The Door That Kept Floating: 791 Lives Lost at Sea

The Door That Kept Floating: 791 Lives Lost at Sea

Fear of being abandoned at sea-seven hundred and ninety-one refugees trapped on a 74-year-old cattle ship off Istanbul, living on an orange and peanuts, watched the lights of shore and were never allowed to step ashore; what precisely struck the Struma from below and why no government claimed responsibility for two decades remains unanswered. Will a single survivor’s memory and one floating cabin door be enough to tell what really happened that February morning?

In this episode, we follow the journey of the MV Struma from Constanța to Istanbul, the diplomatic stalemate that left families stranded, and the final moments that left one young man clinging to a door-what led to the ship’s fatal strike and the decades of silence that followed?

Person: David Stoliar Date: February 24, 1942 Location: Black Sea (off Istanbul) Event: MV Struma voyage and sinking Passengers: 791 refugees (plus 10 crew)

- The MV Struma was built in 1867 and was 74 years old at the time of the voyage. - The ship’s registered gross tonnage was 240 tons and it carried two lifeboats. - Each passenger was allowed 20 kilograms of luggage by Romanian customs, which confiscated valuables and food at departure. - The berths in the hold were 60 centimeters wide with four berths per row; more than 100 children were aboard. - British officials agreed on February 12, 1942 to issue visas only for passengers aged 11 to 16.

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