Monument “Albatrosas” („Albatross“)

The fort of Spit was started to build in Kopgalis 1865. Particular attention of Government was paid to this fort after German victory over France in 1871, but still it was not used in war. In 1897 cannons were started to dismantle – the fort has been prepared to apply for civilian purposes. In the first half of 20th century there was built maritime semaphore, while part of the premises inhabited. Fort ditches, combined with the lagoon channel, were begun to use as quay for small boats.(Tatoris, Jonas. Senoji Klaipėda. Vilnius, 1994, p. 166).

In former fort 1979 the Sea Museum was opened. Near the Sea Museum on a stone pedestal in the water, distanced for several meters from the shore, „Monument to the gone seafarers and sunk ships“ stands. The monument depicts the albatross – the bird that overcomes all storms. On the monument there are carved surnames of seafarers that gone and did not return, names of sunk ships. Sculptor – Klaudijus Pūdymas, architect – Mindaugas Zabarauskas. (According to E. Kasparavičiūtė‘s article “This year the new monument will stand”. Klaipėda, 2008 November 26).

On 3 December 2011 unveiling ceremony of monument „Albatross“, dedicated to honour gone seafarers and sunk ships was held.