Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Rafiah רפיח was a coal powered passenger steamer
Registered name: ΑΘΗΝΑ MS Athina Ex-Panaghia Ex-Joyeuse
Nickname: Jena
Built: 1893, in Piraeus Πειραιάς, (G T Soley & Company of Greenock)
Owner: Hellenic Steam Navigation Co. (J. McDowall & Barbour, managers)
Rigging: steel single screw,
Engine: Propulsion: triple expansion engine with 3 cylinders of 14, 22 & 37 1 / 2 inches diameter; stroke 30 inches; 77 nominal horsepower; built by McDowall & Barbour, Piraeus Πειραιάς
Port of registry: Piraeus Πειραιάς
2 Decks and Spar Deck
Capacity: 455 tons gross
Palyam.org cites: 650 GRT and 172 tons net
Dimitris Galon cites: ΑΘΗΝΑ MS Athina was owned by the Chatzikostanti Brothers Αφοί Χατζηκωσταντή, and was 455 GRT
Fritz Liebreich cites: 273 tons
Length: 162 feet
Beam: 23.6 foot beam
Holds: 14 feet deep
Forecastle 30 feet long
Reuven Yatir cites Rafiah רפיח was "a plain cargo, motor vessel bridge and accomodation aft. Two cargo holds fwd of the bridge, 1 mast."
Rafiah רפיח, the 34th Haapalah vessel, was named after the Arab town of رفح, on the border between Palestine and Egypt, where members of the Haganah had been detained in June, 1946.

Between 1935 and 1939, MV Αθηνά Athinai was laid up in Pireaus Πειραιάς, but was finally removed as an obstruction to shipping.
In 1939, she sank, while in tow outside the harbor, from unrepaired leaks.

In 1939, MV Αθηνά Athinai was acquired, while under water, for scrap, by Emanuel Dimitrios Konstandi Stefani, who, in turn, sold her to Georgios T. Fatsis & Co. for 40 million drachmae.
After installation of the Deutz Diesel engine, she was sold to the Caribbean Atlantic Ship Corporation of Panama, for 700 gold sovereigns.

In September, 1946. MV Αθηνά Athinai was acquired by Mossad leAliyah Bet.
Reuven Yatir , who was sent to Greece, to work with Yanni Avidov, cites because of delays in arranging finances, seller and buyer agreed to move the vessel from Piraeus Πειραιάς to a protected bay in the island of Sapienza, out of reach of the Greek and British authorities.
The acquisition of MV Αθηνά Athinai was concluded in mid-October, 1946.
Reuven Yatir cites: "When the deal with the “Rafiah” was closed, we accompanied her to Bakar. En route we ran up onto a rock and had to be towed. No damage was visible. The British came along to check the identity of the vessel. We vanished on a fishing vessel that we had prepared for such an
emergency. When the whole affair was over the Greek Captain received orders to return to Piraeus. We met the “Rafiah” at sea, boarded it, took possession, and took it to Bakar."

On October 25, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά ran aground at the entrance to the Levkas Λευκάς Canal.
She was refloated, and sailed to Patras Πάτρα.

On October 26, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά sailed from Patras Πάτρα, but was late for her rendez-vous with Lohita.

On November 26, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά sailed from Bakar, carrying 785 passengers, in winter weather conditions and rough seas that made it impossible to depart.
She was supplied with engine oil and food, in the presence of Yugoslav authorities, who had been aware that Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά had been in Yugoslav waters fro several days.
Fritz Leibreich cites the Yugoslav authorites were aware that the ship had been in Yugoslav waters from October 19, 1946, when she entered Split harbor, and authorities provided a pilot to take her to Novi, via Rigavenitsa and Zara.
Edmund Rosianu cites Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά sailed from Trieste.
She charted a two-week voyage south through the Greek Isles in an attempt to evade the British and seek shelter from the stormy seas, through the Strait of Otranto and into the Ionian Sea Ιόνιο Πέλαγος.
John Svoronos Γιάννης Σβορώνος served as Captain aboard Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
Dimitris Galon cites: "The Captain of The Ship was Achasachofolos (a Greek)."
5 Greek crew members served aboard Rafah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
Gad Lasker served as Palyam Commander מפקד aboard Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
Abraham Lichovsky served as Gidoni גדעוני aboard Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
Yossi Hamburger Harel, David Baumgarten, Zvi Taitel, Reuven Hirsch served as Palyam Escorts aboard Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.

