Książka o tematyce żeglarskiej w II Rzeczypospolitej – relacje z rejsów na żaglowcach

Abstract

Among the maritime books published in interwar Poland, the ones that deserve most attention are sailors’ cruise narratives. They fall into three basic categories. First of all, they are books describing yacht cruises, both Baltic and transatlantic sailing, or even around-the-world voyages. There were many stories reporting the cruises on Polish tall ships: “Lwów”, “Iskra”, “Zawisza Czarny” and “Dar Pomorza”; especially the circumnavigation of the globe on the White Frigate – “Dar Pomorza” – incited the creative imagination of the participants, which resulted in four books describing the voyage. There was also one publication that presented a report on an inland-water yacht cruise. The focus of this article are books devoted to sea and ocean voyages on Polish yachts, published between the two world wars. In this period, ten books on yacht cruises were published, including one re-edition. Most publications concerned “Dar Pomorza” (five), sea voyages on “Lwów” (two) and “Iskra (two), and one described a cruise on “Zawisza Czarny”. The narratives evoked interest in maritime themes among the youth, owing to attractive presentations of enchanting sea journey on board of a yacht, colourful descriptions of the countries and ports visited, and interesting cultural observations. The interwar Poland needed qualified staff for its merchant fleet and the navy, and it is important to remember that “Iskra”, “Lwów” and “Dar Pomorza” were the training ships of maritime higher schools. Due to such publications, young people found their role-models and – frequently – their aim in life. Today, these books are witnesses of the passing tradition of tall ships cruises.