Karol Olgierd Borchardt

Karol Olgierd Borchardt (25 March 1905 – 20 May 1986)[1] was a Polish writer and captain of the Polish Merchant Marine.

Karol Olgierd Borchardt

Biography

Born to Polish parents in Moscow, Borchardt spent the vast majority of his life in Gdynia and died there in 1986. Borchardt gained a place in the history of the Polish Merchant Marine as an officer on Polish transatlantic liners and training sail ships. During World War II, he served on two Polish liners converted into troop transports (the m/v "Piłsudski" and the m/v "Chrobry"), and survived the loss of both. After the war, he trained two generations of Polish officers. While demanding, he had a reputation as a warm-hearted and understanding teacher, as well as an excellent lecturer. He also became famous as a writer and chronicler of Polish passenger liners. Borchardt was a very tall and strong man and continued to practice sports into his later years.

Works

Borchardt's books are tributes to his captains, Mamert Stankiewicz and Eustazy Borkowski. He also wrote a book on two 'cradles' of Polish seadogs, the two sail-training vessels, "Lwów" and the "Dar Pomorza". There are many schools named after him, which is an irrefutable proof that Karol Olgierd Borchardt is still remembered as a hero of Gdynia. He was extremely strong-willed, set goals for himself on a regular basis and, what is more, he was open-minded, caring and inquiring as well. His book Znaczy kapitan describes fascinating adventures at sea in a humorous and informative way, mostly connected with Stankiewicz. The book Szaman morski tells the tales about Eustazy Borkowski. The title is a nickname of this extraordinary sea captain, translating as sea shaman.

Achievements and legacy

In his lifetime, Borchardt was awarded:

  • Cross of Valour (1920 and 1941)
  • Cross of Merit (1957)
  • Medal of Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Poland (1970)
  • Gdynia's President Prize (1974)

Borchardt's published works include Znaczy kapitan (1960), Krążownik spod Somosierry (1963) and Szaman Morski (1968).

Kapitan Borchardt, a Polish sail training three-masted gaff schooner, in service since 2011, is named after Karol Olgierd Borchardt.[2] The Karol Olgierd Borchardt Foundation was founded in the same year, and has been a Public Benefit Organisation since 2014.[3]

References
  1. "Cmentarze Komunalne w Gdyni". gdynia.grobonet.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  2. "Znaczy żaglowiec. "Kapitan Borchardt" pod gdańską banderą". trojmiasto.pl (in Polish). 6 October 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  3. "Fundacja". Kapitan Borchardt. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
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