Researchers discovered the remains of the Hetman Żółkiewski, a World War II-era tugboat from the fleet of the Second Polish Navy earlier in October.
The Triglav Exploration and Search Group found the shipwreck in the Narew River at the foot of the Modlin Fortress, according to Polish science outlet Nauka w Polsce.
The tugboat plays a significant role in Poland’s naval history. The country had to scuttle the vessel in 1939 after nearly two decades of service, fearing that the Polish Navy’s secrets would fall into the hands of advancing German forces, according to Slawomir Kaliński, who was part of the discovery. (RELATED: WWII Ships From ‘Forgotten Battle’ Discovered Off Coast Of Alaska)
The Hetman Żołkiewski, along with other wrecks, was found using sonar scans and is believed to contain information about military technology from Poland’s river flotilla.
The wreck of the #Polish navy vessel “Hetman Żółkiewski,” likely scuttled in 1939 to avoid capture by #German forces, has been discovered in the #Vistula River near #Warsaw.https://t.co/TuzJorBnHu
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) October 15, 2024
The ship was originally built in Warsaw in 1887 and was originally intended as a passenger steamer before it was sold to the Russians. Polish forces captured the vessel during the Polish-Soviet War in 1920 and renamed it “Gwiazda,” which translates to “star,” according to the outlet.
The ship was later rebranded in 1922 as “Hetman Żółkiewski,” now an armed tugboat for the Poland’s Pinsk Flotilla. It was in commission until it was scuttled in 1939.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
