SS Sołdek

The SS Sołdek is a coal and ore carrier built at the Gdańsk Shipyard as the first seagoing vessel constructed in Poland after World War II. Designed by a team led by M.Sc. Eng. Henryk Giełdzik, the ship featured a unique architecture with the engine room located at the stern. Construction began in 1947, and the ship was launched on November 6, 1948. Initially named "Oliwa," it was eventually christened in honor of Stanisław Sołdek, a Stakhanovite worker. With a length of 87 meters and a deadweight tonnage of 2,610 tons, the ship was equipped with four cargo holds and a steam propulsion system powered by two coal-fired boilers. During its service, the SS Sołdek completed 1,479 voyages, transporting over 3.5 million tons of cargo and visiting numerous commercial ports across Europe. After being decommissioned in 1980, the ship was converted into a museum, culminating in a major restoration in 2020. In 2014, it appeared in the film "Persona Non Grata," depicting a significant historical moment involving the transport of Jewish refugees. The SS Sołdek is not only a symbol of Poland's maritime history but also an important cultural landmark, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. As a museum ship, it showcases the rich legacy of Poland's shipping industry, where tradition meets modernity.