The Jaskółka class was a class of 6 minesweepers of Polish Navy built during the 30's. They were the first sea going warships of Polish production. The Jaskółka class was a versatile design which allowed the ships to serve in the role of either a minesweeper, small minelayer or a sub chaser. All were named after birds, therefore the class was nicknamed: ptaszki (birdies) in Polish.

Design and building

The first minesweepers in the Polish Navy were the German minesweepers of the FM type. These ships, built during the later part of World War I and bought by Poland during the early 20s, were already worn out by the 30's so the Polish Navy seek a replacement. The Modlin shipyard offered a design for the new class of minesweepers which was accepted. The first 4 ships of the class were built at Gdynia and Modlin. After they entered service they proved to be a good design so a further 2 were ordered in the mid 30s.

Ships in the class

The six ships in the class were:

• ORP Jaskółka
• ORP Mewa
  ORP Mewa
  ORP Mewa was a of the Polish Navy at the outset of World War II. Mewa participated in the defense of Poland during the Nazi German invasion of 1939. The ship was damaged on 1 September 1939 by a Nazi bomb. On 3 September she was again hit by bombs and sank. The ship was later refloated and...
  
  
• ORP Rybitwa
  ORP Rybitwa
  ORP Rybitwa was a Jaskółka class minesweeper of the Polish Navy at the outset of World War II. Rybitwa participated in the defence of Poland during the Nazi German invasion of 1939. The ship was damaged by a German bomb on 14 September 1939...
  
  
• ORP Czajka
  ORP Czajka
  ORP Czajka was a Jaskółka class minesweeper of the Polish Navy at the outset of World War II. It was built by the riverine shipyard at Modlin. Czajka participated in the defense of Poland during the Nazi German invasion of 1939....
  
  
• ORP Czapla
• ORP Żuraw
  ORP Żuraw
  ORP Żuraw was a of the Polish Navy at the outset of World War II. Żuraw participated in the defense of Poland during the German invasion of 1939.-Construction and service 1939:...