Organizations -- Clan na Gael Part 5 "The 'Aud' Fiasco" In March 1916, the Fenians in Dublin sent a message to New York City for Devoy to cable to Berlin. The message directed Berlin to land arms in Ireland sometime between Holy Thursday and dawn on Easter Monday. The first week of April, Padraig Pearse changed his mind. He believed that if arms were landed on Holy Thursday, the British government would most likely discover them before the Rebellion could begin. The Rebellion had been slated to start in Dublin at 6:30 pm on Easter Sunday. Pearse composed a new message for Berlin - postpone the arms delivery until the Rebellion had actually begun. The message was given to Joseph Plunkett's niece, Philomena, who boarded a ship for New York. Devoy had already sent the original message to Berlin. The arms and ammunition left Germany on the ship, Aud, on April 9th. Philomena landed in New York City on April 14th. Devoy sent frantic messages to Berlin, countermanding the original. Berlin responded that the Aud had no wireless, so there was nothing they could do. The Aud sailed into Tralee Harbor carrying 1400 tons of arms and ammunition. There was no one there to meet her. The captain, flying a Norwegian flag, sailed around for a few days before attracting attention from the British. The captain would set fire to the ship and escape in a life boat. The Fenians hopes of entering the conflict on equal ground with the British had disappeared. Devoy claimed to have sent a message to Pearse in Dublin, notifying him that the date of arms landing couldn't be changed. Pearse claimed to have never received a message from Devoy. NEXT: Clan na Gael or the Fenian Brotherhood?
Organizations -- Clan na Gael Part 4 "The Easter Rebellion" When Arthur Griffith first formulated his plan of an armed uprising in Ireland, a few smaller rebel groups threw in their support. But Griffith and his compatriots were pleasantly surprised when Devoy and Clan na Gael offered their full and unwavering support. Devoy, already in his seventies, was ready to assume any duty necessary for the fulfillment his lifelong dream. Clan na Gael went on a full fundraising effort around the United States. It's unknown exactly how much money Clan na Gael raised for the Easter Rebellion, but it is agreed they were the biggest financial supporter. The arms and ammunition used came directly from Clan na Gael and the Irish-American public. What was Devoy's role in the Rebellion? A very important one. It had been determined that Ireland's best chance at success was to have help from Germany. Germany and the United Kingdom were at war, and it would be beneficial to Germany to have her enemy contend with an armed uprising. The Fenians in Ireland wanted arms, ammunition and possibly troops from Germany. Since there could be no communication between Dublin and Berlin, the Fenians turned to the man they trusted most - John Devoy in New York City. Dispatches were sent by emissaries from Dublin to New York City. From his Clan na Gael office, Devoy would then send the messages to the German Foreign Office in Berlin. At this time, America had declared neutrality, and Devoy was treading in dangerous waters. In February 1916, Devoy sent a message to Berlin: "Unanimous opinion is that action cannot be postponed much longer. It has therefore been decided to begin action on Easter Saturday. Unless entirely new circumstances arise you must have your arms and ammunition landed between Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Expect German help immediately after." Berlin replied by cable to Devoy that between April 20th and 23rd, 20,000 rifles, ten machine guns and ammunition would be landed in Tralee Bay. Devoy continued to send urgent messages from March 18th through 20th, asking for Easter Sunday to be the new date of arms delivery. He then asked Berlin to land a submarine in Dublin Harbor, and possibly troops! Berlin's answer: "Sending German submarines to Dublin Harbour impossible. Landing troops equally out of the question." Devoy's role was a vital one. However, problems and controversy would arise, with fingers pointing at Devoy. NEXT: The "Aud" Fiasco
Forwarded from cpurcell1@cox.net Hi Ellen; Our Purcells are - from latest to 'earliest known' - New Jersey, Brooklyn, Scranton, PA and then Ireland. I'm still digging back. As to names: Parents; Lewis Purcell (Brooklyn) and Mary Johnston Purcell (Bronx) Grandparents: James Vincent Purcell (Scranton) and Ellen T. Lewis (Franklin Furnace, NJ) G-Grandparents: Patrick ? Purcell (Ireland, then Scranton) and Catherine Kelly Purcell (Ireland, then Scranton) Even though there is a large contingent of Purcells in Scranton, they are very reserved about their genealogy. I've tried several Purcells that I am sure are related, asking for Scranton info, without a response. I'm now digging thru all the 'usual suspect' routes. Recently found a cache of old records in a box in my brother's basement that held lots of genealogy goodies. Still culling through that. Regards, Larry Purcell
