.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Yeah, you know, an Irish paramilitary group, right, maybe paramilitary
isn't the right word here in group insurgent group. So
they are so important to the cause that it is
worth buying a boat recruiting an American crew because as
(11:03):
you said, they would be more politically aligned with what
they were trying to do. Send the ship to Australia
to pick up these six guys because they're so important
it was so important about.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Them Irish Brotherhood. As far as I can tell, there's.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
A lot of money spent.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
When I was doing the research, I couldn't actually find
what role these guys played in the rebellion. So for
all I know they were masterminds, or all I know
they were the grunts. I'm assuming with all this effect masterminds.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
They kind have been grunts. They must have been higher
up within the organization.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Otherwise you wouldn't go to this much effort you want it.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
It's a ridiculous amount of time and money unless it's
Sometimes though, I think when it comes to this historical period,
boredom plays in things a lot, So perhaps they weren't
grunts and people were just fucking bored.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I want to go to Australia, what's a pretonspection use?
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Or I just want to be on a boat for
a bit, get away from.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
The wife, not that anyone's ever done that in history.
By late March eighteen seventy six, the Cattelpa anchored off Bunbury,
Breslin and Anthony met to firm up arrangements, settling on
Easter Monday, April seventeen as a designated day for the escape.
The site chosen for extraction was Rockingham, about thirty miles
(12:25):
south of Fremantle. Preparations ensured that telegraph lines would be down,
horses and traps in position, and a whale boat would
be ready offshore in international waters beyond this free monle limit. Thankfully,
international waters was still a thing way back then.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
It appears from the scan particulars we have been able
to obtain that soon after the prisoners had assembled for
work on Monday morning, simultaneously and in a manner that
any time would create no suspicion, a constable visited each
of the parties where the escapees were employed in various
parts of the out representing to the water in chart
(13:03):
that they were required to return to the prison to
enter upon other employment, and thereupon they were marked. Or
quote from the Inquirer Commercial News, Wednesday, nineteenth April eighteen
seventy six, page three, Escape of the Prisoners.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
So you know in the movie where you have the
guys impersonating a guard who walks up to it with
like a forged note that says, let these guys go,
I owe you.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah. Typically they're wearing a janitorial uniform that they have
purchased beforehand.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Or a general suit. It doesn't quite fit.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, I do, yep.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
That's the point in the movie We're at Yep. On
the morning of April seventeen, the six men were already
at their labor posts before sunrise. At around eight am,
Cranston and Hassett working outside the prison walls, and Wilson
and Harrington, working near the Sea Jeddy, were involved in
a stage walkout. Cranston told water Booler that the superintendent
(14:01):
needed two constables to help move furniture at Government House.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
While most of the people of the Port of the
city were devoting their attention to the regatta. He left
the prison with a key swinging on his finger, proceeded
down to the South Jetty, where a party of convicts
quarrying dressing stone for doc purposes. He there accosted a
warder in charge of the men, informing him that the
Superintendent desired to him to ask for two constables Finians
(14:30):
to accompany him to Government House to assist in the
removal of some furniture. The warder demurred at first, but
being astured by the constable with the key on his
finger that the men would only be away a short time.
The warder, now thing doubting, allowed the two constables of
his party to proceed in accordance with what he considered
(14:50):
a verbal request from headquarters to perform a bona fide service.
It is reported that the Superintendent told the Chief Warder
that as the account of the store's office would be closed,
the prisoner Kreston was not to be let out that
day Monday. Consequence of this order, the man with the
key on his finger, whose name is Cranston, was searched
(15:13):
for but was not found. It then became known that
not only he, but a number of Fenian prisoners were missing.
Quote from the Western Australian Times, Friday, twenty first of
April eighteen seventy six, page two, freemantleport Topics.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Later Hogan painting on the Comptroller's residence and Darra acting
his messenger for the prison clergyman, also disappeared. Within an hour,
authorities realized that all six men had vanished.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Yesterday morning, six prisoners escaped from the works in different
parts of Fremantle. It has reported that they had conveyance
at hand to take them to Rockenham, where it is
stated a vessel was in waiting to take them away.
