43 Years Ago the Building of STS Dar Młodzieży Began
43 years ago, on 4 March 1981, the building of Dar Młodzieży, Gdynia Maritime University’s triple-masted frigate and Poland’s maritime ambassador, which has sailed all oceans and seas and taken part in the most prominent regattas, began with the cutting of sheet metal at the Gdańsk Shipyard.
Following in the wake of its predecessors, Lwów and Dar Pomorza, previously involved in the training of seafaring personnel, after more than 40 years, Dar Młodzieży continues to be a stalwart in the education of the University’s students.
Today, on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the beginning of its construction, let’s take a brief look at the history of this unique vessel - the first sailing ship built at a Polish shipyard and according to Polish blueprints and was purpose-built for the training of young seafarers.
The building of Dar Młodzieży came about indirectly as a result of an order for a series of training ships for Soviet maritime schools. The ship was to be the prototype and pilot unit for the required vessels. The orders were, however, never fulfilled due to many protests, including from the Polish youth.
Dar Młodzieży’s main shipbuilder was the engineer Zygmunt Choreń. Also involved in the ship’s development were the captains Tadeusz Olechnowicz and Kazimierz Jurkiewicz of Dar Pomorza, which was considered worn out and in need of replacement.
The ship was launched on 12 November 1981. Its godmother was Helena Jurkiewicz, wife of the captain of Dar Pomorza, Kazimierz Jurkiewicz.
A year later, on 4 July 1982, the Polish flag was ceremonially raised for the first time on board the frigate at the Pomeranian Quay in its home port of Gdynia, its permanent mooring place still today.