Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל was a Cable laying ship, and Navy Cutter
Registered name: Guardian Ex-Ceibar
Nickname: השומרת The Guardian
Built: 1907, by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle.
She had been used as a banana boat, and sailed under Honduran flag.
Tonnage: 1,768 tons
Engine: triple expansion engine, 6 cylinders, 2 single ended Boilers, 1,960 BHP
Speed: 10 knots

In 1947, Guardian Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל was acquired by Joe Baharila, and transferred to Mossad leAliyah Bet.

Guardian Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל was was refitted at Marseille shipyard, to accommodate 2600 passengers.
She was renamed haShomeret השומרת.

Guardian Theodor Herzl was prepared in France, by Gideon 'Geda' Shochat and Nachum Carmeli.

On April 2, 1947, Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל sailed from Sète, carrying 2,641 passengers, from two camps in France and Belgium, despite British efforts to prevent her departure.
She sailed towards Palestine at the speed of 5.5 – 9 knots.
Amuta Yam.org cites Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל sailed from France, carrying 2,620 passengers.

On April 2, 1947, François-Jean Armorin came aboard Guardian Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל with a colleague in the French press, and sailed from Sète, with the Maapilim.

On April 2, 1947, Arie Donner, and his son, Henri, sailed for Palestine aboard Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל .

On April 13, 1947, Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל tried to run a British blockade, and and was intercepted by HMS St. Brides Bay and HMS Haydon.
Fritz Liebreich cites HMS Cheviot, HMS Octavia and HMS Charity.
Able Seaman Alan Green cites: HMS Providence "In April was involved in the interception and boarding of the Theodor Herzl when fierce resistance was put up by the illegal immigrants before the ship was taken under control."
Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל was stopped at 07:00AM, 16 miles from the shore of Tel Aviv.
On April 13, 1947, 15:00PM, HMS St. Brides Bay was preparing to board, and escort her to Haifa חיפה.
The Maapilim put a banner were put on her hull that read: "YOU JOINED THE NAVY TO CHASE ORPHANS"
and: "HITLER DESTROYED OUR FAMILIES, DO NOT DESTROY OUR HOPE "
On April 14, 1947, 01.20AM, the doctor on board Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל requested the wounded be transferred, as they were likely to die from gunshot wounds.
On April 14, 1947, 02.45AM, HMS Charity took on 20 wounded, and returned to Haifa חיפה.
Two passengers were slain, and a third died later.
The passengers were transhipped to Cyprus Κύπρος Detention Camps.

On April 13, 1947, The passengers of Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל were transhipped to Cyprus Κύπρος Detention Camps.

At the end of the British Mandate, Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל joined the Israel Merchant Marine, and carried immigrants to Israel.

In October, 1950, Theodor Herzl תיאודור הרצל was sold to private Israeli companies, “Rig” Co. Ltd. Ramat Gan, and Kuperman Ltd. Holon.
She operated until 1952, when she was sold to breakers.