Nothing further is as present reported to us. The authorities are,
of course on the viv quote from the Western Australian Times, Tuesday,
(16:06):
eighteenth of April eighteen seventy six.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I love how, in order to see more posh the
paper has been throwing in French terms.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
I think it's I mean, it's one of those things
when you look at the syntax of the English language
and even I mean you look at this all around
the world, when we don't have a word for something,
but another country does, we just take it exactly resume
you hear, nay, resume. A resume is a French word.
(16:37):
Over in Japan, the Japanese for ice cream is ice cream.
You'll find that, you know, language is ever a growing
and changing thing.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
So yeah, what's the quote three languages in a trench
coat ruffling through victims for spare linguistics.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
That sounds about right. Yeah, I'd agree with that.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Simultaneously, telegraph lines were come mounted. Police spotted multiple horse
drawn traps, two four wheeled two horse carriages, one two
wheel trap and a rider speeding along the road towards Rockingham.
Authorities captured the abandoned horses and traps, discovering prison hats,
a rifle and revolver cartridges, a bottle of wine, and
(17:22):
a woolen gun. Cover. Local settler James Bell rode into
Fremantle and reported spotting a whale boat manned by six
black men and a Yankee looking man which had loaded
some men at Rockingham and road off straor.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
So Yankee of course being the term for Americans outside.
So this is one of those weird ones, right, So
a Yankee is somewhere north yeah, US, North US, so
you know New York, yeah, Union, New York City, all
that sort of stuff. But outside of America, all Americans
(17:57):
are called yaks. Yeah right, because obviously it was a misunderstanding.
So you know, they met people from the North, they
met people from the South, and everyone got called Yanks.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Well you see the north one, so everyone must be
a Yankee.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Absolutely. Well, there you go. That's a very good point.
And then it was popular lot popularized with the song
Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Fun fact, Holly always thought it was Yankee because they
used to yank your leg Yankee chain when they were
talking to you, because she didn't understand what Americans were
and just assume there are a type of comedian I.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Will say this about Americans. I actually think they're pretty
forthright people. I don't think Americans are very pot at.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Deception, which is why it's surprising when one.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Is I think they're good at gas lighting, yeah, but
I don't think they're good at deception.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Steamrolling, not subtlety. Yeah. One of the escapees reportedly said,
let the traps go to hell and gave bell a
sovereign for his silence, which he then squandered and went
straight down to the cops.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
It is rumored, however, that's friendly hands and hants were
at work. But within a mile or so of Fremantle
it a spot appointed as a general rendezvous. There you
go another French word rendezvous. Changes of Remnant, lay in
readiness for them, and coach and say how I had
to switch back into the accent and I sort of
delayed there a little bit code switching, code switching, Yeah,
(19:19):
without riders to boot to convey them to Rockenham Vessels
supposed to be the United States warship Copulta was visible
in the opping to the south of Garden Island on
the previous day. It has suggested that as a result
of a well organized means of escape, plotted by agents
who have recently arrived in the colony. The rescue of
(19:39):
these men, who were the forlorn pope of the Irish
political prisoners, was the object of permission. Quote from the
Inquirer and Commercial News, Wednesday, nineteenth of April eighteen seventy six,
page three, Escape of Prisoners. And from that quote you
can imply that yes, these men were somewhat important to
their political movement.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Following this, the colonial government instantly mobilized the water police
boat under Coxsway Mills alongside the steamship Georgette under Superintendent Johnstone,
a major finery. The Georgette carried eighteen costumed pensioners, police officers,
extra coal and small arms just in case they had
to do a chase. The aim was to intercept both
(20:21):
the whaleboat and the Cataalpa at sea. The police boat
followed the coast towards Sulfur Bay and beyond, sighting the whaleboat,
disappearing under Dune's near Garden Island, before returning to Fremantle
around midday to rendezvous with the Georgette. The first outing
failed to intercept the whaleboat, which reached the Cataalpa beyond
sight of the pursuing authorities. That evening, around eight PM,
(20:44):
the police boat rediscovered the Catalpa about nine miles off draw.