John Svoronos Γιάννης Σβορώνος served as Captain aboard Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.

Vassilos Exarchopoulos Εξαρχόπουλος served as Captain.
Fritz Liebreich cites: Captain Vassilos Exarchopoulos Εξαρχόπουλος possessed 2 letters, dated November 26, that "mentioned a bonus of five sovereigns to be paid to the crew when the Athinai was wrecked."
Fritz Liebreich cites: Mossad leAliyah Bet suspected Captain Vassilos Exarchopoulos Εξαρχόπουλος

On November 26, 1946, Benyamin Komer sailed for Palestine on Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.

On November 26, 1948, Rafi Tadmor, age 12 years, sailed on Rafiah רפיח, with an Aliyat haNoar group

On December 6, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά called on Αστυπάλαια Αστροπαλιά Astypalea Stamplia.

On December 7, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά rounded the southern tip of Peloponese Πελοπόννησος, to the north of Crete Κρήτη, and arrived off Syrna Σύρνα Island in the Dodecanese Δωδεκάνησα, were she was scheduled to meet a boat that would take off some of the ship's foreign crew.
Avraham Lichovsky cited Rafiah MV Αθηνά's destination was Kamila Island, just north of the tip of Crete Κρήτη, where she was to meet up with Gavriella.

On December 8, 1946, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά entered the large, but not well-protected, bay of Agiou Soassin, seeking shelter until the storm abated.
Gad Lasker ordered Captain John Svoronos Γιάννης Σβορώνος to anchor in a cove.
While attempting to anchor, Rafiah MV Αθηνά hit rocks in Agiou Soassin Bay, off the south shore of Syrna Σύρνα Island, and took on water. roughly at 36°20'N 26°42'E - WGS84)
Edmund Rosianu cites Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά hit the rocks and began sinking on December 7, 1946, at 4:00PM.
The passengers jumped into the freezing cold water, with 6-7 meter waves, and climbed to shore using ropes; 45 minutes later, Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά sank.
Eight Maapilim died:
*Yosef Greenberg (14)
* Peppy Weisberg (16)
* Tsili Yankowitz (22)
* Nachum David Futterman (28)
* Dora Katz (28)
* Shelly (last name unknown – 14);
* Etti (last name and age unknown)
* an unidentified passenger.
Edmund Rosianu cites twenty people were killed. They were buried on Syrna Σύρνα island.

On December 8, 1946, as Rafiah רפיח Αθηνά sank, Avraham Lichovsky threw the radio equipment to shore, and set up a makeshift antenna and re-established communication with the Gidoni גדעוני, wireless radio operator network.
He transmited a call for help, which was received by Mossad leAliyah Bet, which contacted the Royal Navy.

On December 8, 1946, the Greek corvette, HHMS Themistocles A/T Θεμιστοκλῆς (Ex HMS Branham), was dispatched to Syrna Σύρνα, with relief supplies and 20 policemen.
Edmund Rosianu cites Golda Meir received the SOS and spoke with a high-level English official to search for Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
An RAF reconnaissance aircraft from Cyprus Κύπρος alerted by radio, was tasked to sweep the area and drop emergency supplies.

On December 8, 1946, 22:40PM, HMS Providence received a signal from the Commander-in- Chief Mediterranean, ordering her to raise steam and proceed, without further orders and at best speed, to Syrna Σύρνα Island at 36°20'N 26°40'E.
At 23:30PM, she cleared Haifa.

