Wicher 1939
Burza 1941
Burza 1943
Burza 1955
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Burza | N52, 52, 1960- 272 | CNF, Caen, France | 11.1927 | 16.4.1929 | 7.1932 | TS 11.1944, destroyer 1951, preserved 5.1960 | |
| Wicher | CNF, Caen, France | 2.1927 | 8.8.1928 | 7.1930 | sunk 3.9.1939 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
1540 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1920 |
|
Length, m |
100.9 pp 107.2 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
10.2 |
|
Draught, m |
3.30 mean |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 3 du Temple 3-drum boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
33000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
33 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 330 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 3000(15) |
|
Armament |
4 x 1 - 130/40 M1924, 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II, 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 x 3 - 550 TT, 60 mines, 2 DCT, 2 DCR |
| Electronic equipment | hydrophone |
|
Complement |
155 |
Project history: First large ships of Polish Navy. They were built under so-called to "small programme" of 1924, the order was placed 2.4.1926 in France: main foreign policy partner of Poland. As France had the big effect on Polish government, it managed to insist on a choice as the builder CNF, having there are not enough orders and not having sufficient experience of building of destroyers: for acquisition of this. Nevertheless, it has not saved a builder from bankruptcy, and both destroyers were transferred to the customer with delay.
As a prototype for Polish destroyers Bourrasque class destroyers were chosen. The basic differences from a prototype consisted in some re-planning of internal compartments (boiler rooms were moved on some frame spaces ahead), replacement of 37mm French MGs by British 40mm pompoms and minelaying abilities.
On the eve of war it was decided to modify Wicher and Burza to standardize armament with Grom class, installing 120mm Swedish guns and 533mm TTs and to strengthen AA armament.
Modernizations: mid-1940, Burza: - 1 x 3 - 550 TT; + 1 x 1 - 76/45 20cwt QF Mk I/II/III/IV, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62
1942, Burza: - 2 x 1 - 130/40, 2 x 1 - 40/39, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62; + 1 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 4 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, 2 DCT, type 271, type 292 radars, type 144 sonar; full displacement was 2430t.
1943, Burza: + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV
(4/1952 - 3.1955), Burza: was fully rearmed with 4 x 1 - 100/56 B-34-USMA, 4 x 2 - 37/70 V-11M, 4 DCT, 2 DCR, Rif-1, Giuys-1B, Rym-1 radars, Tamir-5N sonar; displacement was 1400/2240t, max speed 30kts.
Naval service: Wicher was sunk 3.9.1939 by German aircraft at Hel naval base. Burza 30.8.1939 escaped to Britain in operation "Beijing". 15.11.1944 she was laid up to reserve. In 1951 Burza returned to Poland, she was commissioned again in 1955 and served since 1960 till 1975 as memorial.
Wicher
Burza 1950s
© Ivan Gogin, 2009-16