ORP Mewa (Polish for "seagull") was a Jaskółka-class minesweeper of the Polish Navy at the outset of World War II. Mewa participated in the defense of Poland during the German invasion of 1939. The ship was damaged on 1 September 1939 by a German bomb. On 3 September she was again hit by bombs and sank. The ship was later refloated and captured by the Germans. After the war, she returned to serve under the Polish flag.[1]

ORP Mewa, in 1937
History
Poland
NameORP Mewa ("seagull")
BuilderStocznia Gdyńska, Gdynia
Launched10 January 1935
FateSunk 3 September 1939, later raised
General characteristics
Class and typeJaskółka-class minesweeper
Displacement183 t standard
Length45 m (147 ft 8 in)
Beam5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
Propulsion2 x diesel engines, 1,050 hp (780 kW) total
Speed17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph)
Armament
  • 1 x 75 mm gun
  • 2 x 7.92mm machine guns
  • 20 mines or 20 depth charges

Citations

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  1. ^ Twardowski & Lemachko, p. 351

Bibliography

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  • Twardowski, Marek & Lemachko, Boris (1980). "Germany". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.