Archimidis – United Nations
"United Nations" sailed from Civitavecchia on December 14th 1947, with 537 immigrants on board.
The "United Nations" Haapala ship (named after the international organization that decided to divide Israel and establish a Jewish state on 29.11.47) prepared to depart for Israel from Porto Venero, Italy. The ship was built in Italy and served as a sail-boat during WWII. The ship commander was Palyam member, David Maimon. The 'Gidoni' (wireless operator) was Shoshana Keini (Carmeli.) An additional escort was Man Vardi.
"United Nations" sailed from Civitavecchia on December 14th 1947, with 537 immigrants on board. The British authorities, who were busy capturing the two "Pans" ("Pan York" and "Pan Crescent"), didn't notice the ship. Due to considerations by those in charge of the disembarkation in Israel, the ship was ordered to change its route a day before it ended its voyage: Head south and arrive in Tel-Aviv from Egypt, instead of from Nahariya in the north. Maimon feared that extending the voyage may expose the ship to the British inspection; it also meant missing out on the opportunity to arrive on January 1st, while the British were less alert, and busy with New Year celebrations. He decided on his own to stick to the original plan of arriving in Nahariya.
The Haapala ship succeeded in entering the Nahariya shore at midday on January 1st 1948, without being exposed. It ran aground about 80 meters from the shore, and the unloading of immigrants began immediately, aided by the Italian seamen on the ship and nearby residents who were summoned there. The disembarkation was about three hours long. Approximately 300 immigrants were left in Nahariya, and the rest were dispersed in nearby settlements. The British military forces were late to react, and when their searches began a few hours later, they only partially located the immigrants. However, following negotiations with the Jewish Agency administration, the British gave up and released the arrested immigrants.
"United Nations" was the last ship that broke the British embargo on the shores of Israel.
"United Nations" sailed from Civitavecchia on December 14th 1947, with 537 immigrants on board. The British authorities, who were busy capturing the two "Pans" ("Pan York" and "Pan Crescent"), didn't notice the ship. Due to considerations by those in charge of the disembarkation in Israel, the ship was ordered to change its route a day before it ended its voyage: Head south and arrive in Tel-Aviv from Egypt, instead of from Nahariya in the north. Maimon feared that extending the voyage may expose the ship to the British inspection; it also meant missing out on the opportunity to arrive on January 1st, while the British were less alert, and busy with New Year celebrations. He decided on his own to stick to the original plan of arriving in Nahariya.
The Haapala ship succeeded in entering the Nahariya shore at midday on January 1st 1948, without being exposed. It ran aground about 80 meters from the shore, and the unloading of immigrants began immediately, aided by the Italian seamen on the ship and nearby residents who were summoned there. The disembarkation was about three hours long. Approximately 300 immigrants were left in Nahariya, and the rest were dispersed in nearby settlements. The British military forces were late to react, and when their searches began a few hours later, they only partially located the immigrants. However, following negotiations with the Jewish Agency administration, the British gave up and released the arrested immigrants.
"United Nations" was the last ship that broke the British embargo on the shores of Israel.