The 3,500-ton Danish freighter Brigitte Toft passed through the Strait of Tiran today and dropped anchor in the Gulf of Akaba off this Israeli port as the town’s inhabitants celebrated the successful outcome of what has been regarded as a test of freedom of passage of the gulf.
(The Moscow radio defended a blockade of Israeli shipping in the Gulf of Akaba. Broadcasts today asserted that “this gulf lies entirely within the territorial waters of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.” The Soviet radio accused the Western Powers of “trying to deprive Egypt and Saudi Arabia of their lawful rights in this gulf.”
Captain Hans Hardy Lolk reported that as he was clearing the strait he was signalled by an unidentified vessel which flew no flag but had an Arabic name on its bow, and ordered to identify his vessel. The Danish ship refused to comply, however, and continued on its way.
The freighter passed through the strait at 8 A.M. (Israel time) after riding at anchor all night in the southern approaches in order to make the passage of the shallow waters by daylight. It arrived off Elath this afternoon with Danish and Israeli flags flying. It will remain riding at anchor until the freighter Catherina Madre completes loading cargo at Elath’s single jetty.
An Israel landing craft, bearing the Swedish Minister to Israel who is representing Danish interests, and newsmen and photographers, put out to meet the Brigitte Toft as all the inhabitants of the town flocked to the waterfront and cheered when the be-flagged freighter slowly sailed into sight.
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