Mills attempted to close in, but Katalpa interposed itself as
the escapees now aboard the whale boat lambered up her
sides under the protection of its lines. Police warnings to
allow the boat to part us were ignored. Mills judged
resistance would be suicidal and returned to Fremantle. Just after
(21:07):
eleven PM, the Georgette steamed out again. After re arming
and refueling through the night and into the dawn of
the eighteenth of April, it pursued the Catalpa, closing to
within a quarter mile by around ten am on April nineteen.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
About eleven o'clock in the evening, Major Finity, with a
strong detachment of prisoners and let us Hope an adequate
supply of ammunition, accompanied by the Superintendent of Water Police
under the Water Rats Holly, went to see in the
asss Georgette, as it was thought that, as the wind
had remained light, that the vessel might be intercepted a
(21:41):
short distance off the coast. The Georgette, however, arrived at
tree Mantle five o'clock yesterday afternoon at minus the escape ease,
she fell in company with the Capulto off the Murriam
and announcewered to an inquiry the chief officer of the whaler.
A short hour. Pursuer was that she was awaiting the
arrival of the captain, who had gone to Fremantle in
one of the ship's of boats, and that the escapees
(22:04):
were not on board. To the integratory whether he ejected
to the examination of the vessel, the mate in true
Yankee Lingo replied, I guess you'd better not try to
come alongside inquiring commercial news Wednesday, nineteenth of April eighteen
seventy six, page three, Escaping Prisoners. I don't know why
is Georgian. I just decided that because the boat's called
(22:26):
the Georgette, that every American on board was Georgian, and
saw they need to talk with a thick molests. They're
so very hot today.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You're getting your accents worked out today. We're just going
to stick you in an Irish quote and you'll be good.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
I think I need to go and get Marshselle a
delicious a mint jeweler on this very very hot day
and then Joy marself from Kentucky saying, now, what's the
difference between a Georgian and a Kentucky.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Look to me, anything that's south of Virginia is just southern.
And then you have Florida, which is like being New
York in my brain.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
You're seeing because the accent it slowly changes the more
south you go into something a little bit more like this, and.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Then you get to New Orleans and it changes into Cajon.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Oh, I'm not doing Cajun at all.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
No one can actually do Pagian unless they were born.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Case except the voice actor for Garment. Yeah, because I
think that guy does pretty well. Now I'm not doing
not even going to attempt that, especially because you know
my Texan very quickly just turns into Kentucky. Well, in
my opinion, it just turns into Matthew McConaughey from Days
and Confused Alt. That's what I like about high school girls.
(23:40):
I keep getting older, they stay the same. Aide the
older he gets, he's getting more of a lisp in
his voice. It's getting harder. And then when it comes
to doing a Northern I just I start with the
phrase Melbourne, you know what I love you aasi's I
(24:01):
come down here all the time, and I really love
hanging out in Melbourne. It's Californian, I don't think so.
I think California is more valley girl beach bum, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
No, I'm sure what you're doing with California. We have
a lot of American listeners, don't you can let us know.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I don't think so, Holly. I think this is a
typical American accent, which I think is very much informed
by the performance of Christian Bale and the wonderful film
American Psycho. Do you ever listen to Huey Lewis in
the news. My favorite part is when Jared Leto gets
(24:39):
hacked to pieces in that movie. Fuck thirty seconds to
Mars and fuck Jared Letto. I wanted to see tron Aries.
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Now back to the show.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
The Georgette fired a warning shot across the whaler's bow
and Superintendent Stone boarded the quarterboat to confront Captain Anthony.
