The MS (Motor Ship) Batory is one of the most popular Polish Transatlantic Liners and a symbol of Polish emigration. It was called “Lucky Ship”, because it took part in many martialoperation during World War II (e.g. it participated in the battles of Narvik) without suffering heavy harm. It was destroyed after thirty six years of duty.
Autor: Mark Michaelis
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The MS Batory was launched on 3 July 1935 (it was constructed in Italy). On its virgin trip it set off from Monfalcone to Gdynia on April 1936. This breathtaking liner has on its board lots of excellent passangers such as: Wojciech Kossak, Monika Żeromska or Melchior Wańkowicz. This trip was reported by Polish Radio. The MS Batory started frequent service in May 1936 on the Gdynia – New York run. The ship equipment was novel and very impressive. It was powered by two sets of Burmeister and Wain diesel engines (it could reach a speed of 18 knots). The ship was 160 metres long, weight over 14,000 tonnes, had seven desks, guest cabins, dining and dance halls, a reading room, a pool and a gym. It was also ornamented with big taste (including pricey crockery and beautiful furniture). MS Batory was callednamed a floating art showroom.
The news about war met the ship during a voyage from Canada and then The Batory was converted to a warship and spent 652 days at sea. The most meaningful cruise was a evacuation almost 500 kids from Europe to Australia. After war the ship returned to Poland (see veneers poland cost) in 1946 and carried on civil duty (in the 60-ties it even played in a few films). On its desk many Polish people abandoned theirs homeland looking for a better life beyond the Atlantic Ocean in the USA. Then, after many years of service, in 1971 The Batory was sent into retirement and go to demolition yard in Honkong. In 1969 it was replaced by a larger vessel TSS Stefan Batory. Nothing, apart from pictures, recollections and a few souvenirs had left from the MS Batory and its liner accessory. That was the end of the tale of the Polish Transatlantic Liner known as a “Lucky Ship”.
visitors can admire model of MS Batory in the Emigration Museum in Poland in the town of Gdynia. Unfortunately visitors can’t miracle inside of the vessel, but they can get know more about its fabulous tale, brave man (especially about its chef – Eustazy Borkowski). In the other rooms of this museum they can also get know more about man who chose emigration, about their existence (before and after they left Poland), about their motivation and future choices.