Product Description

The story of John Devoy's 1876 Catalpa rescue is a tale of heroism, creativity, and the triumph of independent spirit in pursuit of freedom. The daily log on board the whaling ship Catalpa begins with the typical recount of a crew intact and a spirit unfettered, but such quiet words deceive the truth of the audacious enterprise that came to be known as one of the most important rescues in Irish American history. John Devoy's men aided in the break-in and subsequent rescue of Irish political prisoners from the Australian coast, allowing millions of fellow Irishmen and American-Feninans, many of whom secretly financed the dangerous plot, to draw courage from the newly exiled prisoners. Philip Fennell and Marie King, both descendants of pardoned Fenian prisoner, tell the story from the John Devoy's own records and from the ship's logbooks. "John Devoy's Catalpa Expedition" includes an introduction by Terry Golway and the personal diaries, letters, and reports from John Devoy and his men.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1163872 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 223 pages

Review
It's a story of rescue from the high seas as Pawling residents Philip Fennell and Marie King take readers to 1876 and the voyage of the "Catalpa," John Devoy and his crew had a daring mission in mind: rescue six Irish political prisoners from the Australian coast and, in one bold move, inspire millions of Irishmen and Irish Americans. The story is gathered from the personal diaries, letters and reports from those involved in the maritime adventure. - "Poughkeepsie Journal"

About the Author
Philip Fennell is an accountant. Marie King, his wife, is a graduate of New York University and an elementary school teacher. Their first editing collaboration resulted in the publication of an ancestor's recollection Voyage of the Hougoumont and Life at Fremantle: The Life of an Irish Rebel.