Yugoslav training ship Galeb facts for kids

Galeb in dock, Viktor Lenac Shipyard, Kostrena, Croatia, 2008
Quick facts for kids History
Italy
Name	Ramb III
Builder	Ansaldo, Genoa
Acquired	1938
Out of service	1943
Identification	IMO number: 8961248
Fate	Captured by Germany
Germany
Name	Kiebitz
Acquired	1943
Out of service	1944
Identification	IMO number: 8961248
Fate	Sunk by Allies
Yugoslavia
Name	Galeb
Acquired	1952
Out of service	1991
Identification	IMO number: 8961248
Fate	Docked after disbanding of Yugoslav Navy
General characteristics
Type	Former presidential yacht
Speed	18.5 knots

The Yugoslav Navy training ship Galeb was also known as The Peace Ship Galeb (Brod Mira Galeb). It was the official yacht for Josip Broz Tito, the President of Yugoslavia. This ship became very famous in Yugoslavia and among countries in the Non-Aligned Movement. The word "Galeb" means "seagull" in Serbo-Croatian.

The Galeb: A Ship's Journey

From Banana Trade to Warship

The ship Galeb was built in 1938 in Genoa, Italy. Its first name was Ramb III. It was designed to carry bananas between Africa and Italy.

During World War II, in 1943, the ship was taken over by Germany. They changed its name to Kiebitz. The Germans used it to lay mines in the sea. On November 25, 1944, Allied planes sank Kiebitz while it was in Rijeka.

Rebirth as a School Ship

In 1948, a company called Brodospas (meaning SHIPSAVING) raised the sunken ship. It was then taken to the Uljanik shipyard in Pula. In 1952, the ship was rebuilt and renamed Galeb. It became a school ship for the Yugoslav Navy.

President Tito first boarded Galeb in 1952. He used it to inspect other boats. For the next 27 years, Galeb served Tito for 549 days. Tito himself was on board for 318 days. He traveled over 86,000 nautical miles (159,000 km) on political trips. During his time, 102 world leaders visited Galeb.

Ship's Power and Features

Galeb is 117 meters (384 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) wide. It weighs 5,754 tonnes. The ship can travel at 17 knots (31 km/h). It is powered by two Fiat diesel engines. These engines produce a total of 7,200 horsepower.

Italy once offered to remove these engines for their Fiat museum. In return, they would build a new school ship for Yugoslavia. However, Yugoslavia said no to the offer.

Galeb on the World Stage

The ship became famous in March 1953. It carried Tito from Yugoslavia to the River Thames in London. This was after an invitation from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. It was the first time a communist head of state visited the United Kingdom. Because Galeb was so big, it docked at Greenwich.

Tito loved how grand the yacht made his government look. He used it for parties, visits to other countries, and important diplomatic meetings. Many world leaders were guests on the ship. These included Nikita Khrushchev, Muammar al-Gaddafi, and Indira Gandhi. Tito was also excited to welcome actors Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They played Tito in the 1973 movie The Battle of Sutjeska.

The Ship's Later Years

Marshal Tito used Galeb from 1948 until he passed away in 1980. After Yugoslavia broke apart in 1991, the ship became owned by the Montenegrin government. It was later sold to a Greek yachtsman, John Paul Papanicolaou. He also owned the famous yacht Christina O.

Galeb was docked at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard in Kostrena, near Rijeka. Croatian authorities wanted to save the ship. They hoped to make it a museum. In September 2008, the ship partly sank on its right side due to a leak. On May 22, 2009, the city of Rijeka bought the ship for US$150,000.

Since then, Galeb has sometimes been open to the public. It has hosted art shows and meetings. In 2014, the Mayor of Rijeka announced plans to lease out Galeb. It would be partly a museum, showing Tito's private rooms and the engine room. The other part would be for businesses like restaurants and bars.

Funding of 4.5 million Euros was secured for its restoration. This was part of Rijeka becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2020. The work is expected to finish by mid-2021. Some of Galeb's furniture has already been restored. It is currently shown at the Rijeka City Museum, waiting for the ship's full restoration.

Famous Guests on Galeb

The meeting between Josip Broz Tito and Gamal Abdel Nasser held in 1955 onboard Galeb

Many important people, both leaders and celebrities, were guests on the Galeb.

World Leaders and Officials

The following heads of state and high-ranking officials were entertained on the Galeb:

Celebrities and Other Guests

The following famous people were entertained on the Galeb:

• Kirk Douglas
• Richard Burton
• Sophia Loren
• Elizabeth Taylor