MV Struma
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MV Struma was a small ship with a long history that included a number of changes of use and many changes of name. She was built in 1867 as a British marquess's luxury steam yacht and ended up 75 years later as a Greek and Bulgarian diesel ship for carrying livestock. She was launched as Xantha, but subsequently carried the names Sölyst, Sea Maid, Kafireus, Esperos, Makedoniya and finally Struma.[1][2]
Quick Facts History, General characteristics ...
British yacht Xantha in about 1890 In 1941 she was renamed Struma | |
History | |
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Name |
|
Owner |
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Port of registry | |
Builder | Palmers SB & Iron Co |
Yard number | 217 |
Launched | 23 June 1867 |
Completed | 1867 |
Identification |
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Fate | Sunk by torpedo, 24 February 1942 |
General characteristics | |
Type |
|
Tonnage | after 1901: 240 GRT; 158 NRT |
Length |
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Beam | 19.3 ft (5.9 m) |
Draught |
|
Installed power |
|
Propulsion | single screw |
Sail plan | three-masted schooner (as built) |
Crew | 10 (1941–42) |
Close
As Struma she tried to take nearly 800 Jewish refugees from Romania to Palestine in December 1941. Turkey detained her in Istanbul because Britain refused to admit her passengers to Palestine. In February 1942 a Soviet submarine torpedoed and sank Struma in the Black Sea after Turkish authorities had towed her out to sea and cast her adrift.