Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Latrun לטרון was a coal burning motor vessel, under Panamanian flag
Registered name: San Dimitrio
Paul H. Silverstone's Aliyah Bet Project cites: Latrun לטרון was the former Swedish coastal steamer S/S Sodra Sverige.
S/S Södra Sverige Southern Sweden was built in 1871, for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige.
Sir W. Wakefield cites Gross Registered Tonnage as 733 tons
In 1895, she was rebuilt and extending her previous length of 50.5 meters.
In 1895, she foundered on the rocks of the Stockholm archipelago, and sank in 56 meters of water.
In 1897, S/S Södra Sverige was salvaged and repaired.

In 1909, S/S Södra Sverige was acquired by Rederi AB Svea.

In 1946, S/S Södra Sverige was sold to Cia Rabaldo de Nav, Panama, renamed S/S San Demitro.

On October 19, 1946, after final prepartions were completed in Marseille, Latrun לטרון San Demetrio, sailed from La Ciotat, carrying 1,279 passengers, and a crew of Spanish Republicans.
Amuta Yam.org.il cites: Latrun לטרון San Demetrio, sailed from France, carrying 1,252 passengers,
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: "fhe San Dimitrio of 733 tons was carrying 1279 illegal immigrants from a port in Italy to Palestine."
"This was the first illegal immigrant ship of any size we had come across. She had obviously been tracked across the Mediterranean from Savona."
Palmach Information Center cites Latrun לטרון sailing from Sète, carrying 1,252 passengers.
Sir W. Wakefield cites Latrun לטרון San Demetrio sailing from La Ciotat, carrying 1,279 passengers.

On October 30, 1946, Latrun לטרון San Demetrio was ten miles off Beirut, shadowed by HMS Chivalrous and HMS Providence.
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: was "intercepted by Providence, Ovtavia and Rowena with the destroyer Chivalrous."
She was leaking and listing heavily, about 20 degrees.
Amuta Yam.org.il cites: Latrun לטרון San Demetrio was discovered by the British on October, 29, 1946, and two of the Spanish sailors jumped ship and told the Commander of the British destroyer that the passengers were illegal immigrants who had taken over the ship and locked up the Captain.

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.

In 1949, Latrun לטרון was broken up in Haifa.