With the unconditional surrender of the Nazis on May 8, 1945, V-E Day was widely celebrated across the Allied nations of the globe. At 25 South Street, the news was especially significant for European seamen:

“V-E Day was observed quietly and reverently at 25 South Street. Merchant seamen from Holland and Denmark had been close to the radios in their Club Rooms since the first news was flashed of the liberation of their countries from the Nazi yolk. Usually stolid, phlegmatic faces expressed jubilation and tear-stained eyes bespoke their emotion on realizing that the last obstacles were cleared and all could see their families and homelands again.”

The work in Europe for the merchant marine was far from over however, as vital supplies needed to rebuild the war-torn continent would be delivered for years after the formal end of the war. [see The Lookout 1945 June http://qcarchives.com/sci/items/show/1318]