526 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN ARRIVE FROM MANILA ON MILITARY TRANSPORT USAT MERRITT

News Article from Oakland Tribune dated July 1, 1923

San Francisco, California -- Ruffled about by storms at sea, driven from port to port, threatened by plague and starvation, 526 Russian refugees are in San Francisco harbor on board the transport USAT Merritt today, hoping that they will be allowed to land in America.

BABY BORN; WOMAN DIES

On the USAT Merritt there are 324 Single men, 70 Married men, 70 Married women, 87 single women, 50 children and 56 orphans.  A baby was born at sea, one woman died during the voyage.  Thirty five of the babies were born in Manila.

The 14,000 refugees had 13 ships of the Russian Navy and 7 merchant ships when they started on their flight from Vladivostok.  Some went to Korea, Ginza and others to Shanghai.  The flotilla was under the command of Adm. Uri Stark of the old Russian navy.  He left the party at Manila and before doing so  made a final report which relates some of the guide lines and which follows:  "the ocean was not welcoming.  The autumn season on these waters is hard, even for a big  steamer, but the little Siberian  ships overpowered all obstacles.  More sensible was the unfriendly reception on the part of the foreigners.  In Korea, the flotilla had a short respite, but upon a proposal of the local authorities had to leave these ports.  The florilla with a bitterness of offended nationality, having to rely upon  nobody but itself, moved to the Philippines, expecting there to find refuge."

FLEET UNWELCOME

"It was impossible to go directly there.  The reception was worse in Shanghai than before. The Chinese authorities backed by the indifference of foreigners, treated the flotilla almost  insolently.  Seeing no friends, surrounded by dishonest people, the flotilla, however, obtained at last all requirements to sail further.  Having lost two ships, the Lieut. Byaynoff and Ajax, the sorrow was partly dissipated by the reception in the Philippines.  The American Red Cross  supplied provisions for four months.  Governor General Wood solicited for permission to send us to America   This solicitation was connected with  many troubles for him."

"We have only to thank the American people for the refuge.  The future Russia will not forget this kindness and will return like for like.  I have to thank all those  who were performing their duty honestly until the last moment." 

TRUNK OF TREASURED PHOTOS FOUND

Recently Sandra Pushkin whose grandfather, Dmitry Pushkin, was on the USAT Merritt, shared an exciting find.  While renovating their home, she discovered a steamer trunk used by her grandfather while on route to the United States.  What a treasure!