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Gerda III: Danish Lighthouse Tender

Built in 1928 as a lighthouse tender, the Gerda III appears to be a common Danish workboat. But in October of 1943, she played a much more important role. The boat was used by Henny Sondig, the 19-year-old daughter of the boat's manager, and a four-man crew to rescue Jews from Nazi-occupied Denmark.

The refugees were brought to a warehouse along Copenhagen's waterfront and smuggled aboard the Gerda III, hiding in the cargo hold. The little vessel then set out on her official lighthouse supply duties, but detoured to the coast of neutral Sweden and put her "cargo" ashore. Although the vessel was regularly boarded and checked by German soldiers, the refugees were never discovered. The Gerda III rescued approximately 300 Jews, in groups of 10 to 15.

Henny Sondig and the brave crew were not part of the organized Danish resistance movement. Ordinary Danish citizens were outraged by the Nazi plan to deport Jews to the death camps. The Danish people mounted a spontaneous effort that saved more than 7,000 of their Jewish neighbors - almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark.

By an act of the Danish Parliament, the Gerda III was donated to The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. The vessel was restored to her wartime appearance, complete with neutral flags, by the J. Ring Andersen yard in Denmark. Mystic Seaport is proud to help care for the boat and exhibit her in the United States.

Gerda tended lighthouses in her day and now it is only appropriate that she is berthed just a short distance from Mystic Seaport's own replica of Nantucket's Brant Point Light. Come see Gerda and then discover the Sentinels of the Sea, a multimedia exhibition unfolding the history and diversity of lighthouses from around the world.

Gerda III is only one of many historic boats and tall ships berthed at Mystic Seaport. From the sandbagger Annie to the oyster sloop Nellie and the four national historic landmarks:

Mystic Seaport offers a variety of things to see and do. Don't forget the many special events happening all year long.