Catalpa

This is the extraordinary true story of Australia’s most daring escape.

It is 150 years since an audacious plan was hatched to rescue a group of unlawfully persecuted Irishmen from Fremantle Prison.

The plot involved friendships and political alliances, secret letters, undercover spies, treachery and a ship, Catalpa, sailing under a false flag. The bold Fenians contended with police on their trail, a looming storm and the threat of international war.

Combining beautiful original illustrations by Marion Duke with historical artefacts such as contemporaneous lithographs and scrimshaw, the authors blend narrative and non-fiction storytelling to create a thrilling new picture book.