Forwarded from marybob.mcd@worldnet.att.net >>> Hi Virginia Please if you received any information on the Police in NYC in the 1880's please let me know. I beleived that someone did answer you, and I saved it. It must be in that big folder in the sky! Hopeful Bob McDonald <<<
Can anyone tell me in what ward, 654 Water Street in Manhattan was located in 1870? Thanks, Don McGovern __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com
saw your message Where are your Purcells from? Ellen >From: GaelEire@aol.com >Reply-To: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com >To: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [IRISH-NYC] Fwd: Re: DOHENY >Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 23:53:18 EDT > >Forwarded from cpurcell1@cox.net > >Hi; > >I have no DOHENY info to share, but my uncle's name was William Wells >CLOUGH. I know nothing about his family. He was married to my aunt, Mary >Purcell, who was my father's sister. My father was Lewis Purcell. Just >thought I should check in. > >Regards, > >Larry Purcell > > > >==== IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY Mailing List ==== >List Administrators: >Tracy Cassidy GaelEire@aol.com >Jim McCarthy SPAGHETTICOWBOY@cs.com > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
saw your message Where are your Purcells from? Ellen >From: GaelEire@aol.com >Reply-To: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com >To: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [IRISH-NYC] Fwd: Re: DOHENY >Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 23:53:18 EDT > >Forwarded from cpurcell1@cox.net > >Hi; > >I have no DOHENY info to share, but my uncle's name was William Wells >CLOUGH. I know nothing about his family. He was married to my aunt, Mary >Purcell, who was my father's sister. My father was Lewis Purcell. Just >thought I should check in. > >Regards, > >Larry Purcell > > > >==== IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY Mailing List ==== >List Administrators: >Tracy Cassidy GaelEire@aol.com >Jim McCarthy SPAGHETTICOWBOY@cs.com > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > _________________________________________________________________ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com
Hi - I guess I need help. I'm trying to unsubscribe for vacation reasons. I have sent two unsubscribes but each comes back saying "no match". Here's the address to show capital letters, etc. exactly as I type it in the "To" slot. IRISH-NY-TROY-D-request@rootsweb.com Does anyone know why the "unsubscribe" message comes back? Thank you Renee renbi@tampabay.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 12:01 PM Subject: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-D Digest V02 #225
I am trying to help a friend identify what the local ward church for the 19th Ward in 1850 might have been. These were Irish Catholics. I am listing below the ward boundaries for the 19th Ward: 19th Ward 1 ED: 6th Ave - 52n St - East River - 40th St 2 ED: 6th Ave - 71st St - East River - 52n St (inclues Blackwell's Island) 3 ED: 6th Ave - 86th St - East River - 71st St Anyone have ideas? I appreciate the help. Don McGovern __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com
No, sorry, no idea. > Melissa, > > Would you happen to know where I may be able to acquire info. in Eire--say, > Cork and Kerry, please? > > Thank you so much. > > Shannah >
on 7/20/02 8:58 PM, Allie at allie55@earthlink.net wrote: > Hello again, Is anyone familiar with this address: 324 W. 259th St., > Bronx? The family name would have been Gaffney and they would have had > a daughter named Nellie. Nellie married a James Connor (don't know the > year)they had a son Harry possibly born on July 19, 1903. The SPCC > picked him up on july 19, 1906 he was committed by a Justice Wyatt of > NYC to the Dominican Convent in Sparkill. Also, along with my > grandfather was his step-sister Mabel Cunningham (Joseph Cunningham). > Both James Connor (or Connors) and Joseph Cunningham were deceased at > the time of their sent to the orphanage. Their mother Nellie's last > name at the time her children were taken was King. Any help would be > appreciated. Thanks so much to all of you volunteers! You are > great!Regards....Belinda > > > ==== IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY Mailing List ==== > List Administrators: > Tracy Cassidy GaelEire@aol.com > Jim McCarthy SPAGHETTICOWBOY@cs.com > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go > to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > Hello Belinda, I saw your request about Harry Conner. We had a friend of that name who died 6 June, 2002. His birthday was 10 September, but not sure of the year. He was in his 90's I know. His address was 8524 N. Fowler, Clovis, CA. Madeline
