On 1 October 1936, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, a chapter began in the history of the Polish Navy that would become one of its most enduring symbols.
During the christening and launching ceremony of a new destroyer, the ship’s sponsor, Countess Cecylia Raczyńska, pronounced the traditional words:
“Sail across the seas and oceans…”
With these words, the name ORP Błyskawica – “Lightning” – entered the history of the Polish fleet.
In 2026, we mark the 90th anniversary of that historic moment. To commemorate it, the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and Polish Sue are organising a special London event dedicated to one of the most remarkable symbols of Poland’s wartime history.
The 4th edition of the “ORP Błyskawica Days” will take place on 10 October 2026 at 6:00 pm at The Household Cavalry Museum in London, close to Whitehall.
From Cowes to the History of the Second World War
The christening and launching of ORP Błyskawica took place at the shipyard of J. Samuel White & Co Ltd. in Cowes. Just over two months earlier, the shipyard had launched her sister destroyer, ORP Grom.
Both destroyers were built in Britain for the Polish Navy and were among the most modern vessels of their class.
As the threat of war grew, Błyskawica, together with Grom and Burza, was transferred to Britain in August 1939 as part of Operation Peking, the Polish Navy’s plan to preserve its major surface vessels from destruction in the Baltic and enable them to continue the fight alongside the Allies.
The fate of the two sister ships was tragically different. ORP Grom was sunk on 4 May 1940 near Narvik after being attacked by German aircraft.
Błyskawica, however, survived the war and went on to become one of the most distinguished Polish warships of the Second World War.
A Ship That Fought Across Many Seas
During the war, ORP Błyskawica operated in the North Atlantic and the North Sea and took part in the Norwegian Campaign, the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk, operations in the Mediterranean and missions connected with Malta and North Africa.
One of the most famous episodes in the ship’s history took place in Cowes in May 1942.
When the town came under a major German Luftwaffe raid, Błyskawica and other Allied vessels took part in the defence of the area, opening fire on the attacking aircraft. The Polish destroyer’s presence became an important part of the town’s wartime story and created a bond between Błyskawica and Cowes that remains strong to this day.
The ship also participated in operations supporting the Allied landings in Normandy.
After the war, Błyskawica took part in Operation Deadlight, the Allied operation involving the disposal of captured German U-boats.
During her wartime service, Błyskawica travelled almost 150,000 nautical miles, escorted 85 convoys and carried out 108 combat patrols. Her anti-aircraft guns were credited with four confirmed aircraft destroyed, with three further victories considered probable.
The ship was seriously damaged three times. Seven members of her crew were killed during the war and 48 were wounded.
Return to Poland – and a Second Chapter in Her History
On 4 July 1947, ORP Błyskawica returned to Poland under the command of the renowned submarine commander, Commander Bolesław Romanowski.
The destroyer remained in active service for another two decades.
On 9 August 1967, during an exercise, a tragic failure involving steam pipelines resulted in the deaths of seven sailors. The disaster effectively brought Błyskawica’s active operational career to an end.
In 1975, the ship was finally withdrawn from active service and designated as a museum ship, replacing ORP Burza.
On 1 May 1976, Błyskawica welcomed her first visitors.
Since then, the ship has become not only an exceptional monument of naval engineering, but also a place where successive generations can encounter the history of the Polish Navy and the men who served aboard her.
Today, ORP Błyskawica is preserved in Gdynia and remains one of Poland’s most important surviving naval heritage sites.
“ORP Błyskawica Days” – Keeping Memory Alive for Future Generations
The idea behind the “ORP Błyskawica Days” grew from a desire to commemorate in Britain the history of the ship, her crew and the special relationship between Poland and the United Kingdom.
The 2026 edition is the fourth and will have a particularly significant character, as it marks the 90th anniversary of the naming of ORP Błyskawica.
The London commemoration is organised by:
Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and Polish Sue.
Guest of Honour – Katarzyna Raczyńska
A particularly significant presence at this year’s ceremony will be Mrs Katarzyna Raczyńska, daughter of Count Edward Bernard Raczyński and Countess Cecylia Raczyńska, the ship’s sponsor.
The presence of a member of the Raczyński family gives this year’s commemoration a unique symbolic dimension.
Ninety years ago, it was Countess Cecylia Raczyńska who stood beside the ship as she was launched at Cowes and pronounced the words associated with the birth of the legendary Polish destroyer.
Her husband, Edward Bernard Raczyński, was one of Poland’s distinguished diplomats.
He served as Polish Ambassador in London and, from 1979 to 1986, as President of the Republic of Poland in Exile.
The participation of their daughter therefore creates a direct personal link between the ceremony of 1936 and the commemoration taking place in London ninety years later.
“Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom”
A central element of this year’s programme will be the opening of the Institute of National Remembrance exhibition:
“Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom”
The exhibition tells the story of Poles during the Second World War – their deportations, exile, displacement, military service, struggle for freedom and journeys across continents and battlefronts.
It recalls the experiences of Polish soldiers and civilians who, despite the occupation of their homeland, continued the struggle for an independent Poland.
The history of ORP Błyskawica fits naturally within this wider story.
The destroyer formed part of the Polish Armed Forces fighting alongside the Allies and became a symbol of the continued presence of the Polish flag and Polish military service during a period when Poland itself was under occupation.
The Legacy of Błyskawica
ORP Błyskawica occupies a unique place in the history of the Polish Navy.
She is a veteran of the Second World War and one of the surviving destroyers of that conflict. She took part in military operations from the early stages of the war through to its conclusion.
Her story is also the story of the thousands of Polish sailors who served during the war – their courage, sacrifice and loyalty to the Polish flag.
Today, Błyskawica remains a powerful symbol of remembrance of the Polish Navy and its contribution to the Allied war effort.
She is also a place where history continues to be shared through ceremonies, educational programmes and commemorative events.
Her story belongs not only to Poland.
It is also part of the shared history of Poland and the United Kingdom, and of the wider Allied struggle for the freedom of Europe.
90 Years of Błyskawica – We Remember
The 2026 London commemoration will therefore be more than an anniversary gathering.
It will bring together history and the present – representatives of Polish institutions, the Polish community, historians, members of the armed forces, families and all those who value Poland’s historical heritage.
On 10 October 2026, at The Household Cavalry Museum in London, we will commemorate 90 years since the moment when, in Cowes, the words were spoken:
“Sail across the seas and oceans…”
Nine decades later, the name ORP Błyskawica continues to evoke the Polish flag, Polish sailors and their struggle for freedom.
May that memory continue to sail from one generation to the next.
IV EDITION OF THE “ORP BŁYSKAWICA DAYS”
90th Anniversary of the Naming of ORP Błyskawica
10 October 2026 | 6:00 pm
The Household Cavalry Museum
Horse Guards, Whitehall
London
Organisers
Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and Polish Sue.
Programme
- Commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the naming of ORP Błyskawica
- Opening of the IPN exhibition “Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom”
- Meeting with representatives of Polish community and historical organisations
- Participation of the Guest of Honour, Mrs Katarzyna Raczyńska
- A key part of the program will be the presentation of awards to the winners of the second edition of the “BŁYSKAWICA – Hero of the Sea” drawing contest for children from Polish community schools, organized by Polish Sue.
- Radio Wnet is the event’s media partner.
- Due to limited capacity, admission to the event is by invitation only.
90 years of a name.
90 years of history.
One enduring symbol 🇵🇱⚓️🇬🇧.
ORP Błyskawica.
Text: Polish Sue
Photo: Polish Sue, Archives.
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