Destroyer ORP “Błyskawica” – 50 years of the museum

By Marek Grzybowski

The Błyskawica Museum Ship welcomed its seven-millionth visitor in September 2025. The Polish ship, which fought in World War II in the Atlantic, is visited by over 100,000 people every year. The Polish destroyer is an international tourist attraction. The ship is the most recognizable symbol of the Polish Navy and Gdynia.

The sightseeing season for the destroyer “Błyskawica” lasts from April 1 to October 31.

The destroyer was built for the Polish government at the British Cowes shipyard in 1936. The ship was one of the most modern destroyers of the 1930s. The ship was modernized during World War II and adapted to escort war supply convoys from the United States to Great Britain.

During World War II, the Polish destroyer participated in the defense of the British town of Cowes from a Luftwaffe air raid in 1942. A commemorative plaque commemorates ORP Błyskawice’s participation in the heroic anti-aircraft defense of the town of Cowes.

ORP Błyskawica participated in the escort of 83 convoys during World War II. The Polish destroyer participated in combat operations and provided cover in the Norwegian Campaign, the Battle of Dunkirk, and the Allied landings in Normandy, Operations “Torch” and “Overlord” and the Battle of Ushant. He concluded his operational activities alongside the Allies with participation in Operation “Deadlight.”.

After the war, Błyskawica served for years in the Polish Navy. The ship retired in 1975 and has been moored in Gdynia as a museum ship.

ORP Błyskawica is the world’s oldest destroyer in its original design and equipment. The ship is 114 meters long and displaces approximately 2,000 tons.
During World War II, she sailed over 146,000 nautical miles. The ship participated in numerous convoys and combat operations.
The Polish destroyer museum was awarded the Virtuti Militari Order – the highest Polish military decoration – in 1987.

The Polish destroyer is a symbol of Polish-British friendship – the crews of the Cowes-based ships regularly visit Gdynia to pay tribute to the sailors of Błyskawica.