Melissan, Just reading this, I think I have lost my cookies--believe me, I do not recall what the devil I was thinking while writing you this! Dah! L O L I do apologize for any misunderstanding on m part! Thank you for replying. Shannah ----- Original Message ----- From: <Melissamcm@aol.com> To: <IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 2:15 PM Subject: [IRISH-NYC] Re: IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-D Digest V02 #224 > No, sorry, no idea. > > > > Melissa, > > > > Would you happen to know where I may be able to acquire info. in Eire--say, > > Cork and Kerry, please? > > > > Thank you so much. > > > > Shannah > > > > > > > ==== IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe, send an email with "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) to either: > IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L-request@rootsweb.com (List Version) > IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-D-request@rootsweb.com (Digest Version) > You can also unsubscribe from the website: > http://www.irishinnyc.freeservers.com > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >
Columbia University Teachers College Library has records of the New York Juvenile Asylum. I am looking for a volunteer who would be willing to search for my grandfather's orphanage records on microfilm. If anyone is willing to do this please email me off list for additional information. There is microfilm and hard copy material that can be copied. It would be sincerely appreciated. Carol
Since we just discussed the Catalpa rescue as part of the Clan na Gael series, I thought I would send in the lyrics to the folksong. I hope you enjoy it! Take care, Tracy The Catalpa An Australian Folksong A noble whale ship and commander Called the Catalpa, they say, Came out to Western Australia And took six poor Fenians away. (chorus) So come all you screw wardens and jailers Remember Perth regatta day, Take care of the rest of your Fenians Or the Yankees will steal them away. Seven long years had they served here And seven long more had to stay, For defending their country, Old Ireland, For that they were banished away. You kept them in Western Australia Till their hair began to turn grey, When a Yank from the States of America Came out here and stole them away. Now all the Perth boats were a-racing And making short tacks for the spot, But the Yankee, she tacked into Freemantle And took the best prize of the lot. The Georgette, armed with bold warriors Went out the poor Yanks to arrest, But she hoisted her star-spangled banner Saying you'll not board me, I guess. So remember those six Fenian colonials And sing o'er these few verses with skill, And remember the Yankee that stole them And the home that they left on the hill. Now they've landed safe in America And there will be able to cry, "Hoist up the green flag and shamrock Hurrah for old Ireland, we'll die!"
Hello again, Is anyone familiar with this address: 324 W. 259th St., Bronx? The family name would have been Gaffney and they would have had a daughter named Nellie. Nellie married a James Connor (don't know the year)they had a son Harry possibly born on July 19, 1903. The SPCC picked him up on july 19, 1906 he was committed by a Justice Wyatt of NYC to the Dominican Convent in Sparkill. Also, along with my grandfather was his step-sister Mabel Cunningham (Joseph Cunningham). Both James Connor (or Connors) and Joseph Cunningham were deceased at the time of their sent to the orphanage. Their mother Nellie's last name at the time her children were taken was King. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much to all of you volunteers! You are great!Regards....Belinda
