In Conversation: Jim Ryan on the Catalpa Escape
Standard | $10
Concession | $8
Junior | $8
Location
WA Maritime Museum Theatre
Site access information
WA Maritime Museum is mostly accessible, excluding tours aboard the HMAS Ovens. Call 1300 134 081 for assistance. More about accessibility and amenities >
Join Michael Barker, Editor of Fremantle Shipping News, for an in‑conversation event and live podcast recording with Jim Ryan, great‑grandson of Captain George Anthony of the American whaling ship Catalpa.
Jim has travelled from New Bedford, USA, to share the extraordinary tale of the Catalpa Rescue – a daring escape that unfolded right here on our shores in 1876.
Six Irish political prisoners, known as Fenians, broke free from Fremantle Prison and were spirited away from Rockingham beach on Catalpa. What followed was a high-stakes chase across the Indian Ocean, a clash of flags and nations, and ultimately, one of the boldest prison breaks in history.
Jim’s account will offer a rare glimpse into the legacy of his ancestor, Captain Anthony – the brave seafarer who believed in “doing the right thing.”
This incredible story, played out across Fremantle, Bunbury, and Rockingham, had all the elements of a Hollywood blockbuster:
- An American in Fremantle posing as a wealthy investor
- A crowd-funded scheme to purchase a whaling vessel
- An epic voyage around the world
- And a captain whose courage changed lives forever
Michael will guide the conversation with Jim, drawing out the drama, the humanity, and the enduring significance of the Catalpa Rescue.
Please note that this event is being recorded live for Fremantle Shipping News The Catalpa Escape Podcast Series.
This event is proudly presented by the WA Museum and the FFF as part of the Fenians Festival 2026.
