Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive 
of Jewish Detroit History 

The Ship of Sorrows
A

n 85th anniversary occurred 
this past year for an event that 
became an international symbol 
regarding the plight of Jews attempting to 
escape from Nazi Germany. On May 13, 
1939, the ocean liner SS St. Louis from the 
German-owned Hamburg 
America Line (commonly 
known as HAPAG) set sail 
from the port of Hamburg. 
Aboard the ship were just 
over 900 passengers, all but 
a few were German Jews 
seeking to escape Hitler and 
his Nazis, and the antisemi-
tism they promoted.
Prior to WWI, HAPAG was the largest 
shipping company in the world. Ironically, 
it became so under the management of 
a German Jew, Albert Ballin. HAPAG’s 
wealth was largely based upon revenue 
from hundreds of thousands of steer-
age passengers who booked passage to 
America. Many of them were Jews from 
Germany, Eastern Europe and, in particu-
lar, Russia.
The voyage of the St. Louis became leg-
endary, and has inspired works of history 
and fiction, films and an opera. The story 
of the ship’s travels, however, is not one of 
glory. To the contrary, it has been referred 
to as the “Voyage of the Damned,
” as well 
as the “Ship of Sorrows.
”
The St. Louis was commanded by 
Captain Gustav Schroder (1885-1959), an 
exceedingly compassionate officer. The 
ship’s initial destination was Cuba. Upon 
arrival there, a few passengers were landed, 
but 900+ Jews were not allowed to dis-
embark. Captain Schroder then sailed for 
America. Nearing Florida on June 4, the 

U.S. Coast Guard prevented the St. Louis 
from reaching port. 
Captain Schroder then steered for 
Canada. Again, Jewish passengers were 
not allowed to disembark. 
Finally, the St. Louis returned to 
Europe to the port of Antwerp, Belgium. 
After a period of negotiation, the United 
Kingdom, Belgium, France and the 
Netherlands all agreed to take a portion of 
the Jewish passengers. Unfortunately, all 
of these nations, save the U.K. were soon 
overrun by the Nazis in 1940. Many of the 
Jews from St. Louis, sadly, were eventually 
rounded up and sent to concentration 
camps. 
The saga of the St. Louis was tragic. 
Finally, in 2012, the U.S. Department 
of State issued a long overdue apology. 
Fourteen survivors of the “Voyage of the 
Dammed” attended the ceremony.
Captain Schroder also received his 
belated due. In 1957, the Federal Republic 
of Germany awarded him the Order 
of Merit. The Yad Vashem Holocaust 
Memorial in Israel recognized Gustav as 
one of the Righteous in 1993. These are 
well-deserved honors. 

The William Davidson Digital Archive 
of Jewish Detroit History 

holds interesting stories about the voyage 
of the St. Louis. The first stories appeared 
as the plight of the St. Louis was happen-
ing. For example, see the June 30, 1939, 
front page story in the Detroit Jewish 
Chronicle that cites the “Policy Statement 
Issued By J.D.C” (American Jewish Joint 
Distribution Committee). A week later, 
a frontpage story had this headline: 
“Human Cargo, On Board the SS. St. 
Louis” (July 7, 1939, Chronicle).
A very good article in the Feb. 28, 
2013, issue of the JN speaks to the 
lasting relevance of the St. Louis. It 
discusses Dr. Diane F. Afoumado’s 
research on the St. Louis at the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Museum, and 
the museum’s quest, launched in 
1990, to identify all the ship’s Jewish 
passengers.
Indeed. The epic voyage of the 
St. Louis is a story worth remem-
bering. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN 
archives, available for free at 
thejewishnews.com.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

70 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2024 
J
N

accessible at thejewishnews.com