A thrilling true story of heroism, adventure and triumph from established children’s writer, Vincent McDonnell. In April 1875 the whaler Catalpa sailed from New Bedford in America, on a daring mission: to rescue six Fenian prisoners from the toughest prison in Western Australia. The Irishmen had been convicted of treason against the British Queen and were considered traitors.
Fearing for their lives, they pleaded with comrades in America to be rescued.
On Easter Monday 1876, the prisoners made their bid for freedom. But their ordeal wasn’t over – the alarm had been raised. A race against time ensued. Would the prisoners reach safety before they were captured? Was the escape doomed to failure?
This is the story of that rescue attempt, a story of courage, endurance and daring, an exciting and thrilling sea story.
Vincent McDonnell from County Mayo lives near Newmarket, County Cork. In 1989 he won the GPA First Fiction Award. He has published three other non-fiction titles for children – The Story of the GAA, Michael Collins – Most Wanted Man and Titanic Tragedy. Winner of numerous
prizes, he has been writer in residence at many venues, including his current residency in Nessan’s Primary School, Limerick. He gives workshops and readings throughout Ireland.
Published in May 2010 • Price: €6.99/ £5.99 • ISBN: 978-1-84889-038-1 • Paperback • 210 x 148 mm • 128 pp