In researching my McGovern ancestors I transcribed alot of the McGovern's living in Manhattan in 1850. For the benefit of my fellow McGovern's I decided to complete the transcription. I am listing below all the McGovern's I could find in the 1850 census for Manhattan. In the census index there are many names that looked very similiar to McGovern, ex. McGarvin, McGaven, etc. but I decided not to include in this list. I found approx. 60 McGovern families. My ancestors are the McGovern's in Ward 4, page 243. They arrived in Manhattan on March 9, 1849 on the Ship Nestorian. They were natives of Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, Ireland. Hope this list will be helpful to someone. Don McGovern 1850 US Census Manhattan Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 1 50 McGovern, Patrick 30 Ire Porter Conroy, James 30 Ire Porter 4 243 McGovern, James 57 Ire Laborer McGovern, Mary 56 Ire McGovern, Mary 19 Ire McGovern, James 12 Ire Attend School McGovern, Ann 9 Ire Attend School Living with a John & Bridget Frost, sailor, native of Maine. 5 5 McGovern, Ellen 22 NY Living with a Abraham Wilson and family, physician, native of NY. 5 93 McGovern, Bridget 20 Ire McGovern, Mary A. 9/12 Ire McGovern, James 23 Ire Bootmaker Living with a Thomas Glen and family, engineer, native of Ireland. 5 136 McGovern, Ann 40 Ire Living with a Joseph Strait, merchant, native of Ireland. 6 151 McGovern, Michael 44 Unknown Laborer In prison for intoxication. 6 256 McGovern, Francis 23 NY Paper Mailer Living with a bunch of unrelated people, most likely in boarding house. 7 387 McGovern, Ann 25 Ire Living with a D. J. Willetz and family, Handware, native of NY. Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 9 33 McGovern, Mary 18 Ire Living with a Lexton family, native of NY 9 33 McGovern, Julia 16 Ire Living with a William Howland, engraver, native of NY, and his family and workers. 9 39 McGovern, Hugh 35 Ire Coal Dealer McGovern, Mary 32 Ire McGovern, Bridget 17 Ire Attend School McGovern, Patrick 15 Ire Attend School McGovern, Mary 10 PA Attend School McGovern, catherine 7 PA Attend School 9 46 McGovern, Thomas 32 Ire Laborer Living with a Patrick Frilsey & family, carman, native of Ireland. 9 151 McGovern, Elizabeth 14 NY Attend School Living at the Orphan Asylum 9 151 McGovern, Catherine 10 NY Attend School Living at the Orpahn Asylum 9 272 McGovern, Barnett 20 NY ? Living with a Catherine Lawrence and family. 9 310 McGovern, Ellen 53 Ire Living with a Rody One and Family. 9 451 McGovern, Rose 18 Ire Living with a Cecilia Coyla native of NY. Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 10 6 McGovern, Thomas 30 Ire Fancy Store McGovern, Mary 29 Ire McGovern, Francis 9 NY Attend School McGovern, Mary E. 6 NY Attend School McGovern, Thomas 3 NY Golden, Julia 20 Ire McDonald, Catherine 12 Ire 10 149 McGovern, Margaret 22 Ire Living with a E.S. Tucker and family, restaraunt owner, native of Penn. 10 204 McGovern, Mary 40 Ire Can Not R&W McGovern, Mary Ann 8 NY McGovern, James 6 NY McGovern, Bridget 2 NY Doughty, Ann 44 Ire Can Not R&W Dorsey, Ann 18 Ire 10 271 McGovern, Catherine 50 Ire McGovern, Elizabeth 17 NY McGovern, John 13 NY McGovern, Susan 11 NY 12 55 McGovern, Michael 51 Ire Laborer McGovern, Bridget 45 Ire McGovern, Ann 16 Ire McGovern, Rosanna 10 Ire Attend School McGovern, Daniel 7 Ire Attend School McGovern, Mary 20 Ire 13 190 McGovern, Ellen 21 Ire Living with a John Gaynor and family, grocer, native of Ireland. 13 286 McGovern, John 31 Ire Gunsmith McGovern, Margaret 27 Ire McGovern, Henry 8 NY Attend School McGovern, Catherina 1 NY 13 382 McGovern, Bridget 25 Ire Living with a Titus Barker and family, pilot, native of NY. 13 401 McGovern, Julia 19 Ire Living with a Janus Morris and family, deputy sherriff, native of NJ. 14 9 McGovern, James 31 NY Plumber McGovern, Jane 23 NY McGovern, Jane A. 5/12 NY Appear to be living with many unrelated people, boarding house? 14 11 McGovern, Peter 40 Ire Laborer McGovern, Eliza 36 Ire 14 17 McGovern, Jane 34 Ire Living with a Michael Kinney and family, native of ireland 14 178 McGovern, Patrick 25 Ire Porter House McGovern, John 22 Ire Lindane, Edward 21 England Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 14 263 McGovern, James 34 Ire Laborer McGovern, Bridget 30 Ire McGovern, John 6 NY Attend School McGovern, Martin 3 NY McGovern, James 1 NY 14 273 McGovern, Hugh 36 Ire Laborer McGovern, Elizabeth 34 Ire McGovern, Mary 9 NY Attend School McGovern, Richard 73 NY Attend School McGovern, Elizabeth 1 NY McGovern, Hugh 5 NY Attend School 15 152 McGovern, Mary 18 England Living with a Charles Pittfield and family, Public House, native of England. 16 53 McGovery, Ann 18 Ire Servant Living with a Dormus Oslursky, Brewery, native of Connecticut. 