Flying the blue-and-white flag of King David across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in history, two Israeli warships–the frigate “Misgav” and the corvette “Haganah”–steamed into New York harbor this morning where they were formally welcomed by Commander James Farrell of the U.S., Navy, by a representative of the Mayor of New York and by Arthur Lourie, Israel Consul General in New York.
Severl hundred people crowded around the entrance to the pier hoping to catch a glimpse of the Israel ships. As the two vessels proceeded slowly through the harbor to their pier many passing ships, recognizing the Israeli emblem, saluted the arrivals with steam whistles. Immediately after the formalities were completed, Shlome Erel, the 30-year-old commander of the flotilla, left to pay courtesy calls on U.S. Navy officials.
The two ships, which arrived here in conjunction with the launching of the $500,000,000 Israeli bond drive, will be open to inspection by the public during their ten-day stay in New York. An Israeli Navy Day, sponsored by the bond committee of the Labor Zionist movement, was proclaimed today for May 6th. On that day the public will be received by the officers and crew of the ships, many of whom arrived in Israel as part of the “illegal immigration.” Members of the crew came to Israel from 24 different countries.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
