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January 5, 1998
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While I was prowling the New Bedford Whaling Museum before the Moby Dick Marathon on Saturday (more on the Moby Dick marathon from today's New Bedford Standard-Times), I came across an exhibit about the whale ship, Catalpa, which sailed from New Bedford to Fremantle, Australia to rescue 6 Irish prisoners, Fenians, who had been sentenced there. For some reason, this incident in Irish (and New Bedford) history had escaped me. There's even a song about it. Don't know how I missed it. When I got home last night, I was still mulling over why on earth a bunch of sailors from New Bedford would rescue a bunch of Irish revolutionaries. Boy, I really wish I'd paid more attention to my Grandmother's stories - actually her stories were mostly about the Black and Tan war, which was early this century. The Catalpa rescued 19th century revolutionaries. Since the captain's log from the expedition is under glass in the museum, I resorted to the net to see if I could find out a little more about this story. I did manage to find a fascinating article: Combining Yankee Grit and Irish Pluck.. - Full Text: March '96 Military History Feature. This would make a great movie, thinks I. Independently, 75 miles away, Nancy thinks: "Janet should pitch this idea to Steven Speilberg as a movie." I think she has Amistad on the brain (it was filmed on location in Rhode Island). A little more research reveals that not only has somebody already considered the movie potential of the Catalpa, but he's written a play about pitching the movie idea to Hollywood!!! Shoot there goes my big break! Still room for a novel, maybe? | |
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