Gdynia Maritime University GMU

The first director of the Maritime School in Gdynia was posthumously promoted to vice-admiral. Following a decision made by the President of Poland Andrzej Duda as far back as 2019, Adam Mohuczy, the first director of the Maritime School in Gdynia, was posthumously promoted to vice-admiral yesterday 7th March at a ceremony on the day of his birth 131 years ago in 1891. The act of appointment was accepted by Adam Mohuczy’s grandson, Andrzej Chojecki, who emphasised the tragic fate of his grandfather - a polish patriot and hero who lived through types of totalitarianism - Stalinism, fascism and communism. The act was presented by Rear Admiral Jarosław Ziemiański, Head of the Polish Navy.

The second half of the event consisted of a seminary dedicated to Adam Mohuczy, during which a speech was given by GMU Rector Professor Adam Weintrit.

A biography of Adam Mohuczy, who organised and took part in the education of  Polish Navy officers, was presented by Cmdr of the Polish Navy Reserves, Dr Andrzej Drzewiecki, a professor at the Polish Naval Academy and was followed by a presentation on the relevant exhibits contained in the Polish Naval Museum was given by the Museum’s deputy director, Aleksander Gosk. Also in attendance at the ceremony were the rectors emeritus of Gdynia Maritime University.

Adam Mohuczy was born on 7th March 1891 in Vitebsk. After finishing the fifth grade of high school, he studied at the Marine Corps in St. Petersburg. After graduating in 1911, he began service in the Russian navy as a midshipman, serving on such vessels as the training ship the “Giercog Edinburgskij”, the cruiser the “Rossija” and the “Cesariewicz” - a battleship.

In 1915, he was promoted to lieutenant and completed a course in underwater sailing the following year. He then served on the submarines the “Akuła” and the “Bars”. He also became involved in teaching, giving lectures as part of an underwater sailing course for officers from 1917, and taking up the post of training manager at the Nikołajewski Maritime Academy.

In 1919, he was accepted into the Polish Navy and given the rank of captain, where he served in the Organisation Section of the Department of Maritime Affairs as a clerk.

In 1920, he became a temporary commander within a Navy squadron in Torun. He commanded the 2nd Marine Battalion, fought on the front line during the Polish-Bolshevik war and was decorated with the Order Virtuti Militari.

He was promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant commander in 1921.

Adam Mohuczy was also the commander in charge of temporary instructor training courses, which took place onboard the “ORP General Haller”, as well as the first commander of the Navy Officers’ School in Torun.

In 1926, he completed a programme of study at the École de Guerre Navale in Paris. That same year, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander. He also became the commander of the Navy Port in Gdynia, and in 1927, the commander of the Marine Specialists School in Świecie and the commander of the ORP Bałtyk to where the school was later relocated.

In 1930, he received the qualification of master mariner. His time as director of the Gdynia State Maritime School during the years 1929-1936 came during a significant period for the School, with the construction of the main buildings coming to completion, the rebuilding of the science and teaching infrastructure, and the modification of the education programme. A new training ship, the “Dar Pomorza”, entered into service in 1930 and successfully circumnavigated the globe in 1934-35 during LtCdr Mohuczy’s term of office. He was also responsible for developing the School’s Publishing Institute.

Director Mohuczy put emphasis on organising courses for fishermen and machinists and was also initiated the appointment of a College of International Academic Teachers.

Following his time at Gdynia State, Adam Mohuczy worked for the Association of Polish Ship Operators (as head of the crew engagement office), and Polish Shipping - part of Polish-British Shipping Partnership (as head of the Department of Procurement and Sales).

Adam Mohuczy was the author of valued works on maritime tactics and navigation and strategic planning.  He also wrote for the journal Young Professional [Młody Zawodowiec], under the pen name “Pirate”.

He was also actively involved in organisations such as the Maritime and Colonial League, the Association of Military Intelligence, and the Air and Anti-gas Defence League.

In 1939, he was involved in the defence of the Hel peninsular.  After the failed attempt to break the blockade at Hel on a local finishing boat, he was taken captive and was held at Oflag XVIII A prisoner of war camp in Lienz, and camp II C in Woldenberg until 1945.

Following his return to the country, he worked as the head of the Department of Shipping and Ports of the Gdynia Chamber of Industry and Trade.

In July 1945, he was drafted to the Navy in the rank of commander and given the role of deputy commander of the Naval Officer Academy. In December of the same year, he was nominated as the Navy’s Chief of General Staff and acting commander. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in March 1946 but was retired soon after in 1948.

As of March 1947, he was active as the president of the Main Council of the Maritime League.

In December 1949, he was arrested following false accusations of carrying out sabotage when repairing ships. During the investigation, he was tortured, and on 6th March 1950, sentenced to 13 years in prison.

He died in Sztum prison on 7th May 1953 and was buried in the cemetery in Brodno, Warsaw.  In 2018, his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Naval Cemetery in Oksywie, Gdynia.

In June 1957 he was exonerated and in 2019, The President of Poland made the decision to posthumously promote him to the rank of Vice-Admiral.

He was awarded the Order Virtuti Militari - 5th Class, the Silver Cross of Merit, the Medal for the 10th Anniversary of the Regaining of Independence, the Upper Śląsk Star, and during the inter-war period: the Grunwald Cross - II Class, the “for the Odra, Nysa and Baltic” medal, and more.