ORP Lightning

ORP Błyskawica is a Polish destroyer built at the John Thornycroft & Co. shipyard between 1935 and 1937, and one of the two Grom-class vessels. It served in the Polish Navy, actively participating in World War II, including the Norwegian and French campaigns, the Battle of the Atlantic, as well as Operations Torch and Overlord. The ship was renowned for its impressive speed, reaching a maximum of 40.4 knots. After the war, in 1946, Błyskawica returned to Poland, where it served as the flagship before being converted into a museum ship in 1976. As the oldest preserved destroyer in the world, Błyskawica is a unique monument of military architecture, featuring an interesting design that includes an unusual artillery layout and a fire control system developed by the Polish Optical Works. The ship holds significant historical importance, symbolizing Poland's contribution to the fight against Nazism. Additionally, Błyskawica enjoys cultural prominence, appearing in naval literature and being featured on a coin issued by the National Bank of Poland. Interestingly, in 1987, the ship was awarded the Gold Cross of the Virtuti Militari Order. Since becoming a museum, Błyskawica has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, educating the public about the history of the Polish Navy and promoting maritime culture in Poland.