On August 15, 1941 she left Tyne in a convoy with Artur Pakri as Chief Officer (lst Mate); 3 days later in the Atlantic, Pakri was gruffly ordered by English Capt. Bell to change the fluttering British flag for a red Soviet one. Pakri was stunned. The Estonian crew were certain the ship was making a short trip and would return to the U.K., so no one packed heavy winter clothing.
Hearts sank as the Elna II left Reykjavík, Iceland and headed northeast. The ship arrived in Archangel on a bitter cold day October 12, 1941. Armed Russian officers came on board giving the crew shore passes. Pakri was re-assigned as 2nd Officer on the Estonian S.S. Osmussaar under Capt. Joosep Eelmere (minu punane sugulane). The ship’s cook had a restricted menu of salted herring and dill pickles to feed the crew. The only decent meal, though costly, could be obtained from the Intourist Hotel, an hour’s walk from the ship in the freezing cold.
