Subject: [History] The Goslar Story

Article:

When Holland was invaded by the Germans on the 10th of May 1940, it meant that Suriname was also at war.

The same night internment of German males began including the crew of the 9000 ton steam ship Goslar. The Goslar was valued at that time f 3 million. The German freighter had fled to Paramaribo on 5 Sept 1939. The authorities did not take any action except the ship's radio was sealed. The crew consisted of 16 Germans and 38 Chinese. The Chinese were shipped home.

In the night of 10 May 1940, the police commissioner 'van Beek' accompanied by a detachment of military and police went to the ship to pick up the Germans. The Germans were given one half hour to gather their belongings but instead the Germans used their time to sink the Goslar in the harbor of Paramaribo.

Until this day, the Goslar has not been salvaged. Some people have given the Goslar hulk the name of the 'van Beek' island.




Met dank aan Albert Buys