PITIFUL PLIGHT OF BALTIC REFUGEES IN TINY SHIP

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1949, Page 4

PITIFUL PLIGHT OF BALTIC REFUGEES IN TINY SHIP

Action In Eire To Avert Ordeal Of Atlantic Trip (Rec. 9.25). LONDON, October 5. Th e Irish Government officials in Cork are considering the banning of a “suicide trip” on the part of four hundred Baltic States refugees, who plan to sail to Nova Scotia (Canada) in a landing craft that was built to carry only fifty-two persons. Officials of the Canadian High Commissioner’s Office in Dublin have warned the captain of the landing craft that he would be liabl e to a fine of £1650 sterling, as it was an offence to take an overloaded ship to Canada.

Conditions aboard of the ship are reported to be frightful, with women and children crammed in fetid confines below, and with others sleeping on deck in open lifeboats. Big-hearted Irish folk are now deluging the ship with food and clothing. The Lord Mayor of Cork has received £250 sterling from the Duke of Westminster towards thes e refugees being found passages in another ship.