by Joy Lefroy
Give my love and regards to all old friends—Roantree, Devoy, Burke [General], McCafferty, Captain Holden, O’Donovan Rossa, St Clair and others, not forgetting yourself and Mrs., and believe me that, even should it be my fate to perish in this villainous dungeon of the world, the last pulse of my heart shall beat God Save Ireland.
Direct your letter to Rev. Father McCabe, Fremantle. Do not put my name on the outside of the letter.
Yours Truly
Martin J Hogan
Erin go Bragh!
Reference: Liam Barry, Voices from the Tomb—a biographical dictionary of the 62 Fenians transported to Western Australian, National Gaelic Publications, 2006, p.117.
5.4 INFORMATION: THE WILD GOOSE
The Wild Goose: A Collection of Ocean Waifs was a handwritten newspaper created in late 1867 by some of the Fenian prisoners aboard the Hougoumont, the last ship to transport convicts to Australia.
Seven issues of the newspaper were produced, each written and decorated by hand. Only one copy of each issue was made and it was read aloud to all on board to provide entertainment during the long and arduous voyage to Fremantle.
The title of the newspaper was chosen because Irish soldiers who fought overseas from as early as the 16th century gave themselves the name of Wild Geese. These soldiers hoped that, like migrating geese, they would return to their homeland one day.
The newspapers survived and today provide a fascinating insight into life on board the ship. They contain songs, stories, articles, advice, poems and even comedy.
John Boyle O’Reilly (one of the military Fenians who subsequently escaped in 1869 from Bunbury, Western Australia) wrote several poems for the paper, including ‘The Flying Dutchman’ and ‘The Old School Clock’.
All seven issues were donated to the Mitchell Library in 1967 by the granddaughter of John Flood (one of the Fenians). The papers are bound into one book and are now part of the State Library of New South Wales collection. There are references to the newspapers in the websites of the Mitchell Library, the Library of New South Wales and Trove (online library of Australia). Transcripts from two issues of the paper can be found at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Wild_Goose
On 9 September 2005, a memorial was unveiled at Rockingham, south of Fremantle. The statue is near to where the Fenians were taken off the beach in the whaleboat by Captain Anthony and his crew. It shows six wild geese taking flight.
To see an image of The Wild Goose go to www.fremantleprison.com.au and type ‘Escape! Exhibition’ into the advanced search box (top right). Click the item titled Escape! Fremantle to Freedom.
This monument on the beachfront at Rockingham, Western Australia, was designed by Francis Conlan with sculptors Joan Walsh Smith and Charles Smith. Photographs: Mike Lefroy.
5.5 STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: English—Report writing
Write a report to describe an event that may have occurred during the voyage of the Hougoumont—for instance: an argument between prisoners; a concert or entertainment such as crossing the equator (Hint: research ‘crossing the equator’ to find out what traditionally happened to first-timers); shipboard punishment for disobeying authority such as a flogging with a cat-o’-nine-tails.
Activity 2: Art
Denis Cashman, one of the Fenians, decorated The Wild Goose with shamrocks and ivy wreaths reflecting his Irish background. Design a new masthead for a similar convict paper written from a prison. Decorate it with symbols from a convict’s perspective. Make a new title to reflect where the convict has come from.
Activity 3: Interpreting Historical References
Go through Martin J Hogan’s letter ‘from the tomb’ and write down any words you don’t know. Research their meanings. Now write the letter in your own words.
Activity 4: English—Drama
Write and perform a mini scene for a play that shows one event that may have occurred on the voyage.
Activity 5: English—Creative writing
Here is an extract from John Boyle O’Reilly’s novel Moondyne that describes his first sight of Fremantle when he arrived in the ship Hougoumont in 1868. Moondyne is a novel loosely based on the famous Western Australian bushranger Moondyne Joe. It was published in 1879.
The surrounding sea and land were very strange and beautiful. The green shoal-water, the soft air, with a yellowish warmth, the pure white sand of the beach, and the dark green of the unbroken forest beyond, made a scene almost like fairyland.
But there was a stern reminder of reality in the little town of Fremantle that lay between the forest and the sea. It was built of wooden houses, running down a gentle hill; and in the centre of the houses, spread out like a gigantic star-fish, was the vast stone prison.
What other senses and emotions could the convicts have experienced? In particular consider sounds and smells.
Imagine you have been on board a ship for three months. You have your first sight of Australia. What are your first impressions? Use all five senses to describe them.
6.1 INFORMATION: WHALING IN THE 1800s
Whaling was an important world industry in the 1800s. It was one of the most prominent businesses in America, with hundreds of American ships roaming the globe and bringing back whale oil and other products.
Oil from a whale’s blubber (the thick insulating fat under its skin) was used for lighting and lubrication of machinery. When a whale was killed, it was towed by the boat crew to the mother ship and its blubber was peeled from its carcass in a process known as flensing. Chunks of blubber were boiled in large vats to produce oil, which was sealed in wooden casks.
