The Pilsudski, a Polish liner was
sailing from America homeward bound when the German invasion of Poland
took place on September 1 1939. At 14,294 tons gross the Pilsudski is the
largest wreck off the Yorkshire coast. Owned by the Gydyia-America
Shipping Line, she was 499ft long with a beam of 71ft and a depth of 32ft.
She was built in Italy in 1935, by Cantieri Riuniti dell Adriatico, and
was powered by two 9 cylinder Sulzer diesels which gave her a speed of
over 18 knots. Named after a famous Polish General, Pilsudski was the flag
ship and pride of the Polish Merchant fleet. She was paid for under the
coal barter agreement with the Italians. She was a symbol of national
status for the Poles and is still of great interest today. Pilsudski made
her maiden voyage to Newyork via Montreal in September 1935. Over the
years she made twenty transatlantic crossings a year, carrying around 800
passengers each time. During her last homebound crossing when Poland was
invaded she was diverted to Britain. While at Newcastle upon Tyne she was
prepared for service as a troop transport, later that year on November 26
she struck a mine and sank off the river Humber bound for Australia from
the Tyne. Ten lives were lost, survivors and victims were picked up by a
passing ship and landed at Hartlepool, there victims were buried in the
local church yard.
Today the Pilsudski is only a shadow of her former self, we have taken
Polish divers there on several occasions only to find them disappointed
with the condition of the wreck, it no longer resembles the photographs.
However there is plenty to see, the wreck cannot be seen in just a few
casual dives because of the short slack water which happens 5 hrs after
hw/lw Scarborough. The wreck site is located in 32 mts 30 miles off the
river Humber 50 miles from Scarborough on the edge of the silver pit, the
tide can be quite strong here, running at six knots as the deeper silver
pit fills, overfalls are often present down tide. The bow stands 12 mts
and hard over to port, complete with decorative motiff on the
stem and name on the starboard bow, showers washrooms and heads can be entered from
behind the bow. Diving aft from the bow you are committed to cross the
desert, sometimes there is exposed big brass windows, much wreckage is
often buried for years, when it shows we have noticed gray paint! The
Italian flare for artistic design is evident on the many artifacts and
fitting that have been raised. The engines are almost buried, they would
stand 8mts high. The stern is upright 6 mts high the remains of gun is on
the sea bed, the propellers are well buried. The entire site is covered in
sea life due to the strong tide with lobster cod pollock and pouting in
abundance. The fish seem almost tame at night, pouting seem to like bright
lights and to be tickled. Visibility can be very good, The site is in a
main shipping lane, so its safer to keep the boat moored in the wreck
having the divers return u/w, ships will pass clear if they know your
vessel is stationary. In the Humber approaches. vessels are crossing the
tide at reduced speed, beware of wrong aspects. approaching vessels may
not be head on, the vessel may still be converging with you because of the
considerable tidal set. At all times have anchor gear prepared ready for
dumping with a bouy on! Have a signal lamp ready at night, Flashing morse
DOT, DOT, DAR. (uniform) works well. You will be asked your position and
intention, have details to hand. With anchor watches sorted you can sleep
& dream of another early morning dive on this classic wreck only 30 mts
below your bunk. Oh bye the way the bell is still on this one!
The Pilsudski, a Polish liner was
sailing from America homeward bound when the German invasion of Poland
took place on September 1 1939. At 14,294 tons gross the Pilsudski is the
largest wreck off the Yorkshire coast. Owned by the Gydyia-America
Shipping Line, she was 499ft long with a beam of 71ft and a depth of 32ft.
She was built in Italy in 1935, by Cantieri Riuniti dell Adriatico, and
was powered by two 9 cylinder Sulzer diesels which gave her a speed of
over 18 knots. Named after a famous Polish General, Pilsudski was the flag
ship and pride of the Polish Merchant fleet. She was paid for under the
coal barter agreement with the Italians. She was a symbol of national
status for the Poles and is still of great interest today. Pilsudski made
her maiden voyage to Newyork via Montreal in September 1935. Over the
years she made twenty transatlantic crossings a year, carrying around 800
passengers each time. During her last homebound crossing when Poland was
invaded she was diverted to Britain. While at Newcastle upon Tyne she was
prepared for service as a troop transport, later that year on November 26
she struck a mine and sank off the river Humber bound for Australia from
the Tyne. Ten lives were lost, survivors and victims were picked up by a
passing ship and landed at Hartlepool, there victims were buried in the
local church yard. 
Today the Pilsudski is only a shadow of her former self, we have taken
Polish divers there on several occasions only to find them disappointed
with the condition of the wreck, it no longer resembles the photographs.
However there is plenty to see, the wreck cannot be seen in just a few
casual dives because of the short slack water which happens 5 hrs after
hw/lw Scarborough. The wreck site is located in 32 mts 30 miles off the
river Humber 50 miles from Scarborough on the edge of the silver pit, the
tide can be quite strong here, running at six knots as the deeper silver
pit fills, overfalls are often present down tide. The bow stands 12 mts
and hard over to port, complete with decorative motiff on the
stem and name on the starboard bow, showers washrooms and heads can be entered from
behind the bow. Diving aft from the bow you are committed to cross the
desert, sometimes there is exposed big brass windows, much wreckage is
often buried for years, when it shows we have noticed gray paint! The
Italian flare for artistic design is evident on the many artifacts and
fitting that have been raised. The engines are almost buried, they would
stand 8mts high. The stern is upright 6 mts high the remains of gun is on
the sea bed, the propellers are well buried. The entire site is covered in
sea life due to the strong tide with lobster cod pollock and pouting in
abundance. The fish seem almost tame at night, pouting seem to like bright
lights and to be tickled. Visibility can be very good, The site is in a
main shipping lane, so its safer to keep the boat moored in the wreck
having the divers return u/w, ships will pass clear if they know your
vessel is stationary. In the Humber approaches. vessels are crossing the
tide at reduced speed, beware of wrong aspects. approaching vessels may
not be head on, the vessel may still be converging with you because of the
considerable tidal set. At all times have anchor gear prepared ready for
dumping with a bouy on! Have a signal lamp ready at night, Flashing morse
DOT, DOT, DAR. (uniform) works well. You will be asked your position and
intention, have details to hand. With anchor watches sorted you can sleep
& dream of another early morning dive on this classic wreck only 30 mts
below your bunk. Oh bye the way the bell is still on this one!