Stone demanded the surrender of the prisoners, declaring the authority
of the Governor.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I declare, on behalf of the Governor, that you shall
release the Wow, it just turned into George and I
meant to do British thing to say all the voices.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
That accent just swapped sides halfway through.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
I demand the release of all prisoners into the custody
of Her Majesty the Queen, because she's feeling a little amorous.
Years get that Danny captain off my ship.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I was gonna correct you, but I actually think it
was Queen Victoria because she was on the throne for
like eighty years and died in nineteen pens.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's Vicky.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Anthony responded by pointing to the American flag and insisting
that Catalpa lay in international waters, so basically, go fuck yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Our say, sir, does that not go you the proud
nation of America in that flag? Boy, When I see
that flag, I'll get the biggest erection. I get the
biggest erection when I see those stars and straps. It's
not all that soft cottons printed on. And you will
(27:05):
not take those lovely boys from my hip, sir. When
you see that big, beautiful flag sitting up there, Sir,
I don't care if the Magistate wants another six Irish
sex boys. I do not care, Sir.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
I was going to tell you off for doing a caricature,
and then I'm like, no, that is actually how some
Americans would feel looking at the stars and stripes.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
So oh, can't you sing blah blah blah blah.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Yeah, it's the only other country whose national anthem, I
actually fucking know which is.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Ristigue creterinary fucking movie. Yeah, we all have constitutions, we
all have flags. Fuck off and like.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
A lot of Americans, I can sing maybe the first
three line. Several minute exchanges followed. Anthony refused boarding, asserting
that any seizure would constitute violation of US sovereignty and
possibleses belt, which would be a declaration of war. Wow,
so they really wanted to get these gusts back.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
It is supposed that the captain of the whale, of
viewing the movements of the steamer, is dodging alongshore awaiting
a favorable opportunity to board. Meanwhile, the water Police bird
is prosecuting an active search along the coast. It was
rumored late last night but the authorities had determined to
again dispanse the George Jet in an effort to capture
the runaways. Quote from the Inquiring Commercial News Wednesday, nineteenth
(28:32):
of April eighteen seventy six, Paint three Escape of the Prisoners.
Once again, Australia becomes the center of a diplomatic incident
between the US and the British and the US and
China and the UA. Oh wait, you know, you know
what I think, I know what the problem might be.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Don't forget there was also the British and France, Britain
and Dutch, Britain and German, so both of them are
the problem here, don't worry.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
Do you ever think coming on perhaps us, the British
colonial lists who seemed to impose our will of everyone,
do you think perhaps we might be the problem? Nine?
Speaker 2 (29:10):
Cousin?
Speaker 1 (29:13):
Wow, I suppose. Yeah it was Germany that was his cousin,
wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
Yeah, they were all cousins like. It was one big
family that ran the fucking word.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
I said this before, and you get uppitty about this,
the Royal British family a bunch of incest babies.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
Because it wasn't just the British, it was all of them.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Sure, they're all incest babies.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
But the more and more that I think about, yeah,
it is just one big family fit, one big family
playing risk, like two hundred years before the game was
fucking invented.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Well, cousin, as you can see, and I have beaten
you once again in Chest nine. Send out the Panza
tanks like fuck. That's basically what it boils down to
see the rich of being in control for a very
long time.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
And then you had all the guys from the east,
the Chinese families of Taiwan, these families of Japanese families.
They then started getting in on it, and that's when
World War two brooke.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Outs like I'm sorry, look at King Charles. There are
definitely some there's some repeating of genes there if that
is the height of British genealogy.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Huff Astonished at Anthony's calm defiance and without legal grounds
to board, Stone offered fifteen minutes to reconsider. Then he
maintained he was in international waters and gave no prisoners.
