EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE

I am in dept to my son, Paul, for all his support  and encouragement. He spent many hours offering advice and inputting the valuable data. Also, I am grateful for his his patience as I made changes and additions along the way. Without his participation, this would not have happened.

I wish to express my gratitude  and acknowledge  the following for their valuable contribution ... Nicholas Daniloff, Grant Din (AIIA Foundation), Yves Franquen,  Katya Johnson, Olga Kachina, Margarita Meniailenko, Mike and Alla Moltchanoff, Paul and Mary Nikonenko, Sandra Pushkin, Maria Sakovich, Anatole Shmelev, Igor and Dennis Stark (St. Petersburg, Russia ), Paul Stark (Australia), Kyra and Peter Tatarinoff (RHS Australia),  Dr. Lada Tremsina, Dr. Michael Tripp (British Columbia), the San Francisco History Center, the San Francisco Public Library, the Honolulu Library Archives.

Sincerely, Eugenia Nikonenko Bailey

  

USAT Merritt Passengers

Russian exiles including women and children

Original caption 7/6/1923 San Francisco CA.

A group of Russian exiles on the deck of the U.S. Army Transport Merritt as they sailed into San Francisco Bay after buffeting storms of the Pacific Ocean, calling at unwelcome ports for several months and not daring to return for fear of death  at the hands of the Bolsheviks.


New York Times, July 2, 1923

526 Czars refugees Land
Last of White Army and Navy arrive in San Francisco

Special to the New York Times
San Francisco, July 1- A little bit of Russia drifted in through the Golden Gate this morning on the Army Transport Merritt, 526 men, women and children refugees, the last of the white army and white navy.  For two years, they have wandered from port to port, enduring hunger, disease and hardships innumerable, nowhere welcome, nowhere aid, until America took note of them and held out a helping hand.

Some of them wore the uniforms of the Czar, of Deniken and of Wrangle.  Some of them wore the clothes The American Red Cross gave them in Manila.  Lt General Heiskanin is in charge of the refugees.  The Rev Serge Denisoff is the chaplain.  These and Prince Kangalov, a powerful  figure in the Czar's regime are the big men among these people,  There are 254 single men, 70 marrie couples, 87 single women and 45 children.  Five of the children have lost both father and mother.     

Image: Bettmann/Corbis, July 6, 1923, San Francisco, CA.

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!

The Beginning and End of The USAT Merritt

Photo Credit: Museum of Russian Culture, San Francisco



The USAT MERRITT was built in China and launched in 1912.   Manila was it's home port.   It's purpose was to transport troops and supplies.  

In 1932,  it was sold to Vincencio  Fernandez, a private businessman, and renamed  SS BISAYAS. 

In the Pacific Theater in World War II, the Japanese military, targeting the United States Navy, on January 2, 1942, sank the ship in the Manila Harbor. 

The Japanese forces raised the ship and renamed it  HISHIGATA MARU, placing it in service with the rest of the its fleet assigned to protect  the Japanese mainland.  On February 1945 it was hit by United States aircraft  and sank in the Philippine  waters off San Fernand Lingayen.

The Last of the Czarist Navy

In Honor of Admiral Yuri Stark

So many owe him for their improved future, the opportunity to find freedom and to begin a new life outside the clutches of communist Russia.  Without a doubt, he exemplified one of the best Russian Naval Officers to represent the humanity of leadership instilled in the Russian Imperial Navy.  Admiral Stark was a largely unsung hero whose valuable contributions are being honored now.

            Russian Cemetery, St. Genevieve des Bois, south of Paris, France

                                          
                             Cemetery Photo Credits Julia Keld

                               Russian Imperial Naval Flag

Admiral Stark in Paris, France

   Before leaving the Philippines, Admiral Stark made arrangements to re-connect with his children in Paris.   To sustain himself and support his children, he worked at a series of menial jobs.  Somehow he was able to make ends meet.  When the Nazis occupied Paris,  he chose not to placate the invading force, and so the availability of jobs diminished.  After the war ended he was elected to become the chairman of an association of Exiled Russian Naval Officers.   In 1948, he celebrated the start of his naval career 50 years ago.  At the end of 1949, his failing health forced him to relinquish his chairmanship of the Exiled  Russian Naval Officers association and relocated to the "Russian House," a residence for elderly, ailing Russian immigrants located outside of Paris.   

