Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

haChayal haIvri החייל העברי Registered name: HMCS Hochelaga was built as Waturus, an Austrian nobleman's yacht
Registered name: HMCS Hochelaga
Former name: Arlena
Built: 1900, by Hawthorn & Company, Leith, Scotland
Commissioned: August 13, 1915
Gross tonnage: 628 tons
Displacement: 628 tons
Length: 193 ft (59 meters)
Beam: 28 ft (8.5 meters)
Draught: 15 ft (4.6 meters)
Speed: 12 knots
Armament: 1 12-pounder

In 1914, Walrus was acquired by the Royal Canadian Navy. and renamed HMCS Hochelaga.
On August 13, 1915, she was decommissioned, and sold and became a Pictou-Charlottetown ferry.

On August 25, 1918, HMCS Hochelaga ex-Waturus sighted U-156 on the surface off Halifax, but instead of attacking, in accordance with standing orders, retired towards the rest of her patrol group for 'support'.
The submarine submerged & was not re-located.
HMCS Hochelaga's Commanding Officer was later court-martialled & dismissed from service.
This was the only occasion during WW I that the RCN encountered a German U-boat.

On July 14, 1946, haChayal haIvri החייל העברי sailed from Antwerpen, carrying 550 passengers, with a collective passport for those onboard, issued by the Panamanian consul at Marseille.
Palyam.org cites Arlena haChayal haIvri החייל העברי sailed from Belgium, carrying 510 passengers.
The Palmach Information Center cites Arlena haChayal haIvri החייל העברי sailed from Antwerpen, carrying 512 passengers.
Amutayam.org.il cites Arlena haChayal haIvri החייל העברי sailed from Belgium, carrying 512 passengers.
Liste der Alija-Bet-Flüchtlingsschiffe, from Wikipedia cites Arlena haChayal haIvri החייל העברי sailed from Belgium, carrying 510 passengers.
Zvi Taitel served as Palyam Commander aboard The Jewish Soldier.החייל העברי.

A wireless radio message was sent to haChayal haIvri החייל העברי, while off Cape Trafalgar, instructing the Captain to divert course from Panama to Alexandretta.
A second message was sent, instructing the Captain to change course again, to rendez-vous with 3 caiques.
When captured by the British, the Captain claimed that he and the crew had been overpowered and locked away.

On July 21, 1946, the British thought haChayal haIvri החייל העברי was approaching the shore of Palestine, and sent out reconnaissance planes, but they did not spot her.

On July 31, 1946, HMS Virago detected two vessels on her radar, and passed the details to the Officer on Watch.
One vessel was on the list of suspect ships, and so they boarded, but found everything in order.
The second vessel was overlooked, until the Officer on Watch aboard HMS Saumarez spotted a suspicious vessel approaching the entrance to Haifa harbour.
HaChayal haIvrit החייל העברי was intercepted by British destroyer, HMS Saumarez, and a pilot, police and boarding party from HMS Saumarez were sent aboard in rapid succession.
The British detained the passengers at Atlit Detention Camp.