Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות Mered haGhetaot was a Schooner.
Registered name: Orietta
Built: 1920
Gross tonnage: 491 tons

On May 15, 1947, Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות sailed from Bari, carrying 1,457 passengers, 904 men, 518 women and 37 children (1,459).
Shaul Oren cites Mordei haGetaot sailing on May 13, 1947.
Palmach Information Center cites Mordei haGetaot sailing from Metaponto, n May 13, 1947, having been prepared to depart for Palestine from La Spezia.
Achille Rastelli cites: "Il 15 maggio 1947 partiva da Bari il motoveliero Orietta (poi Mordei Hagetaoth) con ben 1.457 persone."

On May 15, 1947, Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות was caught in a storm, and for 34 hours until the storm passed, took shelter behind the island of Capalonia,

On May 18, 1947, Yehuda HaLevi was supposed to meet Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות, and transfer her 450 passengers at sea.
The plan was aborted when Yehuda HaLevi ran out of fuel, and failed to arrive.

On May 23, 1947, Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות was spotted by a British reconnaissance aircraft opposite Rafah.
Shaul Oren cites Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות being spotted on May 22, 1947.

On May 24, 1947, Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות was intercepted by HMS Brissenden and HMS Haydon.
The British destroyers rammed against her, on both sides, and soldiers boarded, using water hoses and tear gas.
The passengers resisted for three hours, but overpowered and were forced to surrender, and Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות was towed to Haifa חיפה.

On May 25, 1947, the passengers of Mordei haGetaot מורדי הגטאות were transferred to HMT Runnymede Park, for transport to Detention Camp No.55 at Karaolos Καράολος.