The Tragedy Of The Ms St Louis Stories Of Our Past

It was a sunny day on May 13, 1939, when the MS St Louis departed from the port of Hamburg, Germany. The ship was carrying 937 passengers, most of whom were Jewish refugees fleeing from the horrors of Nazi Germany. Little did they know that their journey would become a symbol of tragic human suffering and indifference.

The MS St Louis was bound for Havana, Cuba, where the refugees hoped to find safety and a new beginning. However, their dreams would be shattered when their pleas for asylum were denied by the Cuban government. As the ship anchored off the coast of Havana, the passengers waited anxiously, hoping that their fate would change. But despite their desperate appeals, they were ultimately refused entry.

With nowhere else to go, the captain of the MS St Louis, Gustav Schroeder, set sail for the United States. The passengers held on to a glimmer of hope that they would be allowed to enter the country. American newspapers reported on the plight of the refugees, portraying them as innocent victims seeking refuge from the horrors of Nazi persecution. The public sentiment was sympathetic, and many Americans rallied to support their cause.

"The Saddest Ship Afloat": The Tragedy of the MS St. Louis (Stories of Our Past)

by Allison Lawlor (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5714 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	128 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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However, the US government did not respond positively. The State Department, under the leadership of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, turned a blind eye to the crisis. While a small number of passengers were granted entry into the US, the majority were rejected. The reasons given were bureaucratic and xenophobic, reflecting the prevailing attitudes towards immigrants at the time.

The tragedy of the MS St Louis reached its peak when the ship was forced to return to Europe. The passengers, filled with despair and uncertainty, were left to face an unknown fate. Some were fortunate enough to find refuge in the UK, France, and other European countries. But for many, the journey ended in concentration camps and death camps.

The story of the MS St Louis is a haunting reminder of the inhumanity that can occur when compassion is overshadowed by fear and prejudice. It is estimated that at least a quarter of the passengers perished in the Holocaust. Their lives were cut short, their hopes and dreams extinguished.

Decades later, the tragedy of the MS St Louis continues to resonate. It serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of indifference and the importance of standing up for those in need. The story has been immortalized in books, documentaries, and films, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.

The MS St Louis reminds us of the importance of empathy and compassion in the face of adversity. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning a blind eye to the suffering of others. It is a story that should be told and retold, so that we may learn from our past and strive for a future where no one is denied refuge and safety.

In , the tragedy of the MS St Louis represents a dark chapter in our history. It is a reminder of the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness. As we reflect on this tragic event, let it serve as a catalyst for change and as a call to action. We must never forget the stories of our past, for they shape our present and future.

"The Saddest Ship Afloat": The Tragedy of the MS St. Louis (Stories of Our Past)

by Allison Lawlor (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5714 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	128 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A true story of hundreds of Jewish refugees and the sea journey they hoped would save them.

On May 13, 1939, the eve of the Second World War, the MS St. Louis left port in Hamburg, Germany, headed for Havana, Cuba. Among the ship’s passengers were more than six hundred Jews attempting to escape Nazi rule. But most of the visas the passengers had purchased turned out to be fake, and after several days in limbo in Havana’s harbor, the ship’s captain turned back for Europe. Canadian and American activists petitioned their governments to accept the refugees on humanitarian grounds, but to no avail. On its return, the ship would distribute its passengers among European countries, and over the course of the war, an estimated 250 would die in Nazi concentration camps.

This volume in the Stories of our Past series is illustrated with photos and sidebar features on the voyage, glimpses into the lives of passengers, a look at Canada’s postwar refugee policy, and memorials dedicated to preserving the story of this tragic event in Canadian immigration history.