The exhibition located in the cargo holds of ‘Sołdek’ reveals the history of the unique steam-powered ship and the biographies of seafarers related to the ship – captains, officers, constructors and shipyard workers. The exhibition presents the history of ship’s construction and the operation of coal and ore carrier as well as the political, social and economic reality when the ship was built and sailed. Drawing on a wide range of archive documents, photographs and films, the multimedia audio-visual instruments introduce the history of the revival of the Polish shipbuilding industry after World War II and the characteristic features of the work of welders, riveters and tracers. The exhibits from the world of technology – original shipbuilding tools from the mid-twentieth century and the iron ore and coal samples – reveal the ship’s history from the perspective of those who built and worked on the ship. Inside the cargo holds you can see the elements of ‘Sołdek’ structure up close, presented with the use of special lightning. The sounds of the sea accompanying the visit, as well as the sounds of steam engine and shipyard operations emphasize the authenticity of the ship’s industrial space.
The fully equipped engine room reveals the ship’s mechanical propulsion with coal-fired boilers, rarely used these days, as well as the piston steam engine. In the wheelhouse you can find the historic equipment, including, for example, speaking tubes to communicate with the engine room. As it is possible to look into the crew cabins and the mess, in the midship superstructure and at the stern, the visitors will learn the working conditions for officers and seafarers in the middle of the last century.
Visiting ‘Sołdek’ from outside provides an opportunity to learn the coal and ore carrier’s historic structure, including the raised quarter deck. On the main deck there are hatch covers of four cargo holds and reloading equipment powered with steam engines: gantry masts with derrick booms operated by hoisting winches dating back to World War II. At the stern there is a boat deck with the ship’s rescue equipment and the helmsman’s emergency station.
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