Salvador (immigration ship) facts for kids
The Salvador was a ship that had a very sad journey. It sank in the Sea of Marmara on December 12, 1940. The ship was carrying Jewish people who were leaving Bulgaria to find a new home. This event happened during a difficult time in history, just before World War II was fully underway.
Contents
What Happened to the Salvador?
The ship Salvador was on its way to a new land when it sank near the beach of Silivri, Turkey. There were 238 Jewish passengers, 3 crew members, and 2 volunteers on board. It was a small ship, and it was very crowded.
The Tragic Sinking
Sadly, 204 people on the Salvador lost their lives. This included 66 children, which was a very sad loss. The ship sank quickly, and many people did not have a chance to escape.
Who Survived?
Only 123 people survived the sinking of the Salvador. After being rescued, 63 of these survivors were sent back to Bulgaria. The others stayed in Istanbul, Turkey. Some of them later tried to travel again on another ship called the Darien II. However, that ship was stopped by the British, and the passengers were held in a camp called Atlit for about a year and a half.
Remembering the Victims
Many years later, in 1964, the bodies of 223 victims from the Salvador were buried in a special place. This place is the National Civil Cemetery of the State of Israel, located at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. It is a very important cemetery in Israel.
The Memorial Site
Out of the 223 bodies, 21 could not be identified. A special memorial was built next to the graves at Mount Herzl. This memorial helps everyone remember the people who lost their lives on the Salvador. It is a place for families and visitors to pay their respects and remember this sad event in history.
