Divers examine two 100-year-old shipwrecks at the bottom of the Vistula

This August, in the vicinity of Bobrowniki, there will be a research expedition to investigate two wrecks lying on the bottom of the Vistula River. The sunken vessels probably date from the first half of the 20th century. A fragment of one of them can be seen above the water surface when the river level drops significantly in the summer. The research will be carried out by divers from Włocławek under the supervision of underwater archaeologists.

-- Advertisement --

The divers’ main objective is to thoroughly investigate and try to identify both wrecks. The mentioned vessel, which sticks out above the surface of the water at a low level, is most probably the wreck of a very characteristic side-wheel drive vessel – “Cooperative Vistula”, which, according to available information, was sunk by the Luftwaffe in the first days of World War II.

Looking at the model of the side-wheeler, it is hard not to be impressed by its design. The possibility to dive on such a wreck, as well as to cruise on its deck would surely be a great experience. Nevertheless, the second wreck arouses much more excitement among researchers. It is very likely that we are dealing here with the remains of ORP “Moniuszko” sunk in the Polish-Bolshevik war (1919-1920).

“These relics of the Polish-Bolshevik war are really such an ‘iron wolf’. They are terribly rare,” explains Olaf Popkiewicz, archaeologist.

The search for the wrecks and the initial reconnaissance will be carried out using side scan sonar and a magnetometer. Then, in selected locations divers will begin to uncover individual parts of the wrecks, using ejectors. It is hoped that the sand and sediments carried by the river have allowed the vessels to remain in relatively good condition.

The works have been scheduled for the next two years, and the provincial conservator of monuments has already given his consent to carry them out. The research will start in August 2015 and will last for the next 2 months.

The situation with the wreck of ORP “Moniuszko” is even more interesting, as Tomasz Wąsik from the Włocławek History Museum claims that the ship was repaired after being damaged during the Bolshevik bombardment, and after the war it was returned to its owner. What is more, the “Moniuszko” reportedly served until the middle of the 20th century and was then scrapped. In order to confirm this information, the head of the museum in Włocławek refers searchers to documents in the Central Military Archive in Warsaw.

The cost of the planned works has been set at PLN 60,000. The organisers are hoping to attract local companies and institutions to help cover some of the costs. Those wishing to support the project can obtain more information at Mr Jaques diving centre in Wloclawek. The question is whether, in light of the information provided by Tomasz Wąsik, the expedition will take place at all?

If anyone has information about the above mentioned wrecks and their history, they are also asked to contact the organisers of the whole expedition.

Source: pomorska.pl, Photo: nmm.pl