Stone threatened to fire on the Catalpa. Anthony said he
didn't care, affirming American protection.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
So I will wrap myself in that flag and it
is bulletproof, because that's how much I believe in these
United States are now go along, you go get now.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
Facing potential international incident, exhaustion of coal, and orders not
to breach maritime law, Stone withdrew the Georgette returned to
Fremantle around four pm that no that action was taken.
The governor publicly thanked his forces and released the Georgette
from further operations. Meanwhile, the Catalpa sailed southward, effectively clear
(31:11):
of pursuit, and headed directly towards New York via the
Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Upon its arrival in New York
on the nineteenth August eighteen seventy six, almost four months
after the escape, the ship was greeted by massive cheering
crowds and Irish American celebrations.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And then the American police rocked up and beat the
fuck out of the Irish people or celebrating fifty to
fifty chances say before, isn't racism interesting? Because if you
weren't the right kind of white as well, the police
would beat the fuck out of you too.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
White, not white enough, the wrong kind of white, the
wrong speaking kind of white.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
It's good to see me, brothers have come back all
the way from Australia. I'm feeling very very proud and
very Irish right now.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Why are you Gaelic? Fuck?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Why you hit me on my head?
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And that's probably a recreation of a lot of those confrontations.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
The other day. You were only at the church. That's
right now, I'm a paddo police officer and I'm beating
the fuck out of my own fuck you whack, whack, whack.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
The six men immediately became celebrated heroes among the Irish nationalists.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Major Infinity again proceeded on board with a party of
pensioners under mister Juno Jonathan Stone. About eleven pm started
a second time in chase of the Capulta. An overhauling
her to the southward compelled her to heave too by
firing one shot over her bow, and when the captain
was asked if he had the prisoners on board in
(32:48):
the meantime, he had holed up the American flag and
denied that he had anyone except Americans on board. He
ultimately confessed the escape prisoners were there, but refused to
give them uponers came on the deck of the Capoulta
and were recognized. Cranston was amongst the number in the
prison constable's dress with the stripe on the arm. The
(33:08):
Georgette again returned with down the prisoners, and it is
reported the government does not intend to send out after
them again. It appears a person who had been stayed
for a short period in Moonne's hotel no was known
there as Collins, provided clothing for the Fenian prisoners and
hired traps and horses to convey them away. Another man
(33:29):
named Jerons, though never seen speaking to Collins, had lodged
at a different hotel. It is also connected with the
affair that all have got away together. The traps and
horses were turned boose in the bush and afterwards were
covered in one of the traps. A revolver and one
hundred rounds of cartridges were found. Quite from the Western
Australian Times, Friday twenty first of April eighteen seventy six,
(33:50):
page two freemantle Port compics.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
The incident produced both diplomatic embarrassment for Britain and colonial authorities,
as well as moral uplift for Irish nationalists worldwide. British
officials in Western Australia reportedly acknowledged national security fatelings. Governor
Robinson was quoted as stating that the six men were
now the problem of some other nation now that they
(34:14):
were safely overseas. Colonial sentiment in Australia was mixed. While
authorities condemned the escape, public sympathy leaned towards the Fenians,
fewed as political rather than criminal prisoners. Widespread atmosphere of
respect for underdogs was palpable. In Fremantle, crowds gloated at
the authority's failure, public wages fluctuated on whether a second
(34:35):
attempt to intercept would occur, and drunken cheers broke out
on the jetty as the Georgette returned empty handed. Because
Australians are.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Dicks, the Home Government have themselves to blame for escapees
with this description. As there is now no doubt as
to the necessity for men of work cruiser being always
on our coast, it may possibly be deemed prudent to
station one here to prevent a repetition of this unparalleled
piece of Yankee in impudence. The Western Australian Times, Friday,
(35:06):
twenty first of April eighteen seventy six, Peach two Freemantle topics.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
The scheme's success owed much to the coordination between da Voi, o'railey, Breslan,
Desmond Antony, and the Finian prisoners themselves. O'Reilly, who narrowly
escaped deportation himself, advised du Voi to avoid direct assault
on the prison. Instead, he conceived of the whaling ship Ruse,
a plan later adopted and brought to life Breslan's infiltration
(35:33):
as Collins enabled extraordinary planning. He accessed official inner circles,
arranging vehicles and horses, planned communications, sabotage, and insured a
stage to escape, timed with the Yacht Club brigatta, a distraction,
ensuring light guard coverage. Desmond's logistical efforts cemented the ground
phase as execution each phase ship procurement, intelligence gathering, infiltration, communications, sabotage,
(35:59):
prisoner walkout, boat rendezvous, maritime chase, diplomatic standoff, and finally,
the safe voyage was executed in tight coordination and timing
under international maritime law. Anthony's banners of the stars and
stripes and adherence to territorial sovereignty were decisive. Authorities lacked
legal grounds to board the Georgette two munitions limited and
(36:21):
shy of legal breach, stood down. In the aftermath, the
men lived out their lives abroad. James Wilson settled in
Rhode Island, meeting Emmon de Valier in nineteen twenty before
his death in nineteen twenty one. Desmond eventually served as
San Francisco Sheriff in eighteen eighty to eighteen eighty one.
