The boat Biscaya: Kārlis Ploks
The story of the boat, Biscaya, is a story about people’s initiative, courage and independence. The Ploks family’s journey began in Germany in 1947, after they had single-handedly built the Biscaya, and finished in Brazil in 1951 after four years of sailing. The Ploks family’s adventure after the Second World War is not the typical post-war Latvian refugee story. It is more of an exception, showing that you don’t have to succumb or accept your situation, but that instead, you can create your own destiny.
Kārlis Ploks, the Trick Master
Kārlis Ploks’ life was unusual and full of adventure. He was born in 1895 in Sinole, Vidzeme. Read more >
Construction of the Biscaya
The Biscaya was a boat that was built in Germany by Latvian Karlis Ploks, with his own hands, during the first post-war years. Read more >
The Four Year Journey
In the summer of 1947, Kārlis Ploks, left on an adventure-filled journey with his wife and son. Read more >
Haralds Ploks today
After the journey with the Biscaya, Kārlis Ploks’ son Harald Ploks settled down in Brazil. Read more >
Travel map
Further reading
Latvians in Brazil
Latvians have been immigrating to Brazil since the early 1890’s. They were people who hoped to find land for farming, as well as a more prosperous and freer life in the country. Economist Kārlis Balodis (1864-1932) and philosopher Pēteris Zālīte (1864-1939) encouraged Latvian emigration to Brazil.
Read more>
Second World War refugees
Reprisals, arrests and deportations during the first Soviet occupation of Latvia from 1940 to 1941 deeply shocked many Latvian inhabitants.
Read more>