This October, Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford will host a special commemoration of one of the most daring rescues in maritime and Irish history—the Catalpa Rescue.
In 1876, the American whaling ship Catalpa set sail from New Bedford on a mission that would capture the world’s imagination. Led by Captain George Anthony, a New Bedford native, the Catalpa made its way to Western Australia. There, six Irish Fenian prisoners were held in Fremantle Prison for their fight against British rule. With careful planning by Irish exiles in America and allies abroad, the men were freed and spirited away aboard the Catalpa.
The mission was a triumph of courage and solidarity, hailed as both a humanitarian act and a major propaganda victory for the Fenian cause. It symbolized the fight for Irish independence while highlighting the connections between New Bedford’s whaling community and global history.
Special Guests at this anniversary event include:
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Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell, who represents Galway West and South Mayo and serves as spokesperson on Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation.
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Marcus Howard, an independent historian and filmmaker, who will speak about “The Greatest Escape in Irish History: Voices From the Tomb” as part of the 150th anniversary reflections.
This event, sponsored by The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick New Bedford, celebrates not just a remarkable rescue but the enduring ties between New Bedford and Ireland’s history of resilience and independence.
Event Details
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Date: Monday, October 27th
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Time: 7:00 PM
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Location: Seamen’s Bethel, New Bedford
Please click here to register.