Refuge Denied: The St. Louis Passengers and the Holocaust

by Sarah A. Ogilvie, Scott Miller

In May of 1939 the Cuban government turned away the Hamburg-America Line’s MS St. Louis, which carried more than 900 hopeful Jewish refugees escaping Nazi Germany. The passengers subsequently sought safe haven in the United States, but were rejected once again, and the St. Louis had to embark on an uncertain return voyage to Europe. Finally, the St. Louis passengers found refuge in four western European countries, but only the 288 passengers sent to England evaded the Nazi grip that closed upon continental Europe a year later. Over the years, the fateful voyage of the St. Louis has come to symbolize U.S. indifference to the plight of European Jewry on the eve of World War II. 

Although the episode of the St. Louis is well known, the actual fates of the passengers, once they disembarked, slipped into historical obscurity. Prompted by a former passenger’s curiosity, Sarah Ogilvie and Scott Miller of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum set out in 1996 to discover what happened to each of the 937 passengers. Their investigation, spanning nine years and half the globe, took them to unexpected places and produced surprising results. Refuge Denied chronicles the unraveling of the mystery, from Los Angeles to Havana and from New York to Jerusalem. 

Some of the most memorable stories include the fate of a young toolmaker who survived initial selection at Auschwitz because his glasses had gone flying moments before and a Jewish child whose apprenticeship with a baker in wartime France later translated into the establishment of a successful business in the United States. Unfolding like a compelling detective thriller, Refuge Denied is a must-read for anyone interested in the Holocaust and its impact on the lives of ordinary people.

Genres: World War II, History, Holocaust, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2006

Reviews

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good "research" story with a fascinating variety of personal accounts included. Amazing to have all of the St. Louis passengers accounted for.

[Julie Failla Earhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

On May 13, 1939, the German passenger ship, MS St. Louis sailed from Hamburg for Havana. Aboard were 937 German Jews trying to escape the rise of Hitler’s Third Reich. All had landing permits for Cuba and many had waiting numbers for the United States. Before this voyage, the St. Louis had been a luxury liner. Captain Gustav Schroeder insisted that the passengers was no different than any other passengers.

Fifteen days later, the St. Louis reached Havana. Much to their surprise, the Cuban government denied the passengers entry. Negotiations lasted several days. Cuba continued to refuse, and Schroeder set sail for America. Pleas were submitted to President Roosevelt. Without hearing from him, the ship anchored in the waters off the coast of Miami. They were so close that the passengers could see Miami’s lights. With no word from Roosevelt, Schroeder has no choice but to return to Germany. I can’t imagine the fear the passengers experienced.

When the ship returned, the passengers were dispersed to four countries: England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The years passed. In the United States, the Holocaust Memorial Museum was constructed. Two employees, Sarah Ogilvie and Scott Miller began to wonder what happened to those 937 German Jews. Were they swept up in Hitler’s determination to rid the world of Jewish people? Did any survive the concentration camps? Did any make it to America?

So began the research project that became this book. In 1996, Ogilvie and Miller began the arduous task of tracking down 937 people. It was a daunting task considering WWII had been over for more than 50 years.

Ten years in the making (that’s how long it took to track down all 937), this book is filled with tales of death, survivorship, research, dogged determination and sometimes just plain ol’ luck. What affected me the most was the passenger list and the photographs from the boat. Pictures of people without names makes them less personal. When you sit down to read this book, be sure to have a box of tissues handy.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story to discover what happened to the refugees but the writing is awkward.

[Cathy A. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-researched, well-written book documenting the stories of some of the passengers aboard the ship of crushed dreams.
I was especially moved by a number of the stories, especially Recha and Moritz Weiler's story, and the story of the family named "Fink."
I'm using this book as a reference for the historical fiction account of this journey I'm in the process of writing.
I applaud the commitment and length the authors went to for the sake of providing a finely detailed, complete account of a historical event. This is a valuable contribution to Holocaust studies.
The photographs in the book capture the joy and despair experienced by the passengers.
Well done!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard passing references to the MS St Louis, a ship carrying Jewish refugees at the start of WW2, which was turned away from the US, but had never really learned much about it. A talk at the Jewish Museum sent me looking for this book, which traces what happens to the 900+ people who were turned away. It is not a long book. It is not written like a thriller, but the story of how they found people or found their stories was amazing. This book seems quite timely today as we wrestle with issues of immigration and our responsibility to humanity as a whole.

[Knave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was easy and engaging to read. This was a great book that divulged the history of the St. Louis and the diverse experiences of her passengers. Learning about Sarah’s and Scott’s research was fascinating and written in a compelling way.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in this event, read this book!

[Kip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous research and investigative skills by the authors and their team. So many heartbreaking stories.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially expected this to be a dissection of the decisions and policies of the United States that sent 900 refugees back to the land they fled. Instead, it was their stories, revealing how their persecution was limited to neither the Nazis nor US indifference. Rejected by other countries, and even other Jews, those fortunate to survive were left with torments that some could not even speak of 60 years later. The authors did an incredible job tracking the fates of all of the St. Louis passengers.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not your historical fiction but a real life account of two researchers and employees of the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC as they attempt to find out what happened to all the passengers of the St. Louis. My son purchased this book for me during his school trip to Washington DC. It was fascinating to read about what the two researchers went through to account for each passenger and to read their stories. Never even knew about the St. Louis until I read this book.

[Donia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short non fiction work is heartbreaking. It provides the detail missing from many stories; why was this steamer filled with Jewish refugees fleeing for their lives turned away from "friendly" countries. It also strips away my former belief ...certainly "not in my country...the USA". Having said that it provides the rebuttal as to why...the laws of countries and why they do what they do.

[Kelsey]

A historical and even statistical look at the passengers onboard the St. Louis. The ship was bound for the Americas full of Holocaust refugees but it was sent back to Europe, resulting for some, in recapture and death at the hands of the Nazis.

[Donna Kubiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned way more than. Wanted to know about a sad chapter in American history. This never should have happened...and it gives details about the individuals on the ill fated ship. So sad and personal!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent research by the authors, who tracked down the fates of every passenger on this ship.