Whale oil was also used to manufacture soaps, paint, varnish and margarine. The whale’s bones were also used for a variety of products—little was wasted.
The oil found in the head of the sperm whale, spermaceti, was highly prized. The oil was waxy, and commonly used in making candles that were considered the best in the world, producing a bright clear flame with little smoke. Spermaceti, distilled in liquid form, was also used as an oil to fuel lamps. The main American whaling port—New Bedford, Massachusetts (home port of Catalpa)—was known as ‘The City that Lit the World’.
In 1869, John Boyle O’Reilly, one of the military Fenians imprisoned in Western Australia, managed to escape on board the American whaler Gazelle. Back in Boston he recommended the use of a whaling ship for the rescue attempt of the remaining Fenians. Catalpa, a whaling ship, was chosen because there were similar American whaling ships around the Western Australian coast at that time, so it was unlikely to arouse suspicion from authorities.
Whaling ships would be away from home for long periods. Sailors on board ship worked hard to catch and process whales and maintain the ship but in their spare time they used their skills to make craft objects. Two popular leisure time activities were scrimshaw (a general name for objects carved from or decorative scenes etched on whale teeth or bone) and decorative rope work.
For more information about whaling and scrimshaw try the following websites:
Whale World: Albany’s Historic Whaling Station—information about whales and whale products and the history of whaling in Western Australia: www.whaleworld.org
The New Bedford Whaling Museum in America has the largest, most varied, and most representative collection of scrimshaw in the world: www.whalingmuseum.org
Scrimshaw—general information about scrimshaw: www.hopscrimshaw.com/about/scrimhistory.htm
6.2 STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Investigation
The whaling industry used every part of the whale—little was wasted.
Complete the table that shows the original use of the parts of the whale. Fill in the gaps to show what part of the whale these products came from. (Hint: the words you need are held within the word sleuth.)
There are now substitutes for all whale products and it is not necessary to hunt and kill whales for commercial or scientific reasons. Find out the modern alternatives for the original use.
&nbs
p; Part of whale
Original use
Modern alternative
umbrella ribs
decorated for artwork
fertiliser
setting perfume
oil for lamps
food
string for tennis racquets
soap
margarine
Part of whale*
ambergris
baleen
blubber
bonemeal
meat
sperm oil
teeth
tendons
whale oil
*Check your dictionary for words you don’t know.
Activity 2: Values
Do a PMI chart (Plusses, Minuses, Interesting) to assess the value of whaling in the mid 1800s.
Do a PMI chart that addresses the current issues of whaling.
Activity 3: Art and Design
Whaling ships would be away from home for long periods. Sailors in their spare time used to make craft objects. Two popular leisure time activities were scrimshaw (carving scenes onto whale teeth or bone) and decorative rope work.
Make a friendship bracelet using string. (Example: www.mediamessage.com/kayton/GirlScouts/bracelet.htm)
Make a scrimshaw style carving from soapstone, cuttlebone or a similar soft medium.
(Information: www.hopscrimshaw.com/about/scrimhistory.htm)
Activity 4: Reading Comprehension
Read the text ‘Who does what in a whaleboat when chasing a whale?’ below. After reading, print and label this diagram of the whaleboat by putting the correct number in each of the diagram’s blank circles. Then, add your own labels to the diagram that show where each of the crew would be seated as they approach a whale.
Who does what in a whaleboat when chasing a whale?
The following descriptions are based on information in the book The Whaleboat by Willits D Ansel (ISBN 9780913372401).
MATE OR BOATHEADER This is the officer in charge of the boat. He steers the boat from the stern (back) by turning the rudder with the tiller while approaching the whale. After the whale is harpooned and the boat is connected to the whale with the whale line (rope), the mate goes forward and lances (kills) the whale with a special harpoon.
BOATSTEERER The boatsteerer sits at the bow (front) and pulls the forward oar, called the harpooner’s oar, until the boat is close enough to dart (throw) the harpoon. After darting, he changes places with the mate and steers the boat.
BOWMAN The bowman pulls the second oar. He assists the boatsteerer in stepping (raising) and lowering (taking down) the mast and sail. He pulls in on the whale line (rope) and holds it while the mate is lancing the whale.
MIDSHIP OARSMAN The midship oarsman pulls on the midship oar.
TUB OARSMAN The tub oarsman pulls the tub oar. He also wets the line (rope) attached to the harpoon as the whale sounds (dives under the water) to prevent the rope burning from friction.
AFTER OARSMAN The after oarsman at the stern of the boat pulls the stroke oar. He coils the line (rope) as it is brought aboard while the boat is being pulled up alongside the whale. He helps catch and secure the mast after it is lowered. He also bails (tips out) the water from the boat. The after oarsman is responsible to the boatsteerer in maintaining the whaleboat. He is generally the lightest man in the boat.
Image used with permission, courtesy of the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle.
