University Celebrates 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt on Board Dar Pomorza
On 24 March 2025, the eve of the 120th anniversary of the birth of Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt, the University held a celebratory event which was attended by representatives from the maritime community and friends. During the event, organised by Professor Daniel Duda, the Honorary President of the Polish Nautological Society and the Rector of our University from 1972 until 1981, recalled the most important facts from the life of Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt - a great patriot, teacher and writer. The event, which was attended by HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit, provided an occasion for the presentation of awards and distinctions for distinguished maritime persons.
Participants were welcomed by the Deputy Director for Content Matters at the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, Dr Marcin Westphal. Among the guests were the President of the Maritime and River League, Captain Andrzej Królikowski; the President of the Society of Friends of the National Maritime Museum, Dr Fryderyk Tomala; and Dr Jerzy Litwin, the Senior Director of the National Maritime Museum, as well as the personal assistant of Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt, Ewa Ostrowska.
The celebrations took place on board the Dar Pomorza - the ship on which the Captain served. Built in 1909, the ship was used from the 1930s until the 1980s by the Polish Merchant Navy as a training vessel for students of the Maritime School in Gdynia. It currently serves as a museum ship, which is home to the recreated cabin of Karol Olgierd Borchardt.
During the celebrations, Professor Daniel Duda presented MH The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit with the Honorary Commander's Cross "Pro Fluminibus Polonoru" Class I with Star, granted by the President of the Maritime and River League, Captain Andrzej Potapowicz. HM The Rector was also awarded the "Distinguished for the Maritime and River League" medal, awarded by its president, Andrzej Królikowski. Additionally, during the ceremony, Professor Adam Weintrit received the title "Friend of Borchardt Schools", awarded on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth.
Also taking part in the event were children, youth, heads and teachers from primary schools in Gdynia, Gdańsk, Strzebielina, and Rumia, named after Captain Karol Olgierd Borchardt, whose name is also born by the Gdynia Maritime University Main Library.
