Indonesian Sailors Deportation Photograph Collection, 1946-1947

View only results with digital items
Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains nine photographs, one flyer, and one magazine related to the detetion of a group of Indonesian seamen in 1947. The images depict about 200-300 men at an immigration detetion center in downtown San Francisco, at the Southern Pacific depot in San Francisco, and on a ship called the "Marine Lync" in San Francisco Bay. The photographs in this collection have been digitized and are available online.
Extent:
1 box and 0.21 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of nine black and white photographs with captions, one magazine, and one flyer. The collection documents the detention of a group of Indonesian seamen in 1946 or 1947 as they await the outcome of deportation proceedings in the federal courts. The images show these roughly 200-300 men at an immigration detention center in downtown San Francisco, at the Southern Pacific depot in San Francisco, and on a ship called the "Marine Lynx" docked in the San Francisco Bay. The men on the Marine Lynx were waiting to be deported to Batavia, Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia). These men were later photographed at the Southern Pacific depot waiting for a train to Crystal City, Texas. Information accompanying the images states that they are from 1947, but historical accounts of the events depicted in the images suggest the photographs were taken in 1946.

Biographical / historical:

The Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch colonial rule began on August 17, 1945 when the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was broadcast by radio throughout the country. In the following months, Indonesian seamen who were docked in US ports began leaving Dutch and English ships, which they asserted were carrying weapons that would be used against their countrymen. The striking seamen were supported by the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and a variety of other civil rights and labor activists. When the shipping companies terminated the employment of the Indonesian seamen they were left without valid visas. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service detained these unemployed sailors and in June of 1946 the Justice Department began deportation proceedings against them. CIO Lawyers Harold Sawyer and Leo Gallagher argued that the Indonesian seamen were entitled to political asylum and filed a petition of habeas corpus to halt their deportation. As a result of this legal action the Indonesian seamen were removed from a ship waiting to return them to the Dutch East Indies (as Indonesia was called at the time), and put on a train to the Justice Department camp in Crystal City, Texas. A federal judge later ruled that the Indonesian seamen were prohibited by the alien exclusion act from remaining in the country. All of their subsequent appeals were denied and on January 13, 1947 roughly 300 Indonesian seamen were deported from the United States.

Acquisition information:
Archives acquisition.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Evan Tucker, 2016.

The Gerth Archives and Special Collections created digital reproductions from the original material for long-term preservation and access. These preservation files (449 mb tif files) were scanned to and stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections Deparment Drive. For more information on the best practices and standards for the digitization process, please see: CSU Japanese American Digitization Project Technical Reference Guide.

Arrangement:

Arranged in three folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from items in the collection must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website