Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

HMS Providence (J325) was an Algerine-class First Duty Minesweeper.
Ordered: September 11, 1942
Laid down:July 17, 1943, at the Toronto yards of Redfern Construction Ltd., as HMCS Forrest Hill
Warship WW2 cites she was named RCN Forrest Hill
In June, 1943, she was renamed HMS Providence
Launched: October 27, 1943, conversion to minesweeper was completed on May 15, 1944
Length: 77.72 meters
Beam: 10.82 meters
Displacement: 1,040-1,335 tons
Engine: 2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 × VTE engines @ 2000 s horse power, 2 shafts
Speed: 16 knots
She served in the 2nd Minesweeper Flotilla.

On October 30, 1946, Latrun San Demetrio was shadowed by HMS Chivalrous and HMS Providence, ten miles off Beirut بيروت‎.
She was leaking and listing heavily, about 20 degrees, but the passengers put up resistance before being captured.

Lieutenant William E.Messinger RN, served as Commander aboard HMS Providence.

On November 1, 1946, Latrun לטרון San Demetrio was intercepted by HMS Providence, off Palestine, boarded with no resistance, and escorted to Haifa חיפה.
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: "Providence closed and rammed her, the grappling irons were thrown and the boarding party armed with pick-axe handles and led by a Sub-Lieutenant with a revolver leapt aboard."
The passengers put up resistance before being captured, a fight ensued. and several of passengers and British Marines were hurt.
Stoker Don Allum cites: "I was one of the engine-room men who went down below, and I remember the San Dimitrio listing to one side, and then she went straight over to the other side, which was very scary for us down below."
Latrun לטרון San Demetrio had been damaged, and listed to one side.
Latrun לטרון San Demetrio, damaged and listing to one side, was towed to Haifa חיפה.
Passengers and crew were transferred to a deportation ship, and transported to Famasgusta Αμμόχωστος Gazimağusa. aboard HMT Empire Heywood and HMT Ocean Vigour.

Alan Green served as Able Seaman aboard HMS Providence.

First Lieutenant A.F. Wilcocks RN, from HMS Providence, served as Officer in Charge of Landing Party, on Syrna Σύρνα Island.
Ninian Stewart cites First Lieutenant A.F. Wilcocks "found the survivors' morale good during his period ashore and heardconstant expressions of appreciation and not one word of complaint."
Able Seaman J.J. Jordan served as Whaler's crew and was awarded commendation for supporting survivors in the water when the boat capsized.
Able Seaman S. Ellett served as Whaler's crew and was awarded commendation for supporting survivors in the water when the boat capsized.
Stoker R. Mills was awarded commendation for assisting in recovery of survivors inboard.
Able Seaman C.J. Yearley was awarded commendation for assisting in recovery of survivors inboard.
Able Seaman R. Webster was awarded commendation for plunging into the sea to support a woman.
Able Seaman T. Bennett was awarded commendation for outstanding service ashore.
Signalman K.C. Brown was awarded commendation for outstanding service ashore.
Able Seaman J. McCutcheon was awarded commendation for outstanding service ashore.
Temporary Sub Lieutenant G. Culshaw RNVR was awarded commendation for outstanding service in charge of Motor Boat.

On April 2, 1947, Palmach saboteurs detonated a bomb on HMT Ocean Vigour, in Famagusta Αμμόχωστος Gazimağusa Harbor, blowing a hole in her hull.
On April 5, 1947, there was an explosion aboard HMT Empire Royal.
The Haganah admitted the bombing.

On May 17, 1958, HMS Providence arrived at the yards of Young, of Sunderland, for scrapping.