On March 2, 1950, at the age of 72, Admiral Stark drew his last breath.  He is buried at the Russian Cemetery, St. Genevieve des Bois, not far from the "Russian House."  At his grave site, with his personal Alexander flag at half mast, and the background  filled with a choral chorus  directed by Count Galizine, Admiral Stark entered  into his last  outpost.  God Bless His Soul.

From Vladivostok To Manila

On October 23, 1922, the Siberian Flotilla, consisting of twenty three less-than sea-worthy vessels, set sail out of the Golden Horn Bay, Vladivostok.
           
What ensued turned out to be a three month perilous, agonizing, extremely difficult journey.  Beset with pestilence, famine, death, inhospitable, and untrustworthy neighboring countries. flotilla passengers witnessed the loss of two of their vessels.

During a brief stay in Shanghai, many physically and suffering from exhaustion  begged to remain in Shanghai.  Continuing to search for help, a successful contact was made with the United States.  General Leonard Wood, Governor of the Philippines, offered the refugees  sanctuary.   
                  

On January 19, 1923, Admiral Stark and what remained of the flotilla gathered at Mariveles, north of Manila. This would be a new beginning for the refugees, but an end for part of the mighty Imperial Russian Navy.  

Remaining flotilla ships were sold. With these funds and the support of the American Red Cross, Admiral Stark made sure that the basic needs of the remaining members would be taken care of  living in an encampment at Olongapo.  

As quotas were lifted in various countries, refugees took advantage of relocating to South America, Australia, New Zealand, etc.  In time, quotas were lifted in the United States, thus, those who wished to go there, now had the opportunity.  With free passage paid for by the U.S. government.

On May 23,1923, Admiral Stark delivered his final address and watched as the USAT Merritt lifted it's anchor and slowly set sail out of the harbor with 526 Russian refugees on board bound for the United States, Treasure Island in the San Francisco bay.       

Stark's Flotilla Sets Sail

Stark in Swedish means "strong."

Yuri Karlovich Stark was born in St. Petersburg, October 20, 1878, of Swedish/Finnish stock.  His ancestors played an integral part in the development of the Russian Imperial Navy.  Peter The Great's progressive movement included establishing a great naval force.  Yuri Karlovich Stark followed his ancestral footsteps.

Upon completion of the Naval Cadet Training School in St Petersburg, he received his first commission on the cruiser "Aurora." His naval career took him to many places including the Far East waters.  He survived the tragic "Siberian Ice" Campaign of 1920-1921.  He was rescued and miraculously rehabilitated by the medical treatment he received in Harbin.  In time, he chose to retire in Harbin.

In 1922, the Bolsheviks  were making great strides to overcome the existing Russian government, causing great unrest.  Civilians were fleeing the country.   Admiral Yuri Stark came out of retirement to be in charge of the "Siberian Flotilla" to offer support to the thousands of fleeing civilians. 

On October 23, 1922,  with several thousand refugees aboard 23 less-than sea-worthy vessels, the Siberian Flotilla set sail out of the Golden Horn Bay, Vladivostok, to an unknown future.  Admiral Stark and many of his passengers will never see Russia again.  

    Credit: Russian Historical Society of Australia

Admiral Yuri Karlovich Stark

                                                           Admiral Yuri Stark

                                        Admiral Stark seated first row center.                             

                                       Photo Credit: Igor and Denis Stark

                                               
                                               
                                                   Photo Credit:  Paul Stark

Freedom Not Allowed in Honolulu

Honolulu Star Bulletin  June 20, 1923

Refugees Flee Red Terror

     Honolulu Star Bulletin   June 20, 1923

Peace Sought in America

Honolulu Star Bulletin    June 20, 1923

Refugees Are Guests of Red Cross

         Honolulu Advertiser   June 22, 1923