ORP Thunderbolt

ORP Grom was a Soviet destroyer of Project 30 bis (the Smelyi class, known in NATO as the Skoryi class), built at the A. Zhdanov Shipyard in Leningrad. Its keel was laid on March 1, 1950, and the ship was launched on December 20 of the same year. It entered Soviet Navy service on August 11, 1952, under the name "Sposobnyy," and was later leased to the Polish Navy on December 15, 1957, adopting the Polish ensign. In 1965, Grom was purchased by Poland and incorporated into the 7th Destroyer Division, based in Oksywie. During its service, the ship took part in numerous courtesy visits, including to Copenhagen, Brest, and Narvik, highlighting its role in Polish maritime policy and international cooperation. From an architectural perspective, ORP Grom represented the characteristic features of Soviet naval design from the 1950s, combining efficiency with weaponry that was modern for its time. In 1972, the ship was placed in reserve, and in 1973 it was finally decommissioned; partial dismantling took place around 1977, when Grom was sunk near the port of Hel to serve as part of a breakwater. During its service, it changed hull numbers, including "53" and "273." ORP Grom was one of two Polish destroyers of the 30 bis type, alongside ORP Wicher (II), forming an important part of Polish naval history and symbolizing an era of close cooperation with the USSR and the adaptation of Soviet vessels into the Polish fleet. The ship not only served at sea but also became a medium of cultural and diplomatic exchange, as evidenced by its numerous visits to Western ports.