Bailing scoops—used to remove water from the boat
Fresh water keg
Harpoons and lances (seven shown, of various shapes and sizes)—harpoons used for attaching the boat to the whale; lances used to kill the whale when it tires from dragging the boat
Lantern keg—watertight keg containing a lantern, matches, candles, ship’s biscuits, tobacco and other items important for survival at sea
Line tub—holds the line that is attached to the harpoons
Marking flag (mostly hidden)—a red flag for driving into the whale carcass so the mother ship can see the dead whale floating from a distance
Mast, boom and mainsail—when raised, used for sailing the boat; can be quickly lowered and stowed when approaching the whale
Oars—used for rowing the boat
Paddles—used for quietly approaching the whale
Steering oar—a large oar in the stern
7.1 INFORMATION: THE VOYAGE OF THE CATALPA
In 1867 the ship Hougoumont with its cargo of 280 convicts left England for Fremantle, Western Australia. Among the prisoners were 62 Irish Fenians. Most were civilians with some hope of pardon but those who had deserted from the British army faced life imprisonment.
By 1871 many of the civilian Fenians had been released. However, life for those who had served in the British army looked grim. They had been convicted of treason and for them there would be no pardon.
But they were not forgotten. One of their number, John Boyle O’Reilly, had escaped from Western Australia in 1869 and by the early 1870s was working as a journalist in Boston, America. He became part of a group that was determined to rescue the remaining military Fenians from Fremantle. A daring plan was hatched to buy a whaling ship, Catalpa, and use it for the rescue.
In April 1875, under the command of Captain Anthony, Catalpa set sail from New Bedford, America on the secret mission. At first the ship sailed east across the Atlantic hunting whales. At the island of Fayal, in the Azores archipelago, Captain Anthony unloaded 210 barrels of oil. From there, Catalpa sailed south.
Not long after rounding the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Anthony met another ship, Ocean Beauty, and went on board. He must have been amazed at the coincidence when he discovered the ship’s captain, William Cozens, had been the master of the convict ship Hougoumont when it took the Fenians to Fremantle in 1867. Anthony did not tell Cozens that his secret mission was to rescue the Fenians. He was surprised when Captain Cozens gave him the very charts of the waters around Western Australia that he had used seven years earlier to transport those Fenians to Fremantle.
While Catalpa sailed east, two Fenian sympathisers named John Breslin (calling himself James Collins) and Thomas Desmond (calling himself Tom Johnson) sailed west from San Francisco, also bound for Australia. Once in Fremantle, Desmond found work as a carriage maker. Breslin, posing as a wealthy investor, set himself up in a local hotel. Having secretly made contact with the Fenian prisoners, Breslin and Desmond waited patiently for news and instructions from Catalpa.
When he arrived in Bunbury, south of Fremantle, Captain Anthony sent coded telegraph messages to the secret agents in Fremantle to prepare for the critical stages of the rescue mission.
7.2 STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Mapping
Using your own copy of the world map, mark these places.
Ireland
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia
Albany, Western Australia, Australia
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Fayal Island (in the Azores off the coast of Portugal—mid North Atlantic Ocean)
Portland, England, UK
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
New York, New York, USA
San Francisco, California, USA
Make a Key to show the following on your map:
The route of the Hougoumont carrying the Fenians to Western Australia.
The route of the two spies, Breslin and Desmond, travelling by sea to Fremantle from San Francisco via Sydney, Melbourne and Albany.
The route of the Catalpa from America to Fremantle.
Research and draw the route of Catalpa from Western Australia back to America.
Activity 2: Maths
Estimate the distance travelled by the Hougoumont on its journey from Portland to Fremantle. Find a world map and use the scale to estimate the distance.
Estimate the time the jo
urney would have taken if the ship travelled directly to Fremantle without stopping. (Assume the average speed of the ship is 10km per hour.)
8.1 INFORMATION: LIFE AT SEA IN THE 1800s—WHAT’S ON THE MENU TODAY?
The food on board ships like the Hougoumont and Catalpa in the 1800s was very basic. Lack of refrigeration meant there was little fresh food and lots of salted and dried food. However, the crews on sailing ships were well fed compared with many of their family and friends back on shore. Everyone needed to be fit and healthy to operate the ship because nothing happened unless men pulled on ropes and climbed into the rigging to furl or unfurl sails. Crews on whaleboats had to be particularly fit as they also had to chase the whales in small rowing boats, catch them, tow them back to the ship and then process the carcasses.
Ship’s biscuits, also known as ‘hard tack’, were an important part of the diet of all mariners. Sailors could choose how they ate their biscuits. They could be ground up and added to stews, or mixed with hot water and eaten as a mush. Each biscuit would have to be softened in some way as they were too hard to bite.
Ship’s biscuits were an important part of the daily ration on board and if stored properly they would keep for years. Sometimes sailors would find tiny insects called weevils living in their biscuits and they would have to tap each biscuit firmly on a surface before eating to dislodge the unwanted visitors. During the US Civil War, troops were issued with hard tack that had been made for soldiers during the Mexican– American War fifteen years earlier. Hard tack has amazing keeping properties!