On December 9-10, 1946, the British minesweeper HMS Providence, working with HMS Chevron, HHMS Themistocles A/T Θεμιστοκλῆς (Ex HMS Branham) and HHMS Aegean Αιγαίο (Ex HMS Lauderdale) rescued the survivors of Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά.
HMS Chevron transported the passengers to Crete Κρήτη.
At dawn, December 11,1946, HMS Providence arrived at Souda Σούδα, and transferred 256 survivor, to a LST (Tank Landing Ship).
Edmund Rosianu cites British soldiers escorted the survivors aboard the British ship, HMS Independence.
The survivors were then transhipped to the detention camps on Cyprus Κύπρος, and finally released in 1948.
Dimitris Galon cites: The crew of the vessel, consisting of Greek sailors, were taken aboard the destroyer, HHMS Themistocles A/T Θεμιστοκλῆς.
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: "On 14 December Providence was involved in rendering assistance to Jewish immigrants after their ship had been wrecked on the Greek island of Syrna."
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: "for eight hours through 1000 miles of electrical storms, wind and rain, three Halifax bombers today dropped five tons of food, clothes and medical supplies to 800 Jewish illegal immigrants stranded on the Greek island of Syrina since their 'hell ship' went down amid rocks and boiling surf on Sunday.
As the tired crews landed their planes here (Aqir, Palestine) after their hazardous mercy flight, a fourth Halifax climbed away over the sea with more relief supplies, and the destroyer Chevron and the minesweeper Providence set out from Haifa to make a 'combined operation' rescue attempt."
Ninian Stewart cites "With Providence pitching and rolling heavily, each survivor had to be secured by a line and hauled onboard, and the women, clinging to their bundles, showed considerable pluck and fortitude.However, when her whaler first brought survivors alongside they panicked, became out of control, rushed to get aboard the 'sweeper' and capsized the boat, leaving two crew, sixmen and seven women in the water."

On January 6, 1947, the Royal Naval Command Mediterranean, sent a telegram to the Admiralty in London: "The cost of rescuing and transporting of the ex-Athina Jewish survivors is 4,430 sterlings and 18 shilings. We hope this will be taken in consideration and the amount will be paid".
The claim was passed to the Foreign and Colonial Offices.
Palyam.org in The 'Rafiah' (s/s Athina) illegal immigrants vessel A comic epilogue to a sad episode, cites: Mr Beith, Foreign Office, drew a marginal note: "I doubt if ever the money will be returned... may be it is better for them to present it to the Jewish Agency."
Shlomo Reichman cites: "The irony of the story: Who if not the British, our enemies, came to our assistance after the late Golda Meir appealed to them to save us. After a number of days food, clothing and first aid was parachuted onto the island and the situation stabilized. Parallel to this, a British warship was dispatched to evacuate us."

On November 20, 1972, 26 years after the shipwreck of Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά, the bodies of the drowned passengers were taken from Syrna Σύρνα brought for burial in the Haifa cemetery.

To utilize their nautical training to uncover details of an event in Zionist history, graduates of the Mevo’ot Yam מבואות ים maritime school, near Michmoret מכמורת, sailed for Syrna Σύρνα, to locate the wreck of Rafiah רפיח.
Shalom Gutman, one of the participants, cites: “We looked for a way to connect 100 years of Zionism with the four years of nautical education. We hope to bring back some historical artifacts. We will erect a monument there for the victims of the sinking.”
Shlomo Reichman worked with the students throughout the year, and accompanied them on the expedition, hoping to "learn what happened there, who caught him and saved him, and how he got to Israel."

In 1998, divers explored the wreck of Rafiah רפיח MV Αθηνά, took photos and filmed the wreck for Amos Carmeli´s film, Regaim shel Hessed o Gehinom.

In 2010, Survivors of Rafiach רפיח attended a reunion at Mevo'ot Yam מבואות ים, on the coast of Emek Hefer עמק חפר‎.