Captain Anthony became the new Bedford Port Inspector Bresiln's daughter
(36:45):
was born in Sydney, though he remained a figure cloaking
intrigue and did not return to a strike for the
last couple of Easters. Since twenty twenty three, the Rockingham
community has gathered for the Catalpad Benure Festival, a weekend
celebration of heritage, culture and remembrance. This festival brings the
story to life through theatrical reenactments, Irish music, dancing, Gaelic sports,
(37:08):
and themed food and craft markets. Highlights have include stage
performances tracing the journey from Fremantle Prison to Rockingham beat,
helping both young and old engage in the Tale of
eighteen seventy six. The event has grown into a vibrant
annual tradition, reinforcing awareness of the escape within Lessen Australia.
As part of the festival, the Catalpa Dash, a themed
(37:30):
physical challenge, has become a defining feature. Participants done period
style or themed costumes and undertake a long distance run
or walk or ride that mimics the Fenian Flight Park.
For example, in twenty twenty four, a thirty kilometers cycle
trace the route from Fremantle to Rockingham, allowing participants to
physically reenact the escape's momentum and experience a slash of
(37:52):
the historical journey. They've basically become Civil War reenactors for
this one particular theme.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
I mean, I always love it when rea actors decide
to re enact the funnier parts of history as opposed
to the more serious ones. So I do like that
this little funny international incident is still recalled in humorous fashion,
you know. I think that's kind of wonderful. I like
that the fact that they keep that tradition up.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
I'd much rather watch someone trying to vate authorities running
to the beach than I would someone reenacting shooting people.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Oh, I totally agree with you. It's kind of crazy
how often colonial Australia did get involved in international domestic
international disputes, isn't.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
It Castle Hill Rebellion? Yeah, this breakout, the Catalpa, the
Frederick when they took a runoff to Chile. Yeah, what
can you think of?
Speaker 1 (38:46):
I think you've probably mentioned most of the bigger ones.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
There was the ship with two names. I can't remember
what it was, but it actually had American rebels on
board that were sent here.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
There were definitely issues as well, when you know, between
the French and the British, and we got involved in
that as well some constantly. You know. Well, my namesake
Soul actually comes from a French convict who was arrested
(39:17):
and imprisoned in America.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Yeah. He spent time and I think it was North Carolina, I.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Believe, and then eventually ended up in Australia and the
Australian convict colonies. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
Because you've got in so much trouble, they're like, funk
off out to here, anyone, I'll go to Australia.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Yeah, because souls a particularly rare name around the world,
funnily enough, so a double L. And I'm not biologically
a soul. That is the name of my father's stepfather.
