Sail Szczecin 2026: Baltic Beauty

The vessel was built in 1926 at the Dutch shipyard N.V. Capello in Zwartsluis as a live eel transport ship named Hans 2. The space that is now the captain’s saloon originally housed a fish tank, and the vessel was powered by a steam engine.

In 1936, she was sold to Sweden, where she received the name Sven Wilhelm – the payment for the vessel was 25 tonnes of live eels. After years of service, the ship deteriorated and was withdrawn from operation in 1977. A year later, she was purchased by Victor Gottlow, who, after a thorough restoration, transformed her into a sailing vessel – initially a schooner, and since 2004 a brigantine.

The ship was given the name Baltic Beauty. Today, she stands out for her richly decorated interiors and a figurehead depicting an eel, referring to her fishing heritage.

Since 2019, the vessel has sailed under the Polish flag, with Gdańsk as her home port. In 2026, she celebrates her 100th anniversary.