MS Alfhem
Encyclopedia
The Alfhem was a Swedish flag vessel that became famous when she was used to transport a large quantity of Czechoslovak arms and ammunition to the Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán government of Guatemala
in May 1954.
The weapon
s had been loaded onto the Alfhem in the Baltic port of Szczecin
(formerly Stettin), Poland. The ship then followed a zig-zag course sailing first towards Dakar
in French West Africa
(currently Senegal
), then heading for Curaçao, later being re-directed to Puerto Cortes, Honduras
, until finally a radio message to the captain revealed her true destination to be Puerto Barrios
in Guatemala. She eventually docked in Guatemala at Puerto Barrios, 297 kilometers northwest of Guatemala City
, on 15 May 1954.
, Sweden and was owned and operated by Ångbåts Ab Bohusländska kusten. In an attempt to conceal her use for the arms shipment to Guatemala, the Czechoslovak government had paid for a "straw charter" of the vessel via the British firm, E.E. Dean, of London. Indeed, according to a US State Department document, Dean served “as a dummy in the transaction, holding a ‘straw charter’ in order to justify transfer of Czech sterling funds to Sweden.” According to both the British and the USA embassy in London, Dean did not hold control over the charter, but rather an “agent for Czekofracht, the state transport monopoly”. Another deception was the falsification of the ship's Bill of Lading
which declared that the cargo was composed entirely of items such as shovels, nails, machine tools, laboratory glass, etc., omitting any mention of the estimated 2,000 tons of weaponry and munitions that were its principal components.
Two thousand tons of arms and ammunition, more than all Central America had received in the previous 30 years, poured out of the holds of the Alfhem. According to the 1954 Time
magazine account, the weapons allegedly worth 10 million dollars, were thought to be from Czechoslovakia's famed Skoda
munitions works, and were believed to be primarily rifles, automatic arms, mortars
and light artillery. Described on the ships manifest as ‘steel
rods, optical glass and laboratory supplies,’ the weapons, were concealed in 15,000 cases. Under the supervision of the country’s Defense Minister, the weapons were unloaded from the Alfhem, and then put on to rail
cars along the US controlled International Railways of Central America (IRCA) for shipment to the capital 197 miles away. Aided by armed guards, the weapons made their way to their destination, but anti-government forces tried to derail the weapon laden train with dynamite, which lead to a gunfight and the death of an anti-government and a government combatant. In response to the Afhem affair the US “began airlifting arms to Nicaragua
and Honduras
, to restore the balance of power.”
The plan was to destroy a railway trestle just as the train carrying the weapons roared across. However, the dynamite did not explode as expected given that a rain downpour had drenched the fuses.
Following the docking of the Alfhem the CIA's chief of clandestine operation
s, Frank Wisner
, was annoyed that the U.S. Navy was unsuccessful in intercepting the freighter—that is, “until he realized that the shipment of…weaponry was just the excuse the United States needed to intervene.”
The Alfhem affair sent “shock waves through Washington.” The US Joint Chiefs of Staff
held an emergency session to discuss whether or not to deploy US troops to Honduras to assist if the country were attacked by Guatemala. The 21 May 1954 minutes from the Pentagon
meeting illustrate how the then US Army chief of staff, Gen. Matthew Ridgeway opposed this plan and recommended instead that Nicaraguan Gen. Anastasio Somoza García
's national guard be sent to Guatemala. One state Department official objected, noting that Somoza had told US diplomats that his own armed forces were simply an internal police force and therefore "incompetent." to carry out an armed intervention in another country.
Upon the arrival of the Alfhem, the US led Caribbean Sea Frontier established air-sea patrols in the Gulf of Honduras, ostensibly “to protect Honduras from invasion and to control arms shipments to Guatemala.” By 3 June, the US had airlifted weapons to Honduras. By 18 June, the US called for a complete arms embargo against Guatemala.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
in May 1954.
The weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s had been loaded onto the Alfhem in the Baltic port of Szczecin
Szczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
(formerly Stettin), Poland. The ship then followed a zig-zag course sailing first towards Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
in French West Africa
French West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
(currently Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
), then heading for Curaçao, later being re-directed to Puerto Cortes, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, until finally a radio message to the captain revealed her true destination to be Puerto Barrios
Puerto Barrios
Puerto Barrios is a city in Guatemala, located within the Gulf of Honduras at. The bay in which the harbour is located is called Bahia de Amatique. Puerto Barrios is the departmental seat of Izabal department and the administrative seat of Puerto Barrios municipality.Puerto Barrios was named after...
in Guatemala. She eventually docked in Guatemala at Puerto Barrios, 297 kilometers northwest of Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, on 15 May 1954.
History
M/S Alfhem, with a , had her home port in UddevallaUddevalla
Uddevalla is a city and the seat of Uddevalla Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 30,513 inhabitants in 2005.It is located at the bay Byfjorden, of the south-eastern part of the sea known as Skagerrak...
, Sweden and was owned and operated by Ångbåts Ab Bohusländska kusten. In an attempt to conceal her use for the arms shipment to Guatemala, the Czechoslovak government had paid for a "straw charter" of the vessel via the British firm, E.E. Dean, of London. Indeed, according to a US State Department document, Dean served “as a dummy in the transaction, holding a ‘straw charter’ in order to justify transfer of Czech sterling funds to Sweden.” According to both the British and the USA embassy in London, Dean did not hold control over the charter, but rather an “agent for Czekofracht, the state transport monopoly”. Another deception was the falsification of the ship's Bill of Lading
Bill of lading
A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified...
which declared that the cargo was composed entirely of items such as shovels, nails, machine tools, laboratory glass, etc., omitting any mention of the estimated 2,000 tons of weaponry and munitions that were its principal components.
Two thousand tons of arms and ammunition, more than all Central America had received in the previous 30 years, poured out of the holds of the Alfhem. According to the 1954 Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine account, the weapons allegedly worth 10 million dollars, were thought to be from Czechoslovakia's famed Skoda
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
munitions works, and were believed to be primarily rifles, automatic arms, mortars
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
and light artillery. Described on the ships manifest as ‘steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
rods, optical glass and laboratory supplies,’ the weapons, were concealed in 15,000 cases. Under the supervision of the country’s Defense Minister, the weapons were unloaded from the Alfhem, and then put on to rail
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
cars along the US controlled International Railways of Central America (IRCA) for shipment to the capital 197 miles away. Aided by armed guards, the weapons made their way to their destination, but anti-government forces tried to derail the weapon laden train with dynamite, which lead to a gunfight and the death of an anti-government and a government combatant. In response to the Afhem affair the US “began airlifting arms to Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
and Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, to restore the balance of power.”
The plan was to destroy a railway trestle just as the train carrying the weapons roared across. However, the dynamite did not explode as expected given that a rain downpour had drenched the fuses.
Following the docking of the Alfhem the CIA's chief of clandestine operation
Clandestine operation
A clandestine operation is an intelligence or military operation carried out in such a way that the operation goes unnoticed.The United States Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms defines "clandestine operation" as "An operation sponsored or conducted by governmental...
s, Frank Wisner
Frank Wisner
Frank Gardiner Wisner was head of Office of Strategic Services operations in southeastern Europe at the end of World War II, and the head of the Directorate of Plans of the Central Intelligence Agency during the 1950s....
, was annoyed that the U.S. Navy was unsuccessful in intercepting the freighter—that is, “until he realized that the shipment of…weaponry was just the excuse the United States needed to intervene.”
The Alfhem affair sent “shock waves through Washington.” The US Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
held an emergency session to discuss whether or not to deploy US troops to Honduras to assist if the country were attacked by Guatemala. The 21 May 1954 minutes from the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
meeting illustrate how the then US Army chief of staff, Gen. Matthew Ridgeway opposed this plan and recommended instead that Nicaraguan Gen. Anastasio Somoza García
Anastasio Somoza García
Anastasio Somoza García was officially the President of Nicaragua from 1 January 1937 to 1 May 1947 and from 21 May 1950 to 29 September 1956, but ruled effectively as dictator from 1936 until his assassination.-Biography:Somoza was born in San Marcos, Carazo Department in Nicaragua, the son of...
's national guard be sent to Guatemala. One state Department official objected, noting that Somoza had told US diplomats that his own armed forces were simply an internal police force and therefore "incompetent." to carry out an armed intervention in another country.
Upon the arrival of the Alfhem, the US led Caribbean Sea Frontier established air-sea patrols in the Gulf of Honduras, ostensibly “to protect Honduras from invasion and to control arms shipments to Guatemala.” By 3 June, the US had airlifted weapons to Honduras. By 18 June, the US called for a complete arms embargo against Guatemala.
Specifications
- Gross register tonnage:
- Net register tonnageTonnageTonnage is a measure of the size or cargo carrying capacity of a ship. The term derives from the taxation paid on tuns or casks of wine, and was later used in reference to the weight of a ship's cargo; however, in modern maritime usage, "tonnage" specifically refers to a calculation of the volume...
: 2781 tons - Deadweight tonnage:
- LengthLengthIn geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire...
: 116.49 m - BeamBeam (nautical)The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point. Generally speaking, the wider the beam of a ship , the more initial stability it has, at expense of reserve stability in the event of a capsize, where more energy is required to right the vessel from its inverted position...
: 16.51 m - DraftDraft (hull)The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
: 8.54 m - Construction: Steel
- Propulsion: Two 6-cylinder B&W dieselBurmeister & WainBurmeister & Wain was a large established Danish shipyard and leading diesel engine producer headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded by two Danes and an Englishman, its earliest roots stretch back to 1846. Over its 150-year history, it grew successfully into a strong company through the end...
motors, twin screws - Builder: Odense Staalskibsværft A/SOdense Steel ShipyardOdense Steel Shipyard located in Odense, Denmark was constructed in 1918–1919 by the A.P. Møller company and will be closed sometime in 2012. A new yard with bigger and better facilities was constructed 1957–1959 on a new site located in Munkebo a few kilometres outside of Odense proper...
, OdenseOdenseThe city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
, Denmark - Launch date: 25 February 1930
- Names: Guldborg (1930), Høegh Trader (1933), Gausdal (1935), Alfhem (1953), Antonios V (1960)
See also
- Operation WASHTUBOperation WASHTUBOperation WASHTUB was a CIA-organized covert operation to plant a phony Soviet arms cache in Nicaragua to demonstrate Guatemalan ties to Moscow. It was part of the effort to overthrow the President of Guatemala, Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán in 1954....
- Che GuevaraChe GuevaraErnesto "Che" Guevara , commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist...
- Jacobo Arbenz GuzmánJacobo Arbenz GuzmánColonel Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán was a Guatemalan military officer and politician who served as Defense Minister of Guatemala from 1944–1951, and as President of Guatemala from 1951 to 1954....
- Cold WarCold WarThe Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...