By Mary Lackie

The joined hands of Protestant and Catholic workers spelled a happy ending to the rough voyage of 15 Cuban refugees who arrived in Savannah Jan. 23, said Father Raphael L. McDonald, O.F.M., Resettlement Director for the National Catholic Welfare Conference.

“It was the ecumenical spirit in action,” the priest said, who spent two days with Major G.C. Watson, commander of the Salvation Army in Savannah collecting clothes, visiting hospitals to arrange for the release of the injured men, and coordinating plans to relocate the refugees in New York and Miami.

“The whole town was alerted to the needs of the refugees,’ said Father McDonald. “Job offers flowed in, the Salvation Army center was stacked with clothes—one bed was piled five feet high—and someone sent down 11 rosaries blessed by the pope.” People were concerned for the plight of the refugees and wanted to help them, the priest said.

The 15 men and boys, ranging in age from 12 to 60 years, left Playa de Guanaybo, Cuba at dusk, Jan. 18. “This seashore area is only a half-block from one of the busiest highways in Cuba,” the priest said. “The men chose this location because they thought it was so bold a plan that nobody would dream of it. Their destination was Miami.”

The make-shift raft about five feet wide and 16 feet long, was built of angle irons fitted to drums filled with compressed air. The small sail was soon in tatters, and ‘the motor conked out the first day”, said Father McDonald. “The men spent most of their time standing up and waves washed contently over them,” he said.

The next morning the men could still see the shores of Cuba. Ships and planes passed by, but the raft was unnoticed. The refugees took turns paddling, but that afternoon waves washed the food and water supplies overboard. The tanks of compressed air that held the raft afloat began leaking, and during the days that followed, the men lost most of their identification papers and clothing, Father McDonald said.

A Philippine cargo ship, the J.A. Santos, on a regular run from Yokahama to Savannah sighted the men on a Sunday morning off the Florida Keys. Capt. Carlos B. Luna directed rescue operations. The crew threw lifelines to the men. “The seas were choppy, and two of the older men were injured trying to keep the sinking raft from smashing against the side of the freighter,” said the priest. One man fell overboard and two companies on the raft jumped into the shark infested waters to rescue him.

All 15 refugees were saved, and “they came aboard screaming water,” said Father McDonald. “The sailors spoon-fed them milk mixed with water and gave them clothes. All the men wanted to do was sleep.”

Capt. Lunas radioed U.S. government officials in Miami for permission to dock there, but was told to proceed to Savannah. “The seas were too rough.” Explained Father McDonald. Hugh McLoone, Cuban Refugee Director in Miami notified Father McDonald Monday morning Jan. 23, that the ship would arrive that day in Savannah and asked him to “go to Savannah and take charge of the refuge.”

Immigration, customs and public health officials had cleared the men when the priest arrived in Savannah that afternoon. The mess hall of the J.A. Santos was offered as a “temporary center” to Father McDonald. He assembled the refugees at the tables and began the long process of filling out the required information forms. “The men kept falling asleep,” Father McDonald said, “ and they were grumbling to themselves.” It was then he realized their need for further medical care. “The men had spent three days stretched out in the mud and bushes hiding before they left Cuba,” he said.

Sister Mary Cornile, R.S.M., of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Savannah, called Dr. Robert Carter, who came to the ship to examine the men, and other doctors joined him. Officials of the Southern Maritime Company who saw the extent of the injuries offered to help. Candler, St. Joseph’s, Memorial and Public Health Service hospitals provided medical care for the refugees who needed hospitalization.

Frank Peeples, president of the Southeastern Maritime Co., local agent for the J.A. Santos, asked Father McDonald for the names of the four men with relatives in the New York area. The maritime company made arrangements for the men to sail to New York aboard the ship as guests of the company. New York representatives of the firm and the NCWC office were notified and a welcoming committee planned to meet the men on their arrival and take them to their relatives. The J.A. Santos delayed its departure from Savannah until two of the boys could be released from the hospitals. Peeples supplied them with new clothes, the priest said, and the ship sailed that evening.

The transient room of the Salvation Army was opened to the 11 men and boys who were being processed to go to the Refugee Center in Miami for further questioning and medical care. Major G.C. Watson had lunch prepared for the refugees and a reception and chicken dinner for them Wednesday evening. He supplied the men with shaving kits and gifts, said the priest. “The Savannah folks took some of the boys touring.”

One problem encountered during the project was obtaining the release of Barbaro Avelindo, 12, the youngest of the refugees, Major Watson and Father McDonald visited the hospital and “the nurses and assistants were reluctant to release him, they wanted to adopt him. He was embarrassed by the attention, and kept trying to act like a brave man.”

Mrs. Rosalind K. Frame, who helped with the clothing drive, came to the Salvation Army Center with some women of Savannah, said the priest, and took the boy shopping. “They dressed him from the hide out.”

The maritime company assisted with arrangements to send the refugees by train to Miami early Thursday morning. “There were constant phone calls, red tape, confusion, and schedules to meet,” said the priest.” I never ceased to marvel at the hand of God moving.”

With Major Watson, Father McDonald escorted the refugees to the train at 1 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 26. Four men still suffering from exposure and injuries were taken to sleeping cars by the conductors, who helped the refugees board the train. An hour later, Major Watson took Father McDonald to the airport for his return to Atlanta. The refugees who had planned their escape for two years began their new life in this country.