Nestled in the waters near Hel, Poland, lies the battered but iconic wreck of ORP Wicher—a ship that symbolized Polish resilience, ambition, and sacrifice during one of the most turbulent eras in history. From her impressive commissioning in the late 1920s to her heroic battles in 1939, this destroyer’s story is a rollercoaster of technological innovation, daring missions, and wartime tragedy.
Text & photo: Bjørn Joachimsen
Constructed in France by the Chantiers Navals Français shipyard, the Wicher (meaning “Gale” in Polish) was a sleek warship that pushed the boundaries of Polish naval power. Launched on July 10, 1928, and joining the fleet in 1930, she was Poland’s first modern destroyer, measuring nearly 107 meters long, with a beam of 10.5 meters, and capable of speeds up to 33.8 knots. Her initial armament consisted of four 130 mm guns, torpedo tubes, and advanced depth charges—though these would be upgraded over time to keep pace with advances in warfare (Peszke, 1999).
She wasn't just a battleship—she was a diplomatic envoy, a symbol of national strength. Throughout the 1930s, Wicher traveled across Europe and beyond, visiting Madeira, Stockholm, Leningrad, Kiel, Helsinki, Tallinn, and many other ports. During the 1932 Danzig crisis, she was dispatched to showcase Polish influence, and in 1931, she even transported Marshal Józef Piłsudski on her longest voyage from Poland.
The wreck of ORP Wicher. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.
Filling Her Arsenal
As tensions grew in Europe, the Wicher’s weaponry was upgraded. By 1939, her armament reflected the shifting needs of warfare. Her 130 mm guns were replaced with newer models, and additional anti-aircraft artillery was mounted—yet, many still felt her defenses were not enough against the looming air threat (Herden-institut, 2007).
The Dawn of War and Heroic Last Acts
When Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Wicher was ready to defend her shores. On September 3, she was at Hel, guarding Polish waters, when she was suddenly attacked by German aircraft during a crucial operation to lay mines at Gdańsk Bay. Despite not being hit directly, she sustained damage from near misses, losing crew members and shells shattered her windows—yet her fighting spirit remained unbroken (Herden-institut, 2007).
Later that day, Wicher engaged in risky confrontations with German warships, including destroyers and cruisers. As the skies darkened with bombs and gunfire, the destroyer took two direct hits during air raids around 3 p.m., causing catastrophic structural damage. Her crew managed to evacuate to land defenses—marking her final act of bravery. One sailor lost his life, and twenty-two others were wounded in the brutal assault.
From Wreck to Wasteland—A Lasting Wreckage
Following the sinking, the Germans salvaged her wreck in November 1939, towing what remained to shallow waters near Jastarnia. Their plan was ambitious: repair her and incorporate her into the Kriegsmarine under the name Seerose. But these plans never materialized. Instead, she remained as a somber reminder of Poland’s resilience.
Fast forward to 1958—decades after her defeat—the name Wicher was resurrected, not as the same ship but as a new vessel: a Project 30bis destroyer transferred from the Soviet Baltic Fleet (originally built in Leningrad in 1951 as Skoryy, meaning "Rapid"). This second ORP Wicher served Poland during the Cold War until she was decommissioned and scrapped in 1975. Today, a single 130 mm cannon from her stands proudly in Gdynia’s Polish Naval Museum, while remnants of her hull lie along the beaches of Hel, where they serve as underwater landmarks and war relics.
The Wreck Today—A Silent Sentinel
The original WWII-era Wicher’s wreck was raised in 1946, but her legacy endures. The submerged remains rest quietly in shallow waters near Hel, with parts of her hull, funnels, and rudder still visible to snorkelers and divers. Over the years, her remains have been subjected to the marine environment, but they continue to tell the story of Poland’s heroic effort in the face of overwhelming odds.
Today, the remnants of ORP Wicher serve as a powerful reminder of Poland’s naval history and resilience. Whether viewed as a symbol of interwar modernization or a wartime hero, her wreck on the seabed near Hel stands as a silent testament to bravery and sacrifice. For divers, historians, and visitors alike, she embodies the spirit of a bygone era—echoing stories of courage that continue to inspire future generations.
The wreck of ORP Wicher. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.