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Jaskółka class minesweeper

OORP ptaszki.jpg
Rybitwa, Czajka, Mewa, Jaskółka
Class overview
Operators:  Polish Navy
Built: 1933-1939
Building: 6
Completed: 6
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:
  • 1 × 75mm
  • 2 × machine guns
  • 20 mines or 20 depth charges

The Jaskółka class was a class of 6 minesweepers of Polish Navy built during the 30's. 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.

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 30's 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.

The six ships in the class were:


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Wikipedia

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