16 192 McGovern, Edward 30 Ire McGovern, Catherine 30 Ire McGovern, Thomas 4 Ire McGovern, Jane 1 NY 17 35 McGovern, Michael 25 Ire Living with a Saumuel Compton and Family, Butcher, native of NY. 17 235 McGovern, Ellen 32 Ire Living with a Dr. William Wagstaff and family, physician, native of NY. 17 243 McGovern, Thomas 10 NY Living with a Catherine Lumy and family, native of Ireland. 17 256 McGovern, Bernard 45 Ire Cartman McGovern, Rose 45 Ire McGovern, James 20 Ire Cartman McGovern, Bernard Jr 18 Ire Clerk McGovern, Mary 15 Ire McGovern, Elizabeth 14 Ire Attend School McGovern, Bridget 11 Ire Attend School Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 17 263 McGovern, Owen 38 Ire Contractor McGovern, Bridget 36 Ire McGovern, James 11 NY Woods, Joseph 13 NY Woods, Rosanna 11 NY Higgins, Patrick 23 Ire Cartman Downes, Thomas 24 Ire Cartman McGovern, Bernard 29 Ire Cartman Gallagher, Bridget 17 Ire McGovern, Mary 84 Ire 17 264 McGovern, Philip 28 Ire Cartman McGovern, Catherine 24 Ire Cannot r&W McGovern, Owen 6 NY Attend School McGovern, Mary 5 NY McGovern, Philip 1 NY 17 318 McGovern, Michael 34 Ire Laborer McGovern, Ann 40 Ire 17 333 McGovern, Mary 50 Ire 17 355 McGovern, Ellen 19 Ire Living with a Henry Dodge, lawyer, native of NY. 17 431 McGovern, Catharine 16 Ire McGovern, Thomas 19 Ire Grate Setter Living with a David Meredith and family, blacksmith, native of Ireland. Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 18 45 McGovern, John 23 Ire Laborer Living with a Philip Kadden and family, native of Ireland. 18 45 McGovern, Ed 24 Ire Laborer Living with a Edward Uniack and family, liquor dealer, native of Ireland. 18 45 McGaughran, Patrick 45 Ire Laborer McGaughran, Cath 19 Ire McGaughran, Margaret 11 NY 18 56 McGovern, Elizabeth 74 Ire Living with a Dennis McGarrel and family, native of Ireland. 18 67 McGovern, Elizabeth 21 Ire Living with a Hirman Brick and family, native of Germany. 18 257 McGovern, Ellen 14 NY Living with a Matthew Bothery, House Smith, native of NY. 18 285 McGovern, Bernard 26 Ire Nailor McGovern, Mary 24 NY McGovern, Margaret 3 Ire McGovern, Patrick 5/12 Ire 18 323 McGovern, Mary 27 Ire Living with a William stedman and family, merchant, native of Mass. 18 353 McGovern, Sarah 40 Ire Cannot R&W Living with a George Schatt, Tabacconurt, worth $53000 !!, native of NY. Ward Page # Name Age POB Occup. 18 371 McGivern, Barney 50 Ire Pauper Living at Bellevue Hospital 18 371 McGarvin, Bridget 23 Ire Pauper Living at Bellevue Hospital 18 371 McGovern, Mary 36 Ire Pauper Living at Bellevue Hospital 19 27 McGovern, Hugh 40 Ire Laborer McGovern, Bridget 35 Ire $800 McGovern, Hugh 10 Ire McGovern, Mary 6 NY McGovern, Thomas 2 NY McGovern, Martin 5 NY 19 148 McGovern, John 28 Ire Laborer Living it appears in a boarding house with several people. 19 164 McGovern, Mary 35 Ire In Jail at Blackwell Island 19 188 McGovern, Charles 45 Ire Laborer Pauper Living it appears in a boarding house with several people. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com
Hi, still looking for my elusive PIPERs. I have discovered that one of them - John Morgan PIPER - had a business address in 1919 of 141st Street & Rider Avenue, Bronx, NY. Business name unknown. His son, Harold Gilbert PIPER graduated in civil engineering in 1925 and went to work for his father, so I assume the business was in a related field. If SKS could give me any hints on how to find out more about John and Harold (via the 'net or by mail since I am out of the country), it would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Annette Piper Coolah NSW Australia
This past Tuesday, the Irish Famine Memorial in New York City was dedicated. Guest speakers included Governor George Pataki, former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Malachy McCourt, Bob Geldolf, Cardinal John Egan, Martin McGuinness and Mary McAleese. This long overdue memorial sits in Battery Park, and offers views of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. A cottage from County Mayo was graciously donated to the memorial. You can read about the dedication and President Mary McAleese's poignant opening remarks at: http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/nyfamine.html Take care, Tracy
