WAGNER'S YEAR 2012
The current
Brotherhood news from Poland
is, paradoxically, from far away places and long gone times.
We have to start in
years between the two World Wars, in Poland , which, after long
partitions, just appeared as an independent state in 1918. There was a young
(19 years old) Polish Boy Scout, sailor - and adventurer, who left brand new
Gdynia harbour on a wooden boat without an engine and after voyage lasting
seven years became the first Polish man to circumnavigate the world under sails.
In those years that was a rare event and Frenchman Alain Gerbault who did the
same a little earlier is well known almost everywhere.
Our man, Wladyslaw
Wagner (alias Wladek), closed the loop on board of already third consecutive
built by himself boat called ZJAWA, after the voyage which was difficult,
arduous, interesting, made with various crew members - and successful. He
proudly presented Polish Flag around the world, in most places for the first
time and considered it his patriotic duty. He crossed his wake again near Portugal in the
summer of 1939. Alas, because of German invasion he was detained in Great Britain on 3rd September and could not
reach his home port in Poland .
His big personal achievement and recognition, gained already then, quite naturally
faded into insignificance during long years of WWII.
Neither he was
recalled and appreciated after the war. Because of fatal geopolitical decisions
made for Poland in Yalta , Wagner decided not
return to home land and that was his clear political statement. So, outside of
the close but small sailing community, he became a non-person and not worth a
mention in his native country. Second Polish independence in 1989 come too late
for him and did not change much in national memory. Half of the century was
already gone with the winds of history and his personal oblivion was
consolidated. By then he was an old and ill man and quite a short time later he
returned to Poland ,
but in cinerary urn - discreetly, almost anonymously and without any public
attention.
And here comes the
intervention of our Hermandad de la Costa - Polonia. Quite a few of our
Brothers did manage to made personal contacts with Wladek Wagner before he died
in Florida .
They did learn a lot about his life abroad. With his British wife and family he
spent many pioneering years on British Virgin Islands .
He built there first houses, first dockyard and first airstrip. He is still
remembered there. The place is Trellis
Bay in Beef Island
- a beautiful anchorage well known to international yachtsmen.
During one of Polish
Zafarranchos Brother Andrzej W.Piotrowski (#69) aired the idea of placing a
memorial there. Nowadays Polish sailors visit Caribbean
quite often but know nothing about the connection with our great sailor…They
hardly even know who he was and what he has done. That should be remedied!
It took few years of
gestation but the year 2012 offered a perfect opportunity. It marks exactly 100
years since birth, 80 years since start of circumnavigation and 20 years since
death of Wladek. And on 21-22 January 2012 idea come to the fruition.
Preparations lasted full year but result was spectacular. Over forty three
yachts with Polish yachtsmen, coming from many countries and directions, moored
in Trellis Bay for Wagner Sailing Rally 2012. Sail
training vessel brig FRYDERYK CHOPIN and four other vessels come especially
from Poland .
Commemorative plaque was unveiled on the Bellamy Cay islet in the middle of Trellis Bay , flags were raised and national
anthems played, speeches delivered (including a reading of a very touching
personal message from Wladek's wife Mabel).
For more curious some
written and visual reports of WSR 2012 in English are available on the internet:
http://www.hermandaddelacosta.pl/wagner/tedni/bvibeacon.jpg
http://www.hermandaddelacosta.pl/wagner/tedni/newspaper.pdf
http://www.bvibeacon.com/main/images/stories/videos/polish/index.html
http://wladekwagner.posterous.com/wladek-wagner-sail-rally-and-memorial
Brothers of the Coast
played significant and leading role in the Organizer's Committee. They received
instant understanding and strong support from many communities of Polish
sailors living and sailing abroad. Almost 300 participants coming from far away
places were emotionally satisfied. They expressed thanks for creating that
opportunity to remind Wladek Wagner, to show regard to him and also to
integrate Polish yachtsmen in the process.
Then, at the end of
2012, after all publications and various media reports, hopefully the name of
Wladek Wagner will cease to be an empty sound in Polish national consciousness.
His merits will be acknowledged and historical justice delivered - at long
last.
Jerzy Knabe #2
VI BoC Polonia
Commodore of Wagner
Sailing Rally 2012.
© 2010-2011 Hermandaddelacosta.pl.
All rights reserved.
March 2012
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