Filled with luxury and works of art, the Polish ocean liner sailed for 33 years. Between 1936 and 1969, it carried more than 420,000 passengers. Why does ‘Batory’ evoke so many beautiful memories?
On 3 July 1935, the transatlantic motorship “Batory” was launched. Its godmother was the artist Jadwiga Barthel de Weydenthal, who fought for Polish independence. The ship was named after the Polish king Stefan Batory, who achieved great military success against the Muscovite state in the 16th century.
The ship was produced by Italians at the request of the Poles. The Polish side paid for most of the creation of the ship with … coal.
The MS (motor ship) Batory embarked on her first voyage on 21 April 1936, crossing the Mediterranean, the European part of the Atlantic and the English Channel to reach the port of Gdynia. It was the beginning of a beautiful story that involved more than 420,000 passengers.
A floating city and a work of art
The ship had everything a person needs to live, but especially to entertain. If someone fancied a good drink, they headed for the bar. For those who liked exercise, there was a swimming pool, a tennis court, a gymnasium and a basketball court. There was also the option of watching a film in the cinema room or listening to music and dancing on the dance floor. Afternoon concerts on the ‘Batory’ became a tradition. The more spiritual people could choose the chapel. There was also a shipboard newspaper with the latest news, which could be read in the reading room or on the veranda.
The ship itself was a floating work of art, as its interiors were designed by Polish architects who were world leaders in their craft in the 1920s.
Virgin voyage to the USA
On its first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, MS Batory set sail from Gdynia on 18 May 1936. When it sailed into New York harbour, it was greeted by the American Polish community gathered on board the harbour ships. It was certainly seen not only as a symbol of luxury but also as an emanation of the Polish presence at sea. The enthusiasm aroused by the Batory was due to the fact that Poland had remained repelled from the sea for centuries. When it gained access to it after regaining independence in 1918, it was an important political and military achievement.
History has come full circle
MS Batory carried passengers for 33 years, that is until 1969. Two years after she was withdrawn from service and taken to Hong Kong for scrapping. It was done by captain Tadeusz Meissner, who was the first officer on ‘Batory’ during the ship’s voyage in 1936.