Survivors help restage Exodus 1947 Jewish refugees who left Baltimore for Palestine were turned back by British

By Marego Athans | Marego Athans,SUN STAFF | June 23, 1997

Fifty years ago, a converted Chesapeake steamer left the Baltimore harbor with a mysterious mix of credentials and cargo: a Honduran registry, an official destination of China, a load of canned food, medical supplies and diapers.It was a secret voyage supported largely by local people. But it was headed for something that would change the face of the Middle East: a showdown in international waters that would help create the state of Israel and produce a best-selling novel and movie.That maritime saga was replayed in the waters off Baltimore yesterday in a 50th anniversary re-enactment of Exodus 1947.