Hi there!
One of 41 units of the Stocznia Szczecińska B-32 type. 'Proletarsk' was No. 8 of the B32/II.
The B32 design based on the 1936 Lübeck built 'Nordcoke', which in turn became well known for being one of the first ships with steel hatch covers.
Further information (in german language) can be found on: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stocznia_Szczeci%C5%84ska_B-32
Brgds,
Stefan

There was a great number of sisters of this class built (at least 10......?)

Good one Mike, my first few vessels I sailed on were all hatch boards, beams and Tarps, along with span and chain gear...very heavy going and terribly dangerous, especially straddling beams over open hatches, a few guys came to grief doing that over the years. One of our aussie seaman was doing that on one of our ANL River boats and he lost his footing, fell, hit the tween deck beam bellow and fell all the way down to the bottom killing himself in the process. I feel the three most dangerous exercises back in those days were, going aloft to house derricks, squaring up open hatches and stowing the anchor before self stowing chain lockers came along.

Everything about this scene is wonderful, as is the setting of grand harbour! mrdot.

HI NORTH
Yes,, I stared on the MS"Torsten" from Vega, a sietas ship... was rally hard work ,,spcial on rainy days !!!

Hello Captain Ted

I remember MC-Stemm from my Childhood . My father was owner of a Sietas build in the 50ties. Very hard work with the old system.But with the right amount of deck crew as fast as mc gregor single pull.

brgds

This was already easy,,by wire and winch,, I still ahd ships with wood panels,, and tarpes,, we called it Mc-Stemm !!!

Hello Mike
Really nice picture.Thx for sharing.

@ Denis : Just like in the present time.McGregor folding type.
Just not operated by hydraulic but by wires ,...

brgds

Nice one! I like the way they opened hatches back in the days.