The prospect was challenging. Only a very few ships would
venture into mined waters unsafe for normal navigation; moreover, space was
lacking, almost unavailable. We had to do much praying, because every avenue
seemed blocked. Shipping agents were seeking any possibility but without
immediate success. Only faith could have removed the difficulties….
A few days later another cablegram came, requesting the name
of the steamer. The next day a ship was found and a telegraphic reply was sent
to him [The Guardian], informing him that the first shipment would sail on the
S.S. Norte, due to arrive in Haifa on 23 November 1948 - a record of incredible
speed in accomplishing the work since the April day when Mr. Maxwell had signed
the first contract! Over one hundred and fifty tons of cut, carved and polished
marble and granite were shipped at this time, including the load of a second
ship, the S.S. Campidoglio, which sailed almost in the wake of the first One.
The Norte finally reached the port of Haifa on 28 November, with the
Campidoglio following a few days later, as a true co-partner and escort in such
a prodigious event.
From my own happiness in those days, I could evaluate the
extent of Shoghi Effendi's delight and gratification. Later I was told that the
arrival of the ship was anticipated and watched with great elation, and when
the precious loads had been landed and carted with extreme hardship and many
difficulties to the immediate vicinity of the Báb's Shrine, the joy of the
beloved Guardian knew no bounds.
It does not lie within the purpose of these recollections to
give a detailed schedule of the many contracts signed on the Guardian's behalf
for all the material needed to erect the outer shell of the Báb's Sepulchre,
over the period of five years, nor to list the names and dates of departure of
all the ships needed to convey the material from Europe to the Holy Land. The
reader should, however, pause to ponder on the thousands of details involved in
such an enterprise, which had to be executed with absolute thoroughness and
great speed, notwithstanding the many obstacles arising out of the political
situation of post-war Europe, particularly in Italy, plus the uncertainty of
circumstances prevailing on land and sea owing to the conflict in the Middle
East.
- Ugo Giachery ('Shoghi Effendi - Recollections')