Organizations -- Clan na Gael Part 3 "Dynamite Saturday" Saturday, January 24, 1885, seemed to be another ordinary day in London. The Houses of Parliament were open to tourists. A family from Cork were visiting Westminster Hall, when they came upon a black bag covered by children's clothing. They reported it to the policeman on duty. The officer returned to the site to find the bag smoking. He picked it up and attempted to race outside with it. But the bag became too hot to hold. He threw the bag to the floor, where it exploded, causing a small crater in the floor. Two policemen were thrown into the crater by the force of the explosion. (Both survived.) Windows shattered. The building rocked. There was another explosion in the Chamber of the House of Commons. A bag had been placed in the seats of the gallery. The explosion completely destroyed the Peers Gallery and badly damaged the government front benches and speakers chairs. Damage extended all the way to the Member's Lobby and the Post Office. A third explosion took place at the Tower of London. A man was seen lighting the fuse and running away. He was later arrested and convicted, as was his accomplice. Who was responsible for the explosions? No one ever claimed responsibility. The two men convicted in the Tower of London explosion were Americans. Fingers pointed to the Fenian Brotherhood and/or Clan na Gael, though Devoy denied his group's part in it. NEXT: Clan na Gael and the Easter Rebellion
Organizations -- Clan na Gael Part 2 "The Catalpa Expedition" One of the most exciting rescues in history was hatched by Clan na Gael and John Devoy. John Boyle O'Reilly was a Fenian who was arrested and sentenced to the penal colony in Western Australia. While on board the prison ship, O'Reilly published "The Wild Geese," a newspaper detailing life on board. He managed to escape with the aid of a whaling captain named Henry Hathaway of New Bedford, Massachusetts. O'Reilly sent a letter to John Devoy in New York City, explaining prison life. He called himself, "a voice from the tomb." O'Reilly sailed into Boston, where he became the editor of the "Boston Pilot" newspaper. He attended a national Clan na Gael meeting and met with Devoy. Devoy urged him to speak of the conditions of the Fenians prisoners in Australia. Both Devoy and Clan na Gael were spurred into action. A committee was founded to formulate an escape plan for Fenian prisoners in Australia. Devoy went on a four-year fundraiser. Funds poured into Clan na Gael from around the country, from people of all walks of life and income levels. They raised $25,000. Devoy and O'Reilly traveled to New Bedford to find Captain Hathaway, hoping he would captain the rescue ship. Hathaway, a Quaker, had retired from the sea, but recommended his son-in-law, Captain George Anthony. Devoy purchased a 200 ton whaling ship, the Catalpa, for $5600 and outfitted her with a crew of Portuguese and African sailors. In April 1875, the Catalpa sailed out of New York Harbor. Only Captain Anthony knew her mission: Freemantle Prison in Western Australia, to free six Fenian prisoners. Meanwhile, Devoy planted agents in Western Australia to alert the prisoners of the rescue. He had Irish Republican Brotherhood members in New Zealand cut all telegraph cables, effectively cutting off Australia's communications. The Catalpa reached her destination in March 1876 and dropped anchor a few miles off the coast. Devoy's agents managed to free the six prisoners and escorted them to a nearby beach. There, they were met by Captain Anthony himself, and a boat. They sailed for 28 hours on storm-tossed seas before reaching the Catalpa. But all was not well. The British gunboat, Georgette, came upon the Catalpa and took chase. She overtook the whaling ship, and fired a shot across her bow. The Catalpa stopped and Anthony ordered the US flag raised. The following exchange took place: Georgette: "You have convicts aboard. We demand they be turned back." Anthony: "There are none aboard this ship but free men, and that flag makes it so. Fire on the Catalpa and you have declared war on the United States of America. I am under sail for the high seas." The Georgette retreated, and the Catalpa sailed for home. It took two weeks before the telegraph cables in New Zealand were repaired. The story then went worldwide. The Catalpa sailed into New York Harbor on August 19, 1876, to much fanfare. Tammany Hall hosted a reception for the escapees and there was a parade in lower Manhattan. The six Fenian prisoners whom the Catalpa freed were James Donagh, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hasset, Robert Cranston and James Wilson. The Catalpa Expedition was a success in other ways. It showed the power of the Irish-American population and Clan na Gael. Mostly, it was a 'shot in the arm' to the Irish cause. This would be the feather in the cap of John Devoy, and would earn him international respect. Suggested Reading: Peter Stevens. "The Voyage of the Catalpa: A Perilous Journey and Six Rebel's Flight to Freedom." 2002. NEXT: Dynamite Saturday