MS Piłsudski

MS Piłsudski was a Polish ocean liner named after Józef Piłsudski, the first Chief of State of the Second Polish Republic. The ship was built in Italy and launched in 1934. It was the largest and fastest ship of the pre-war Polish merchant fleet.

History

MS Piłsudski was built by the Italian shipyard Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico in Monfalcone. The ship was launched on 26 August 1934 and completed in April 1935. It was the first of two sister ships ordered by the Polish shipping company Gdynia-America Line for the transatlantic service. The second ship, MS Batory, was launched in 1935 and completed in 1936.

The ship was named after Józef Piłsudski, a Polish statesman who played a significant role in the restoration of Poland's sovereignty in 1918, after the country had been partitioned and ruled by Russia, Prussia, and Austria for 123 years.

Service

MS Piłsudski entered service on 15 May 1935, sailing from Gdynia to New York City. The ship was used for transatlantic crossings, carrying passengers and cargo between Poland and the United States. It also made occasional cruises to the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea.

Sinking

On 26 November 1939, during the early stages of World War II, MS Piłsudski hit a naval mine laid by the German submarine U-31 and sank in the North Sea. The majority of the crew were rescued, but 33 people lost their lives.

Legacy

The loss of MS Piłsudski was a significant blow to the Polish merchant fleet. The ship was a symbol of Poland's maritime ambitions and its sinking marked the beginning of the end for the pre-war Polish merchant fleet.