Rybitwa, Czajka, Mewa, Jaskółka |
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| 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 x 75mm 2 x 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.
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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 seek 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: