Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

On October 20, 1945, the anti-immigration patrols of the Royal Navy were activated, when Senior Naval Officer (Afloat) (SNO(A)) Captain Heathcote DSO RN ordered Hunt-class destroyers HMS Haydon and HMS Stevenstone to sail from Haifa חיפה, and HMS Brissenden to sail from Beirut بيروت‎.

Commander J. Mowlem, DSO RN, served as Commanding Officer aboard HMS Haydon.

Lieutenant E.H.W. Nichols RN served as Engineer Officer aboard HMS Haydon.

J.M. Rowland served aboard HMS Haydon.

HMS Haydon and HMS Charity closed on Moledet מולדת San Phillipe, when it was reported that water was entering the ship, which was listing 18 degrees; she later rolled to starboard, and listed 23 degrees.
Moledet מולדת San Phillipe was flooding through insecure lower-deck scuttles, and the salvage party, led by Lieutenant E.H.W. Nichols, transferred a 70 ton/hour diesel salvage pump, hoses to reduce the wate, closde the scuttles and kept passengers below deck.
The salvage party cleared the boiler and engine rooms of water, and HMS Charity and HMS Octavia came alongside to take on the passengers.
HMS Charity embarked 556 passengers and HMS Octavia embarked 265 passengers; HMS Octavia then transferred the passengers to HMS St. Bride's Bay, and then secured a tow to take Moledet מולדת San Phillipo to Haifa חיפה.

Lieutenant E.H.W. Nichols led he salvage party on Moledet מולדת San Philippo.