Thetwin-screw motorship Pilsudski was launched on December 19, 1934, at the Monfalcone yards of the Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Italy, and entered the Odynia-New York service in July 1936, her maiden voyage being commemorated by this stamp.
She was built by special arrangement between the Governments of Poland and Italy, whereby part payment was made in Polish coal. Much of the vessel's equipment was supplied by a number of British firms. The consulting engineers were the well-known British naval architects Messrs. Graham, Robb and Woolnough, and a large quantity of British steel was used in the liner's construction. The Pilsudski was built to carry 402 third and 371 tourist-class passengers, a special feature of her accommodation being that cabins were superseded by bedrooms. She was one of the few motorships of her size not provided with accommodation for first or second-class passengers. Her dimensions were 498.8ft. x 70.8ft. x 32.4ft., and she had a gross tonnage of 14,294. In general appearance the vessel struck an ultra-modern note.
The liner left Poland in July 1939 for a voyage to New York, carrying many passengers for the World's Fair. She set out on the return journey before war was declared. British warships met her in mid-Atlantic and ordered her to change course and make for Inverness. She lay in the Scottish port for weeks while her luxury quarters were converted for the transport of troops. After completion of this work the Pilsudski was placed under the management of the Lamport and Holt Line, Liverpool. Whilst in the North Sea, outward bound for Australia to pick up an Australian contingent, the vessel experienced two explosions within 45 seconds of each other and began to sink. It was believed she had detonated two magnetic mines. All lights were extinguished and many men were injured.
The master of the ship, Capt. Hamart Stankiewicz, was seriously wounded, but refused to leave his ship. He ordered his men to go, saw them lower all boats and row round the slowly-sinking vessel, sending up flares until rescue ships came to their assistance. When all his crew seemed to be in the boats, the captain threw over a liferaft, jumped overboard, and swam to it. Two other crew members joined him. After drifting for more than an hour, the captain, weakened by his injuries, lost his hold on the raft and was swept away. Seaman Francirsek jumped after him and managed to get him back to the raft, where he was able to hold him until a British warship approached. A British naval rating, Stoker John Bell, jumped overboard with a lifeline around his waist and was able to transfer the wounded captain to the rescue ship, but the Polish master was dying as he was taken aboard. His last words were: "Long live Poland!" All the Britons, who were unhurt, paid tribute to the Polish officers and crew of the Pilsudski for their coolness and steadfastness. There was no panic, and orders were carried out efficiently.
SG315 Sea Breezes 3/49