Sail Szczecin 2026: Generał Zaruski

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

Built in 1939 at a Swedish shipyard, the vessel 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 Second World War left her in Sweden. She reached Poland only in 1946 and, for decades, became the most important school of character for thousands of young Poles.

Between 2008 and 2012, the vessel underwent a comprehensive restoration, allowing her to impress today 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. The owner of the vessel is the City of Gdańsk.

In 2025, Generał Zaruski set out on an extraordinary expedition to Spitsbergen, commemorating a pioneering voyage from 50 years earlier. As part of the Gdańsk School under Sail project, the crew will spend 101 days at sea, covering 5,000 nautical miles, visiting 10 ports and 5 Polish polar stations. Twenty young, brave adults will have the opportunity to join this educational adventure.