Following the Fenian Rising of 1867 in Ireland, many involved in the insurrection faced severe repercussions, leading to arrests and life sentences. Among these were six individuals who came to be known as the 'Catalpa Six'—John J. Breslin, Thomas A. P. O'Mahony, and others—who were incarcerated at Fremantle Prison. While they were held far from their homeland, a network in the United States began to organize their rescue. Key to the success of this mission was John Devoy, a notable Irish nationalist and member of the Fenian Brotherhood, who arranged for the Catalpa to sail from the US to Australia under the pretense of conducting a whaling expedition.As the Catalpa approached the Australian coast, a series of well-planned maneuvers culminated in the release of the prisoners. On the appointed day, the plan unfolded with precision: while the prisoners were on a working detail outside the prison walls, their rescuers mustered the courage to approach them in a daring operation. By emphasizing the element of surprise, the team managed to evade law enforcement at the last moment. After successfully retrieving the prisoners, they sailed away toward the safety of America, cementing their escape in the annals of history as one of the most remarkable rescue missions of the era.