So but that being said, I am the only Matthew
Soul in the country.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yes, yeah, there's only like eight of us, and I
think two of you have lost your name through marriage.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah. Well my sister has already, yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Which means that her kids are not. So it's you, me,
your brother, yeah, oh and in your stepmother that's it.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Yeah. Five yeah, five of us. But that's okay what
his inner name, Holly would arose by any another name
smell not as sweet?
Speaker 2 (40:19):
Are you seriously quoting Shakespeare at me badly?
Speaker 1 (40:23):
It was probably no. I keep thinking I always butcher
that other quote as well. There what is it? There
are more wonders than in your small mind? Horatio or
something like that.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
I'll think about it and you could go.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Yeah, it's not important. I don't know Shakespeare quotes very well, Doff,
this is mother and ner. They'll wearreth her draps.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Shakespeare.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Well, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you enjoyed that. Yes, you
did get four mainline episodes. This week. We're going to continue.
Speaker 2 (40:56):
As normal, so all week, I think you mean this month.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
This month going to continue with our normal schedule. So
in October we're going to go back to doing at
least one commentary. That commentary will be horror inspired. If
there is a particular horror film you would like us
to do it commentary track for I'm going to go
out on a limb here and I'm gonna guess it's
going to be Wolf Creek.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
I mean, we've covered so much Wolf Creak, Like, I
don't really want to turn this into the Wolf Creek Podcast.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
I would probably like to revisit Lake Mungo actually, that'd
be a good one. I'm actually because we watched it
last year, I don't remember much of it. You watched
it for the first time last year. I think it's
a great Australian horror film. It's it's just about to
get an Umbrella Fork re release, I believe so. I
think it's a fantastic film and it's definitely one that's
(41:45):
worth watching again. So that might be the commentary track
as we move into spooky season.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
That sounds good. I think we might lock that one in.
We'll see yes.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
And for all of you Gangland warphans, we are about
to start our Lawyer X series, which is going to
be filled ladies and gentlemen with a sexy, sexy sex.
Except Holly doesn't like that, so she cut all those
bits out.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
Oh I'm gonna go put it all back in just
to you.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
I think the audience wants the tenilation.
Speaker 2 (42:18):
It included one of them one because that was the
big one.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Like she has this woman had a reputation for betting
everyone on every side all the time while representing criminals,
while leaking shit to the police. And you're like, nah,
nobody wants this stuff.
Speaker 2 (42:36):
They want the history. They don't want the titillation. They
want titillation. They could just go watch fucking.
Speaker 1 (42:41):
Why I on the entertainment side, on the.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
History side, man, tell me what entertainment you need, because
I'm just like, this is all fascinating.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Weird crap in Australia was just up the holly. It
would be like and on the eighteenth of the eighteen
hundred eighty eight, and and this happened, and then this happened,
and that was interesting, and this happened, and this happened, this,
and it happened, and then you know, you gotta excite
(43:11):
the fans. Man, they want the interesting. They want that.
We have you, yeah, to keep you on.
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Track, to keep everyone else awake.
Speaker 1 (43:19):
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we will let you go with that.
Don't forget if you'd like to reach out to us
and let us know what horror movie we should cover.
Otherwise it's kind of default to latemongo. You can shoot
us an email weekrap in Australia at gmail dot com.
If you'd like to find us on social media, just
type in week Crap in Australia into the search bar
of your social media of choice. We should pop up
if you would like to support us, you can in
(43:42):
a couple of different ways. Don't forget we're independent. There's
just two of us, and Patreon really helps us out.
For only five dollars us D a month, you get
access to bonus episodes, minisodes, and anything else free we
can chuck your way. These episodes were always also released
completely ad free, so if you fucking hate it as
we can give you a feed just for you that
(44:03):
is completely and free. Through Patreon. You can also pick
up our book series Volume one, two, six are available
now from our great mates at impatcomics dot com dot au.
