Karol Olgierd Borchardt (1905–1986) was a Polish writer and captain of the Polish Merchant Navy.
Although he was born in Moscow, he spent the vast majority of his life and died in Gdynia. He raised two generations of Polish officers. While demanding, he was also a warm-hearted and understanding teacher. His books were tributes for his captains – Mamert Stankiewicz and Eustazy Borkowski. There are many schools named after him and it is an irrefutable proof that Karol Olgierd Borchardt is still remembered as a hero of Gdynia. He was extremely strong-willed, set himself goals on a regular basis and, what is more, he was open-minded, caring and inquiring as well. His book Znaczy kapitan describes fascinating adventures at sea in a humorous and informative way, mostly connected with Mamert Stankiewicz. The book Szaman morski tells the tales about Eustazy Borkowski, the title is a nickname of this extraordinary sea captain (eng. sea shaman). Karol Olgierd Borchardt was a very tall and strong man. Moreover, even in his elderly years, he still continued training yoga and other sports.
- Achievements
- Books: Znaczy kapitan (1960), Krążownik spod Somosierry (1963), Szaman Morski (1968)
- Cross of Valour (1920 and 1941)
- Cross of Merit (1957)
- Medal of Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Poland (1970)
- Gdynia's President Prize (1974)
- A Polish sail training three-masted gaff schooner put in service in 2011, the Kapitan Borchardt, is named after Karol Olgierd Borchardt.