FREDERYK CHOPIN KASZUBY and RADUNIA

[shipstamps]

Built as a cargo-passenger vessel under yard No 691 by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany for Cie Générale Transatlantique, France.
Launched under the name WISCONSIN.
Tonnage 8.172 gross, 10.021 dwt. Dim. 497.3 x 61.3 x 26.2ft.
Powered by triple expansion steam engine ?hp., one screw, speed 14 knots.
Accommodation for 38 passengers, first class.
1929 Completed.

After completing used in the service from France to the Pacific east coast of North America via the Panama Canal

December 1941 seized by the US at Los Angeles, and transferred to the United States Navy.
Under the name WISCONSIN used by USMC/W.S.A. and Panama flag during the Second World War.

13 November 1945 returned to her French owners.
Her passenger accommodation was increased to 76, and she sailed for the first time after the war from Le Havre on 12 December 1946, for New York were she arrived 25 December, then she sailed 05 January 1947 for Philadelphia before she headed home and arrived Le Havre 29 January.
She was kept in this service till the autumn of 1948, a six weekly service, made sometimes calls at Norfolk or Baltimore.
1951 Transferred to the Le Havre to New Orleans service.

1952 Sold to Polish Ocean Lines, Poland, renamed FREDERYK CHOPIN.
1957 Sold to Dalekomorski Bazy Tybackie (P.P.D.i.U.R.), Gryf, Poland, renamed KASZUBY.
She was then converted to a fish factory mother ship, used by the Polish fishing vessels in the North Sea and the packing, storing and transport of the herring to Poland.
(The name on the bow of the vessel on the stamp is FREDERYK CHOPIN, probably was she already under that name used as a factory vessel, or it is a design mistake, as factory vessel she carried the name KASZUBY. The stamp clearly shows us that she was used as a mothership for fishing vessels.)
1973 Sold to Polish Steamship Co, and renamed KAPITAN MACIEJEWICZ.

May 1982 Sold to Lindav Aftervinning, Landskrona, Sweden for scrapping.

The trawler near her port bow carried the fishing number GDY 101 which did belong to the RADUNIA, which was built as the second trawler of the Typ B-10 by the Stocznia Gadanska yard, for the Polish Government (PPD ‘Dalmor”)
21 May 1949 laid down.
26 November 1949 launched under the name RADUNIA.
Tonnage 685 gross, 450dwt, dim. 59.2 x 9.0 x 4.2m. (draught).
One Rankin & Blackmore compound engine & L.P. turbine, 1.000 hp., speed 12 knots.
35 crew.
Could stay out at sea for 22 days fishing.
Of the type till 1957 in total 87 vessels were delivered.
21 April 1974 arrived Gijon, Spain for breaking up by Manuel Havia Gonzalez.

Source: North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P. Bonsor. Navicula. Log Book. Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1929.

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Correct names FRYDERYK CHOPIN, later KAPITAN K. MACIEJEWICZ