Internment
What about the Zamzamers who were taken to internment camps? Many of the women and children were part of eventual prisoner exchange programs.
Men prisoners were less fortunate. They spent the duration of the War in camps, near starvation, enduring extreme hardships, yet finding ways to be helpful. After the war's end and being set free from internment, many continued to serve mankind.
Here is the story of tobacconist Ned Laughinghouse who was a prisoner aboard the raider for only eleven days before his tragic death.
Another unique prisoner was Frank Vicovari, also severely wounded in the shelling. He attended the first reunion of survivors in 1991.
When Zamzam survivors gather there seems to be no animosity toward the Germans. In fact, survivors remember the German guards on the Dresden with genuine appreciation, and Captain Rogge of the raider is even admired.
However, it is very true that many of our survivors suffered great hardship, stress, and humiliation while in internment. We do not want to forget, nor minimize, what they went through. Their story is part of the Zamzam story.
In the spirit of applauding their courage, their strength of character, their faith, even their sense of humor, we share stories of the Zamzam passengers and crew who endured months and years in internment camps. Here are the stories and greetings of Brother George Lavalee, Peter Levitt, and Jim Russell.
More descriptions are provided in Bob Shuster’s presentation, "The Zamzam Has Been a Long Time in Sinking!"
A book by Carolyn Gossage was published in 2012 describing how seven Canadian women who were on the Zamzam accidentally became captives in Nazi Germany and were finally released in June 1942.
