In 1941 , the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee ( known as " The Joint " ) were desperate to rescue Jewish refugees from Germany , Austria and Czechoslovakia escaping Nazi persecution . Many held US visas that were about to expire . The Joint 's agents directed them to Seville , where the '' Navemar '' had been privately chartered to make the transatlantic crossing . Tickets for the few passenger cabins sold at exorbitant prices . The captain vacated his cabin and charged $ 2,000 to all who could fit themselves into the small space . Bunks were fitted in the filthy cargo holds , which had previously carried coal . Although attempts were made to clean the ship , there was too little time to complete the task
Nazi persecution
The Holocaust
SS Navemar