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88 [ VIII ] John J. Breslin’s Graphic Account of theEscapeof theSixPrisoners,theDashfortheBoat,theLongand WearyPullfortheShip,theArrivalonBoardintheNickof Time,and the Sharp ParleyWith the “Georgette”—TheVictoryWon Breslin’s Report—(Continued.) March 29th , at 6:30 p.m., found by the bulletin board that the Catalpa had put into Bunbury the day before, March 28th . As soon as the office opened, at ten o’clock, I telegraphed Captain Anthony: “Any news from New Bedford? When can you come to Freemantle?” I received in reply in the afternoon: “No news from New Bedford; will not come to Freemantle.” I engaged a seat by the mail car for Bunbury, and left Freemantle the following morning, arriving in Bunbury at four o’clock p.m., on Friday, 31st . I met Captain Anthony ashore and explained to him what I proposed doing with the ship; he expressed himself perfectly willing to do what I required of him; but his crew were in a very discontented state and attempting to desert the ship—four of them took a boat forcibly and made off for the bush; three of them were brought back and put in irons on board and the fourth was confined in Bunbury lock-up.187 The part of the coast I had selected for embarking from was distant from Freemantle about twenty miles south, at a place named Rockingham. It lies at the head of the sound, and a narrow passage at the end of Garden Island leads out to the sea. I intended the Catalpa should stand well out to sea, ten or twelve miles outside Garden Island, and a whale-boat put into Rockingham and pull out to the ship, 187. On March 30, four crewmen stole a boat and went ashore. Three had joined the ship at the Azores: Joseph McCarty, George Durgin, and Harry Duggin; the fourth, Cyrus Keill, was an original crew member. The authorities were alerted and caught the men that same afternoon. McCarty was put in jail because he insulted an arresting officer. The other three were returned to the ship, where they were kept in irons until April 8. Catalpa Log, March 30 through April 8, 1876. John Breslin’s GraphicAccount 89 when we would get on board, a distance of fourteen or sixteen miles, which could be easily done, under ordinary circumstances, in four or five hours. I was anxious that the captain should see the coast outside of Rockingham and know exactly where his ship should be, so I arranged with him to come up with me to Freemantle by the Georgette, which was due in Bunbury with the colonial mails on Saturday, April 1st . By this arrangement the captain would have time to see the coast, know the spot where I intended to embark the men and be back in time to put to sea, and leave me free to make the rescue on the morning of Thursday, April 6th . Saturday evening, while waiting for the Georgette to leave for Freemantle, Thomas Brennan, who left New York to join the Catalpa at Fayal, turned up unexpectedly as a passenger from Melbourne on board the Georgette. He recognized the Catalpa and came ashore to find out what he was to do; I had already more men than I could conveniently take to provide for, and again, he could not go on board at Bunbury without exciting suspicion, so I determined to let him come on to Freemantle and then do the best I could for him. GoingCarefullyOvertheGround Sunday morning, April 2d, from the bridge of the Georgette Captain Anthony had a good view of the coast outside Rockingham, and noted the positions of Rottnest , Garden Island and other principal landmarks. Arrived in Freemantle and found her Brittanic Majesty’s gunboat Convict,188 carrying two guns and thirty men, schooner-rigged and fast sailing, had arrived and anchored on the previous day. As the wind was for the most part light and variable, and the Catalpa a dull sailer unless with a stiff breeze, the chance of escape from pursuit was too slim to be risked. So the presence of the gunboat upset my plan for Thursday morning. On the afternoon of Monday I learned that the gunboat came to Freemantle on an annual visit, would remain eight or nine days and then proceed to Adelaide or Sydney ; also that another gunboat was expected to call at Freemantle and take Governor Robinson189 to visit the Northwest. I asked Captain Anthony to overhaul his vessel and paint...

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