MS Piłsudski facts for kids
MS Piłsudski in New York
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Poland |
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| Name | Pilsudski |
| Namesake | Józef Piłsudski |
| Owner | PTTO |
| Port of registry |  Gdynia, Poland |
| Builder | CRDA, Monfalcone |
| Yard number | 1126 |
| Launched | 19 December 1934 |
| Maiden voyage | 15 September 1935 |
| Out of service | 1939 |
| Identification | Callsign: SPED |
| Fate | Sunk, 26 November 1939 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 14,294 GRT |
| Length | 162 metres (531 ft) |
| Beam | 21.6 metres (71 ft) |
| Propulsion | Two diesel engines |
| Speed | 18 knots (33 km/h) |
The MS Piłsudski was a large and beautiful ocean liner from Poland. An ocean liner is a big ship that carries passengers across oceans, like a floating hotel! This ship was named after Józef Piłsudski, who was a very important national hero in Poland. She was built in Italy and was known for her elegant design.
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The MS Piłsudski: A Grand Polish Ocean Liner
The MS Piłsudski was a special ship for Poland. She was a passenger ship, meaning she carried people across the Atlantic Ocean. Her full name was MS Piłsudski, but during wartime, she was sometimes called ORP Piłsudski.
Building a Grand Ship
The Piłsudski was built in Italy by a company called CRDA. This happened in a town called Monfalcone. The ship was launched, meaning it touched water for the first time, in December 1934.
She was a very big ship for her time. She weighed over 14,000 tons. The Piłsudski was about 162 meters (531 feet) long. That's longer than a football field! She was also 21.6 meters (71 feet) wide. Two powerful diesel engines made her move. These engines could push her through the water at a speed of about 18 knots (33 kilometers per hour).
Life as a Passenger Ship
The MS Piłsudski began her regular journeys in September 1935. Her first trip was from Gdynia, Poland, to New York City in the United States. She sailed on the trans-Atlantic route. This means she carried passengers between Europe and North America.
Even though she was a strong ship, she faced challenges. On her very first ocean storm, she was badly damaged. But she was repaired and continued her important work.
War Service and Sinking
In 1939, a big change happened. The Second World War began. The Piłsudski was taken over for war service. She was planned to become an armed merchant cruiser. This is a ship that carries cargo but also has weapons.
However, these plans changed. Instead, she was turned into a troopship. A troopship carries soldiers and military supplies. On November 26, 1939, the Piłsudski began her first wartime journey. She sailed out of Newcastle upon Tyne in England.
Sadly, during this voyage, the ship hit a mine. A mine is an explosive device hidden in the water. Some people thought she might have been torpedoed, but a mine is more likely. The ship began to sink off the River Humber area. Her crew left the ship too soon. The Piłsudski could have been saved, but she sank.
A Sister Ship and a Story
The Piłsudski had a sister ship. This was the MS Batory, which became very famous in Poland. The first captain of the Piłsudski was a skilled sailor named Mamert Stankiewicz.
The ship also found a place in Polish stories. In a novel called Eccentrics, the main character is a musician. He plays in the ship's band on the Piłsudski's last peacetime voyage. After the war, he tells his sister about this unfinished journey.
Where the Wreck Is Now
Today, the wreck of the MS Piłsudski rests in the North Sea. It is located at 53°45.75′N 0°45.67′E / 53.76250°N 0.76117°E. The wreck is about 34 meters (112 feet) deep.
