From America to Armenia, aboard the Sobieski in 1949

ita eng
14 March 2013

Postcards, dinners, group photos. The journey of American-Armenian repatriates aboard the Sobieski in 1949. Images courtesy of Crosby Phillian to accompany the article on the American-Armenian experience in War-Torn Naples by Hazel Antaramian Hofman

Note that the photographs were taken by members of the Phillian family and they are in their ownership. After arriving in Armenia, the cameras and movie camera of the family were confiscated by Soviet officials when Crosby’s father, Alexander Phillian, was arrested. The film was later returned. The photographs were ultimately developed.

A postcard from Gibraltar
Sobieski postcard sent by Crosby from Gibraltar to the USA. Image of the Sobieski. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
A postcard from Gibraltar
Sobieski postcard message sent by Crosby from Gibraltar to the USA. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
On the Sobieski, 1949
Young American-Armenian repatriates on the Sobieski in 1949. From left to right, Mary Meghreblian, Eugene Kazarian, Anita Kazarian, and Walter Kazarian.
Dinner on the Sobieski, 1949
Repatriates at the banquet table on the Sobieski in 1949, taken by official ship photographer. Among the passengers at the table are Crosby Phillian, his mother, Araxi, father, Alex, and his brother, Hagop (Jack). Other American-Armenian passengers at the table include Haig Stamboulian and his son, Richard and his wife Arousiag, Avedis Paragian, Hagop Manoogian, and Mr. Maynazarian. There are also four unidentified non-Armenian passengers at the table. The waiter for the table was Polish. Note the United States flag in the background. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
A ship safety exercise on the Sobieski, 1949
Repatriate passengers during a ship safety exercise on the Sobieski in 1949, identified repatriates include Mr. Makhakian, Haig Stamboulian, Hagop Derderian, Araxi Phillian, Arshag Kadekian, and Antranig Malakian. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
On the Ardeal, 1949
Ernie Kizirian on the Romanian cargo ship, the Ardeal, February 1949. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
Batumi
Fanfare greeting at Batumi upon the arrival of the second caravan of American-Armenians. A large bouquet of white roses welcome Crosby’s little brother Hagop (Jack) Phillian to the last stop before the group traveled to Soviet Armenia. Image courtesy of Crosby Phillian, 14 November 2012.
Before the departure
A young Crosby Phillian at his home in Astoria, Long Island, New York, in 1947. Crosby now lives in Paris with his wife Suzy, another repatriate, originally from France.