The Jaskółka class was a class of six minesweepers of the 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 (English: birdies).
 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 four ships of the class were built at Gdynia and Modlin. After they entered service they proved to be a good design so a further two were ordered in the mid 30s.
Service
World War II
Post war
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