Flag of the Catalpa to be on display for two days this weekend

Dowth's John Boyle O’Reilly among leaders of historic rescue

This weekend, the Flag of the Catalpa will go on public display at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks to mark the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa ship rescue, when six Irish Fenians were broken out of a convict establishment in a British penal colony in Western Australia. Among the leaders of the historic rescue from Freemantle was John Boyle O’Reilly from Dowth.

On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April, the ship’s flag, which played a key role in the success of this rescue mission, will go on display in the Palatine Room at Collins Barracks. This will be the first public exhibition of the flag since it was donated to the National Museum in October 1972.

The flag, which measures 4.5 x 3 metres and bears 36 hand-sewn stars, is the largest flag in the national collection. It was the official flag of the United States of America between 4th July 1865 and 4th July 1867 and was the flag of the Catalpa at the time of the Fenian rescue in 1876.

It is one of the last remaining artefacts of the historic prison break that took place in Western Australia 150 years ago, between 17th and 19th April 1876, when six Fenian leaders were rescued aboard the US whaling ship, known as the Catalpa.

Thomas Darragh, James Wilson, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett, and Robert Cranston, were among 62 Irish Republican Brotherhood leaders and supporters transported to Fremantle in Western Australia in the aftermath of the Fenian uprising of 1867.

By 1875, while most had been released, these men were still incarcerated at the penal colony in Fremantle.

John Devoy, leader of Clan na Gael in New York, and John Boyle O’Reilly and Thomas McCarthy Fennell, who had both been imprisoned in Fremantle, initiated the rescue of the prisoners by arranging the purchase of the Catalpa and its re-fitting as a whaling ship to send to Western Australia to bring the Fenians to the United States.

In April 1876, after 11 months, the Catalpa, under the command of Captain George Anthony, arrived at Western Australia and awaited the escapees.

As the six Fenians finally boarded the Catalpa, the Georgette, a ship of the British authorities in Fremantle, gave chase, threatening to fire on the Catalpa unless the crew surrendered the prisoners.

When Captain Anthony raised the ship’s US flag and warned the Georgette that they would be firing on the United States, the Georgette returned to Fremantle to avoid an international incident and the Catalpa returned safely to New York.

Brenda Malone, curator of military history, National Museum of Ireland, said: “This is a really evocative piece of history that we’re putting on display for the public. The Catalpa rescue mission is one of the most celebrated prison breaks of this era and an important milestone in the fight for Irish independence, with its success boosting confidence in and support for the cause in both Ireland and the United States of America.

“To have the original flag from the historic mission under the care of the National Museum is a real honour and privilege and we are delighted to be able to share this piece of history with the public this month.”

Dr Éimear O'Connor, Interim Director and Director of Collections and Access, National Museum of Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to showcase the Catalpa flag to the public to mark the 150th anniversary of the historic Fenian rescue in Western Australia. It is the largest flag in the national collection, and its size and delicate condition prevents it from being shown in standard gallery spaces, but it will be on display in the Palatine Room for two days to mark the anniversary, making this a rare opportunity for the public to view this important historic object in person.”