ORP Kujawiak, just like HMS Olympus, was struck by a mine off the coast of Valetta in 1942. The crew, who were part of the Polish Navy, were conducting a rescue mission.

After extensive research, the team at Heritage Malta were able to locate the wreck in September 2014, lying at a depth of 97m on her port side with her stern pointing north. Diving took place over three seasons. The ship is in excellent condition, with the hull still in tact and the bow in near perfect condition including the twin 102 mm guns. Only the ship’s stern is in a bad state, as it buckled when she first hit the ground.

You will need to hold Advanced Trimix certification for this dive. At this depth CCR diving is a much better option.

Wreck history

ORP Kujawiak was originally a British Hunt Type II destroyer built as HMS Oakley. Measuring 85m in length and weighing more than 1000 tonnes she was literally the sister ship of the HMS Southwold. The British Royal Navy handed her over to the Polish Navy in May 1941, and she was renamed ORP Kujawiak. A year later she was sent to the Mediterranean to escort a series of tankers and freighters. These merchant ships were defenceless against the aerial bombings of the Axis warplanes. This was a perilous task for all involved as the Maltese islands were one of the most heavily bombed regions in the world between 1940 and 1942.

On 14 June 1942 the armed convoy, known as Operation Harpoon, left Gibraltar and were almost immediately attacked by Italian submarines and torpedo planes. Three ships and one escort were destroyed, but ORP Kujawiak bravely defended the convoy and succeeded in shooting down four Axis planes. As the convey were entering the port of Valetta the next day, another ship, HMS Badsworth, struck a mine. ORP Kujawiak attempted a dangerous rescue mission and ended up hitting a mine herself. The Polish destroyer was lost, along with the lives of 13 brave Polish servicemen.

The ORP Kujawiak is a war grave, therefore divers shall be very respectful at all times. No penetration allowed. The wreck is under protection by Heritage Malta, special permit required for the dive.