Jaskółka-class minesweeper
The Jaskółka class was a class of 6 minesweepers of Polish Navy built during the 1930s. They were the first sea going warships of Polish production. The Jaskółka class was a versatile design which allowed the ships to serve in the role of either a minesweeper, small minelayer or a sub chaser. All were named after birds, therefore the class was nicknamed: ptaszki (birdies) in Polish.
 Rybitwa, Czajka, Mewa, Jaskółka | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators: |
 Polish Navy |
| Built: | 1933-1939 |
| Building: | 6 |
| Completed: | 6 |
| Lost: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Minesweeper |
| Displacement: | 183 tons |
| Length: | 45.0 m |
| Beam: | 5.5 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 shaft diesel engines, 1040 BHP |
| Speed: | 17.5 knots |
| Complement: | 30 |
| Armament: |
|
Design and building
The first minesweepers in the Polish Navy were the German minesweepers of the FM type. These ships, built during the later part of World War I and bought by Poland during the early 20s, were already worn out by the 1930s so the Polish Navy required a replacement. The Modlin shipyard offered a design for the new class of minesweepers which was accepted. The first 4 ships of the class were built at Gdynia and Modlin. After they entered service they proved to be a good design so a further 2 were ordered in the mid 30s.
Service
Ships
| Name | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaskółka | 1934 | 11 September 1934 | August 1935 | Sunk, 14 September 1939 |
| Czajka | April 1934 | 10 April 1935 | February 1936 | Captured by Germany, October 1939, and used as torpedo recovery vessel TFA11. Returned to Poland December 1956. Reclassified as a patrol boat in 1951, and again as an accommodation ship in 1966. |
| Mewa | 1934 | 10 January 1935 | October 1935 | Sunk, 3 September 1939, raised by Germany and renamed Putzig; later used as torpedo recovery vessel TFA9. Returned to Poland in December 1945. Reclassified as a patrol boat in 1951, and again as an accommodation ship in 1970. |
| Rybitwa | May 1934 | 26 April 1935 | December 1935 | Sunk, 3 September 1939, raised by Germany and renamed Rixhoft; later used as torpedo recovery vessel TFA8. Returned December 1945. Reclassified as a patrol boat in 1951, and again as an accommodation ship in 1966. |
| Czapla | 1937 | 22 August 1938 | August 1939 | Sunk, 14 September 1939 |
| Żuraw | 1937 | 22 August 1938 | August 1939 | Captured by Germany October 1939 and used as survey ship Oxhoft. Returned to Poland in December 1945. Reclassified as a survey vessel in August 1948. |
References
- Chesneau, Roger (1980). All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- Mały Modelarz 3/2000