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ORP Kujawiak (L72)
ORP Kujawiak (L72) was a Polish destroyer of the Second World War. Launched in October 1940 as the Royal Navy escort destroyer HMS Oakley, by June 1941, the L72 was commissioned into the Polish Navy and renamed ORP Kujawiak. The designation ORP translates to “Ship of the Republic of Poland”.
The invasion and subsequent defeat of Poland in September 1939 resulted in the formation of a Polish government in exile, first in France and later in the UK. Polish forces continued to actively support the Allied war effort, including the Polish Navy. Several escort destroyers, cruisers, and submarines were leased to the Polish Navy, which participated in various theatres of war escorting Allied convoys in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Seas. Amongst those vessels leased was the L72 which was a type II Hunt-Class destroyer, developed specifically for escort duties and armed for anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare with depth chargers and anti-aircraft guns like the pom-pom 2-pounder guns.
The wreck site of ORP Kujawiak is located approximately 6km off the coast of south-east Malta and lies at a depth of 97 metres. Lying on her portside, with her bow pointing southwards, the wreck is well-preserved. The hull is largely intact, and the destroyers’ main features are clearly visible. The bow of the wreck is also in good condition and the twin 102mm gun turret is completely undamaged. The bridge of the wreck is also well-preserved, whilst the funnel is not. The stern of the L72 shows signs of damage, but the rudder and propellers are intact. Many of the destroyers armaments, such as shell casings, ammunition, and depth chargers litter the seabed around the wreck.
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