Kapitän Schröder und die Irrfahrt der St. Louis

At the age of 16, Gustav Schröder decides in the spring of 1902 to abandon his high school career in Hadersleben and become a sailor. Over the next 38 years, he makes an impressive career leap from a deckhand to captain, eventually becoming the master of one of the largest passenger ships. In this role, he faces one of the most challenging maritime and human tasks of that time in May 1939: just before the outbreak of World War II, he is to transport 937 Jewish emigrants to Cuba. When they are not allowed to disembark there, one of the most dangerous odysseys in modern maritime history begins. For his efforts, the captain is honored in Israel after the war as a "Righteous Among the Nations" and receives the Federal Cross of Merit. Almost eighty years after this odyssey, the captain's great-nephew discovers Gustav Schröder's old sea chest in his attic. Valuable manuscripts and photos of the sailor come to light – the legacy of Gustav Schröder. The captain recounts his unique experiences in this book, partly in his own words. Former passengers of the "ST. LOUIS" also share their experiences on board. 110 mostly unpublished photos from Schröder's estate complement this gripping new release.