Sailing to Freedom Voldemar Veedam & Carl B. Wall

“Sailing to Freedom” is the astonishing true story of sixteen Estonian refugees who embarked on a perilous, 8,247-nautical-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a small, 37-foot sloop named the Erma. Facing the grim prospect of forced deportation to Siberia by the Soviet authorities after World War II, these seven men, five women, and four children chose an audacious escape route. The book chronicles their 117-day odyssey, which began in August 1945 from a small Swedish port. Their journey involved navigating the treacherous waters of the North Sea, passing through the Göta Canal in Sweden and the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, and enduring the vast expanse of the Atlantic. The narrative vividly portrays the immense challenges they faced, including cramped living conditions, dwindling provisions, and constant repairs to their tiny vessel. It highlights their incredible seamanship, unwavering determination, and the sheer desperation that drove them to seek liberty at any cost. Their arrival in Norfolk, Virginia, in December 1945 garnered international attention and even drew comment from US President Harry S. Truman, becoming a powerful symbol of the human spirit’s desire for freedom in the face of tyranny. Originally published in 1952, this remarkable account became an international bestseller, translated into numerous languages, and remains a testament to courage and resilience.