Generał Zaruski

Generał Zaruski is a vessel with an extraordinary history and one of the last witnesses to Poland’s pre-war maritime tradition. After a brief absence from our port, this beautiful wooden gaff ketch returns to Szczecin to once again become one of the stars of the rally.

Built in 1939 at a Swedish shipyard, she was created on the initiative of General Mariusz Zaruski himself — a pioneer of Polish yachting and maritime education. She was intended to serve Polish youth, but the outbreak of the war kept her in Sweden. She did not reach Poland until 1946, and for decades became one of the most important schools of character for thousands of young Poles.

The vessel underwent a thorough renovation between 2008 and 2012, thanks to which she now impresses with her authenticity. She is not only a historic monument, but also a fully operational training sailing ship that regularly takes part in The Tall Ships Races, promoting maritime heritage and the Polish flag. She is owned by the City of Gdańsk.

In 2025, she set off on an extraordinary expedition to Spitsbergen, commemorating a pioneering voyage made 50 years earlier. As part of the Gdańsk School Under Sail, over 101 days the crew will cover 5,000 nautical miles, visiting 10 ports and 5 Polish polar stations. Twenty young, courageous adults can join this educational adventure.