The silly season is coming up. These books make great
gifts for the historian in your life. They're not too dance,
they're fun. It covers a wide range of history, and
if I don't say so myself, they're actually pretty well written.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
If you get all six of them from Impact Comics,
leave them a note and we will go in and
sign all six of them for you.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
You know what, fuck it At the moment, it's really
tricky for small businesses to make any sort of profit
in this current climate. Between now and December, if you
want an autograph on any book you purchase, shoot them
an email. When you make your purchase, let them know
we will stop down and we will sign your books
for you, any.
Speaker 2 (44:48):
Book we wrote. I'm not going to sign a copy
of a new Superman.
Speaker 1 (44:52):
Also sign a copy of Superman. If you want me
to go sign a copy of Superman? What's this, Matthew?
Is Matthew Sole's signature on this Superman not written or
illustrated or have anything to do with him, but he
signed it, I'll sign it.
Speaker 2 (45:05):
They might even have still a copy of Killary if
you want to want a Mattheuse Comics.
Speaker 1 (45:08):
I think they sold one recently. Actually, yes they did.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
I remember seeing that. Yeah, but I'm going to check
their levels on Killary while you do the rest of
the spill.
Speaker 1 (45:17):
Well, we can't. We can't order any more of that
anyway because I don't known that.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
So it's out of prince.
Speaker 1 (45:23):
So if you want one, happy to sign anything you
put in front of my face, ladies and gentlemen. But yes,
if that incentivizes you to check a few dollars towards
mail and the team that impact comics, I will absolutely
sign anything that you purchase between now and December. Don't
forget they make great Christmas presents. They really do because
they're fun for their historian in your life. If you
(45:44):
want to grab it yourself some merchandise or or a
T shirt, you can head to our Tea public and
Red Bubble sits Again. Just type in Weird Crap and
Australia into the search bar, and if you miss any
of those links, don't forget. They're all on the Facebook
page as well, just for you. Well, adies and gentlemen.
That is there for us for another episode of week
Crap in Australia. And is that custom we give Holly
the final words.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Two Impact Comics has two copies of Killer Roy left,
so if.
Speaker 1 (46:09):
You want grab them quick.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
There are more things in Heaven and Earth Horatio that
exist within your philosophy.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
That's the one. Thank you very much, Holly for helping
me tell.
Speaker 2 (46:19):
Me a long time to remember that. I didn't even
have to google. I just had to sit there and
think about it. Unfortunately, I studied Macbeth when I was
in high school, so I actually know that one better.
Speaker 1 (46:28):
We saw Macbeth at the Globe in.
Speaker 2 (46:31):
London the last showing of the season.
Speaker 1 (46:33):
Because ladies and gentlemen, we are very vertic cult shit right.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
And we were smart enough not to stand out in
the earth.
Speaker 1 (46:40):
I think it's it's funny too, like our life is.
You know, someone could turn around and say, oh, you know,
they are a leader of snobs. And we've been accused
of that before, believe it or not. We had some
asshole on Facebook accusers to being a leader. So I
was like, dude, I'll work at a fucking supermarket.
Speaker 2 (46:54):
Man, how can I be a leader?
Speaker 1 (46:55):
Because you know, I'm not very elitist, so don't have
an education slightly education, but I only have my year
twelve and a couple of trade certificates. I'm not particularly
what you would call an Elita snob. But then I
turn around and say, we go to the Globe Theater
in London to watch the last season's performance of Macbeth.
But at the same time I also went to a
(47:16):
Waji Island to go to the Godzilla years.
Speaker 2 (47:18):
I am read balances.
Speaker 1 (47:20):
So you know I like all pop culture. Anyway, Ladies
and gentlemen, that's it for me. Please stay safe, be
kind to each other, especially in hostile times that we
live in, and we will see you all next week
for more week crap in Australia. Until then, goodbye for now.
Speaker 2 (47:34):
Hey.
Speaker 1 (47:49):
The Weird Crap In Australia podcast is produced by Holly
and Matthew Soul for the Modern Meltdown. If you've enjoyed
this podcast, please rate and review on your favorite pod
catching app.
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