The Catalpa rescue was the escape, on 17โ19 April 1876, of six Irish Fenian prisoners from the Convict Establishment, a British penal colony in Western Australia. They were taken on the convict ship Hougoumont to Fremantle, Western Australia, arriving 9 January 1868. In 1869, pardons had been issued to many of the imprisoned Fenians. Another round of pardons was issued in 1871, after which only a small group of "military" Fenians remained in Western Australia's penal system.
Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia
Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.
On April 17, in the year 1876, Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of April 17, one of 401 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on April 17, 1876 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 2 Wikipedia articles.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 7 April 2026.
On This Date in History 401
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More on April 17
The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another sta
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.
An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, Texas, kills 15 people and injures 160 others
An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, Texas, kills 15 people and injures 160 others.
A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates an explosive device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 11 people and injuring 70
A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates an explosive device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 11 people and injuring 70.
Anneli Jäätteenmäki takes office as the first female prime minister of Finland
Anneli Jäätteenmäki takes office as the first female prime minister of Finland.
Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-90, the final Spacelab mission
Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-90, the final Spacelab mission.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.