Ouragan
Info History Operational History Technical Data

Ouragan was launched on 6.XII.1924, and loaned to the Polish Navy on 18.VII.1940 and returned to the Royal Navy on 30.IV.1941. First commander of the ship was cpt. Eugeniusz Plawski. Ouragan entered the service in Marine Nationale, in January 1927, and joined the 2nd Squadron,
Ouragan in 1928 with the old tactical number from the 2nd Squadron
of the 2 Destroyers Flotilla in Toulon. Later in the mid 1930s ship was moved to the 4th Squadron in Brest (and also received new tactical number T 42). In the first months of war Ouragan, was escorting convoys from Casablanca via Gibraltar to England. From October 1939 to January 1940 she was hunting for U-boats, but without any results. In 1940 Ouragan was damaged in English Channel, and during French Campaign she was staying in the dock.

In June 1940 ship was towed to Plymouth, and on 12.VII.1940 Ouragan sailed to Davenport for repairs. Also ship received new tactical number - H 16.
The only known picture of Ouragan under the Polish flag
On 18.VII.1940 ship was handed over to the Poles, with the original name, and prefix O.F. - Okret Francuski (French Ship). On 2.IX.1940 Ouragan was assigned to the 1st Destroyers Flotilla in Portsmouth. During the renovation old French 130mm guns were replaced by English 120mm guns. While staying in the docks, Ouragan took part in the defence of the Devenport, during German air raid on the town. As it occurred it was the only combat action of the ship, during her career in the Polish Navy! In September 1940 new commander was appointed - lt. cmdr. Tadeusz Gorazdowski. The renovation ended on 23.X.1940, but 5 days later, Ouragan had to again return to the shipyard, which ended on 17.XII.1940.

On 20.XII.1940 ship arrived to Scapa Flow. Later on 1.I.1941 Ouragan together with British cruiser Edinburgh and destroyers Keppel and Douglas, escorted 4 minelayers. On 3.I.1941 during minelaying operation north of the Faroe Islands, because of the heavy storms Ouragan was sent to the base. On 17.I.1941 ship was escorting battleship Nelson, next day British destroyer Whitehead damaged Polish's destroyer starboard. The repairs in Greenock lasted until 29.II.1941. Then the ship was assigned to the 23rd Destroyers Flotilla in Portsmouth. During that time the Ouragan's armament was consisting of: three 120mm guns, one AA 76mm gun and 2 AA 37mm guns. The next renovation (because of the small failures of the machinery), lasted from 10 to 23.III.1941, this time in Chatham. On 29.III.1941 again Ouragan left the port to escort the convoy. Again because of the storms, ship had to return to the harbour. When returning to the base, Ouragan escorted British ship s/s Greyhead. On 29.IV.1941 ship was returned to the British side. The Ouragan's crew went on to the Krakowiak and Kujawiak. During her career in the Polish Navy, from 288 days, Ouragan only 31 days spent in the sea, 63 spent in the harbour and 194 in the yard!! After the ship was handed to the Free French Navy, Ouragan was staying in Portsmouth until 1.XII.1942 as a house tender. In January 1943 ship was refereed to the yard and on 8.II.1943 ship was transferred to the Royal Navy, where she was used as a air target. In April 1944 ship was rearmed, now ship was armed with: 3 x 120mm, 1 x 40mm, 8 x 20mm. Month later on 6.V.1944 Ouragan was returned to the French. Until the end of the war ship was staying useless in Hartlepool. In 1949 Ouragan was towed to France and on 7.IV.1949 ship was scrapped.