The Arantzazu Mendi The ship Arantzazu Mendi, described as of the port of Bilbao, arrived at London on 11 August 1937. On 19 June 1937, Bilbao had been captured by General Franco’s forces, and on 28 June 1937, the ship was requisitioned by a decree of the Spanish Republican Government of that date. On 24 August 1937, the owners issued a writ in rem for the possession of the ship, and she was arrested.