I was trying to decide what to call this blog about my mom's departure from Estonia in September of 1944, and came up with, in hindsight, the appropriate title. "Escaping Communism".
The ENGE was a large schooner built in 1899. It had been recommissioned for the sole purpose of assisting Estonians in leaving Estonia as the Russian forces reentered the country. The first time they had come in, as per the pact between Stalin and Hitler, saw Estonian politicians, land owners, academics and others, identified as "enemies of Russia and therefore shipped off to Siberia or simply killed. Germans had gone back on the agreement and kicked the Russians out shortly after the Russian atrocities.
I want to make something very clear in case some are unaware: Hitler and Stalin were both evil to the core. Unfortunately, the Allies saw Stalin as an ally, and that is why Communism was allowed to exist after WW2. By the time they realized what they had permitted to take place, it was too late. For 50 years, Estonians and all of eastern Europe and Russia, lived under Communist rule. Make no mistake about it, those who escaped ahead of the invasion, lived in a freedom that those who remained never experienced for all those years until 1991.
My mother's story is one repeated numerous times so as I write this, I do not want anyone to think that her story is somehow more significant than any other. It is however an example, to me at least, of God's protection and faithfulness. So here is her remarkable story.
On the evening of September 23, 1944, my mom was living with her aunt's family in the very southern part of Hiiumaa. This was one of two island provinces in Estonia, off the western coast of the mainland. Sinaida (Siina) Sinijärv, was working as a nanny for a neighbour when word came that the Russians had started to push the Germans out of mainland Estonia and that they were quickly advancing onto the two islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Estonians had lived relatively normal lives during the German occupation although some atrocities were still taking place. Every Estonian was aware that the Russians had a different mindset when they invaded in 1940. Their goal was to eliminate the Estonian culture and replace it with Communism. It brought with it certain death to many, including my grandfather and 3 uncles who lived on the other island of Saaremaa. Their only crime was the fact that my grandfather owned 160 acres of land.
On this evening, my mother was approached by the neighbour's husband and asked to take him by horse and buggy to the coast where small and large vessels were preparing to take Estonians to either Sweden, Finland or Germany. Again, remember that Russia was the enemy that had murdered innocent family members and friends. Everywhere else was seen as a place of refuge.
The neighbour made it clear that he would return once the war was over and Estonians were allowed to live in peace. He left behind his wife and children with every intention of being away for only a few months at most. My mother meanwhile, brought nothing along except the clothes she was wearing, which no doubt included a coat on that late September evening. Her plan was to simply drop off the neighbour at the coast and return to her aunt's home.
That is not what happened. As she arrived at the area where people were being taken by smaller boats to the waiting ENGE, my mom heard the voice of her sister Ludmilla. She was already on the schooner, along with their 1 year-old daughter Lii, her husband Harald and their younger brother Meinhard. Everyone, along with Harald's other family members, all encouraged my mother to come with them, something my mom had not even considered. Her concern was typical of how she lived her life: how would the horse get back home safely?
After some convincing and directions on how to release the horse from the buggy, my mom reluctantly boarded the schooner and joined a number of relatives who were already on the ship. Based on several sources, the total number of passengers ranges from 450 to 500. The photo is below.
The Baltic Sea at that time of year is seldom calm. I have actually been on the Baltic around this time in a large ferry and we could hear the cars (attached with chains) in the hull of the ship, banging around as we tried to sleep. Even that was a challenge as our beds were like teeter-totters.
As the ENGE was departing Hiiumaa on the morning of September 24th, it sat very low in the water due to the extra weight. At the same time the wind picked up and as the three main sails were hoisted, it in some ways helped to avoid the schooner from bottoming out while still close to shore.
During these few days of escape, several boats of various sizes, were sunk by both the Russians and the Germans. By the Germans, if they thought the refugees were enemies and by the Russians for the simple reason that they were trying to get away from them. These were all unarmed and innocent civilians that had no way to defend themselves. That is the backdrop of what was to happen next with the ENGE.
ENGE was heading to Sweden, which was seen as a "neutral" country during the war. That mattered little to the Germans and Russians as they saw easy targets. At some point not long after leaving the coast of Hiiumaa, someone in the crew shouted "periscope". This is where I believe God gave the captain, Robert Saul, real wisdom. He quickly turned the schooner toward Germany and away from Sweden, therefore indicating to the captain of the German U-boat, that they were allies of the Germans. There are conflicting reports of what actually happened at this point but even the captain's name is known: young captain Verner Sass of U-boat 767.
It seems as if some of the crew from the U-boat may have boarded the ENGE and that even some supplies were provided but only one person had that recollection. Märt Vähi's parents recounted some of these events as did one of the crew by the name of Evald Kask. My mom and cousin told their stories and even others have come forward with little pieces of information. One account was even heard at the funeral of Hedvig Jääger a few years ago. So far I know of at least 15 family or family friends who were on board. We have only discovered about 110 passengers so far but apparently a list was made in case the ENGE was sunk. We are still looking for that list as it is one of the few refugee boats that has not found their passenger list.
The other important details about this schooner and passengers: much of the ENGE was rotting due to age; despite the large numbers, many brought buggies and suitcases full of belongings; this was the last boat leaving Õngu beach and in fact it was so full because some could not get on the second to last boat, called "Hiiu"; at least one male passenger committed suicide (unconfirmed); my uncle's (aunt's husband) sister Hedvig, brought along her Singer sowing machine; my mom found out 7 years later that the horse made it safely home a few days after being released. That is also when her parents found out she was still alive.
By September 26th the ENGE was nearing Sweden but they needed to navigate through the series of small islands that dot the coast of Sweden. Finally a Swedish vessel helped steer them to the small village of Dalarö, close to Stockholm. A day later there was a huge storm that caused many refugee boats to sink. It is believed, had the ENGE been caught in that storm, she would not have made it safely to Sweden. They did however, arrive safely and because of that, I and many others are today living in various parts of the world, thankful to God for the safe passage of our ancestors.
As family read this short account of ENGE, you are invited to share your stories. Be blessed!
Hillar Alkok
Oakville, ON, Canada
About the author:
Hillar was a pastor for 14 years and lived with his wife and three children in Estonia from 2003-2005. He and his wife also spent a week in Estonia in 1987 doing "church related work" while the country was still under Communist rule. Hillar's mom and dad met and married in Sweden before moving to Canada in 1952.
