On 24 April 1951 the fourth transport of Moluccan ex-KNIL soldiers and their families arrived in the Netherlands. Once again the port of Rotterdam was the place of arrival. The Castelbianco had left Tanjung Priok, the port of Jakarta, on 27 March. On board was nine-year-old Eliza Andarias Teterissa.
It sounds like a sweet white Italian wine, but the Castelbianco is a ship. Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard Inc. in Baltimore (USA) built this vessel in 1945 under the name "Vassar Victory". In 1947 the Sicilian firm Sitmar converted it into an emigrant ship. Under the name "Castelbianco" she sailed to South America and Australia, among other places. On the way back from Australia she called at Tanjung Priok in March 1951 to bring Moluccan soldiers and their families to the Netherlands. On 27 March, 1,054 people departed, including 299 families and, as later turned out, 40 stowaways. Most of the Moluccan soldiers came from Cimahi near Bandung. The Castelbianco sailed until 1974. You can read more about the history of the Castelbianco on the MHM website.
Disembarkation
The passenger list of the Castelbianco contains 1,054 names. 563 men, 510 women and 1 unknown. Among them private 1st class J.J. Teterissa with his wife Salomina Teterissa – Nahumury and their sons Eliza and Anis. They came from Cimahi and boarded the Castelbianco at Tanjung Priok.
On 24 April 1951 the Castelbianco moored in Rotterdam. Disembarkation followed that same day. The Moluccans found accommodation in various camps: De Wilgenhof (in Oostburg), Huize St. Joseph in Glanerbrug near Enschede, Graetheide near Geleen, Beugelen near Staphorst, Villheide near Mill and Schattenberg, the former camp Westerbork. The flute orchestra that had played several times during the crossing went to the Tungelroy camp near Weert. The 40 stowaways ended up in the bujang camps in Zeeland, including Westkapelle.
The family of private J.J. Teterissa found accommodation in camp Beugelen near Staphorst. In 1954 the family moved to the Lunetten camp in Vught. In 1967 they went to live in Culemborg.
24 April and the honours list
24 April is not only the date of the Castelbianco's arrival. This year it is also the day on which it becomes known who will receive a Royal Decoration. Will any Moluccans be honoured this year?
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The nine-year-old boy Eliza Andarias Teterissa, who came to the Netherlands on the Castelbianco in 1951, received a royal honour last year for many years of voluntary work. In 1960 he was confirmed in the church. After that Uncle Eli was involved with the Moluccan Evangelical Church (GIM) for 57 years. At the Sunday school and as an elder on the church council. Uncle Eli also drove as a driver for Stichting Samen Verder in Culemborg. He drove older people and people with disabilities around Culemborg in a minibus. Until recently. Uncle Eli Teterissa died on 14 April in Nieuwegein from the effects of the Covid-19 virus.
Search the MHM museum collection yourself with the keyword "castel bianco". You will find passenger lists and a photograph
