132. Lanegev — Merica
type: brigantine
Departed Sète, France 18 Jan 1947, arrived 9 Feb 1947
ex-Merica, ex-Franco, built 1875, 296 gross tons, wood 2-mast auxiliary brigantine
647 passengers
Stopped by destroyer Chieftain and captured after fierce resistance to boarding. One refugee died in hospital. Refugees including 395 men, 181 women, and 60 children were taken to Cyprus on Empire Heywood.
Name means “To the Negev.”
Photograph source: Haganah Archives