Customer Reviews

The Voyage of the Catalpa: A Perilous Journey and Six Irish Rebels' Escape to Freedom

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I am not personally of a Fremantle Irish heritage (was raised among it), I am writing this review in part due to being born and raised in Perth-Fremantle and now having the privilege now to live and work in New York! Coincidently, I was requested to write this on my first "St Patrick's Day" in New York while I'm still capable to write...

I feel that this book explained that the Irish cause was not only Irish but belonged to every freedom loving person. Captain George Anthony saw that it was a right thing to do for the 'Fremantle six' to get out of prison and be brought to New York as free men. And, he left his family to do just that. I believe that British imperialism was wrong and people throughout the world were tiring from it.

It is a complex issue the Fenians both military and civilian faced, but it was good to see that the Darragh character who was not a Catholic, still saw that Irish people were capable to rule themselves even when being of other religious beliefs. His struggle can be seen in the present Irish Republic as a secular state which is run by Irish people of all types of backgrounds.

But for me, any Perth-Fremantle or other located Western Australian person that ever came to be in New York or the US New England region and experience its warmth can now see one of the historical reasons for this close bond that we in Perth-Fremantle share with this part of the US. A connection in part heightened from Irish suffering of the late 1800's.

To those who have passed including the 'Fremantle six' and Captain Anthony thank you for giving me, a West Australian, another deep connection to the United States. A connection that I knew about from Primary School, but needed to comprehend further as an adult.

Peter Stevens has done a good job.

The Voyage of the Catalpa tells the true story of an American whale boat captain who is recruited to help rescue six Irish political prisoners from an Australia prison in 1875. It starts off slowly, but this quickly becomes a riveting tale. The mission is so daring and unlikely that you wouldn't believe it was true if you hadn't read the book. The climax is very suspenseful- I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others who have an interest in history and the forced migration of the Irish to Australia.

Eyed this book at a friend's home in New Bedford & had to read it. You can't get a better story of risk & adventure than this. The fact that it all began in New England makes it even more engaging. Good gift for any Irishman.

I have read this book with a mixture of interest and annoyance. I was interested in a part of Irish history that I had not read about previously. The author has managed to compile a quantity of factual documentation on this subject.

My annoyance arises from two main areas;

1. His factional way of writing. Interspersing historical documents with the attributed thoughts and actions of his subjects. While I agree that it is the authors choice how he tells the story, his stereotypical approach of Cruel Britannia versus the Noble Irish gets a little tiresome after a while. Irish history (like most history) varies considerably depending on who does the telling. The Irish Question is seldom black or white, a fact that has been discovered by several generations of US presidents. (I say this as an Irishman and a Nationalist).

2. An area where I am more qualified to comment is in his writing about the seagoing element of the story. If Mr. Stevens has a nautical proof reader he/she should be keelhauled. Some of the howlers are as follows;

Sailors raced up the ratlines to sheaf the ships sails (p. 52) Sailors reef sails.

From the quarterdeck, a sailor called out twelve bells (p.71).  No, NO, NOOO, bells are rung (on a bell  duh), and the highest number is EIGHT. 12 midnight is 8 BELLS.

 asked if he might see the ships chronometer and learn how one used its winding key to arrive at the ships position. (p. 199)

AND

, took out his new chronometer, wound the key, and read --- ninety miles away (p. 232).  Mother of the Devine!!!!!!!!! Mr. Stevens is mixing a Sextant with a Chronometer  A chronometer is a CLOCK. A sextant is used to measure angles  e.g. stars, sun, mountains etc. By combining an accurate CLOCK and a sextant angle of a heavenly body, using tables you can plot a ships position.

The first cry of Ah!Blows! rang out (p.220)  If a whaler cried out this he would be harpooned. The cry is Thar she blows

"greasy luck" was the standard whalers cry, not greasy voyage

This is only a small sample of the errors in the nautical side of this book. I can only assume similar carelessness in other areas. As a result Mr. Stevens gets a 2 star rating.

This unknown history at it's finest. The reseach was outstanding done by Stevens. It's the perfect match adventure and history this did really occur as hard as it is to believe. If your interested in Irish/Australian/American History it is a must read.

His courage is truly amazing. He is in a race to save the Fremantle 6 half way around the world. He stands up to the gunboat Georgette as it fires on his ship.

I've read the book twice over the last few years and enjoy it each time.

There are pictures of Captain George Anthony and the men he saved.

I definitely recommend The Voyage of the Catalpa.

It is a good read for those who like true survival stories - All Irshmen should read.