History of Diving Museum Immerse Yourself! series presents Searching for Escort Destroyer, ORP Kujawiak, with the maritime archaeologist, Chris Kraska on November 21, 2018. 

Before you dive into some pumpkin pie, join HDM as we dive into the Mediterranean Sea in search of a lost WWII naval ship!  November’s Immerse Yourself speaker, Chris Kraska will take guests on the search to find the Polish naval ship his father was stationed on.

Chris’ father was a seaman in the Polish Navy and served aboard several ships in combat. It included the escort destroyer ORP Kujawiak.  While running missions off the coast of Malta during Operation Harpoon in June 1942, the Kujawiak heard a distress call from another vessel. When the Kujawiak went to assist, it too struck an underwater mine and sank to its demise. For decades the ship’s exact location in the Mediterranean was unknown. In 2014, Chris was part of a multi-national team of divers and archaeologists in conjunction with the University of Malta. That located his father’s ship. Over the next few years, they returned to the site, making several dives to map the wreckage and document the condition. In 2017, the team raised the ship’s bell for conservation and also a display at the Maritime Museum of Malta.

Marine Archaeologist

Chris is a marine archaeologist, divemaster and underwater photographer with hundreds of dives in warm waters as well as on Lake Erie.  He is a member of numerous maritime archaeology organizations as well as the Explorers Club and Royal Geographical Society.  His archaeological work has taken him around the world, including excavation on the wreck believed to be the “Lake Serpent” in Lake Erie.  Chris splits his time between Florida and Ohio with his wife Laurie.

The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is opened 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “man’s quest to explore under the sea”. Check out DivingMuseum.org to find out about speakers, upcoming events, group discounts, or private tours. The facility is also available for private meetings and events. Email us to find out more:  programs@divingmuseum.org

Immerse Yourself! Series

The Immerse Yourself! Series, ongoing on the third Wednesday of every month since opening in 2005, is a FREE presentation open to the public. Museum members can call ahead to reserve a seat. Not a member? We invite you to join and help support educational outreach like the Immerse Yourself! series and also other special programming. Join today and make a difference!

Speaker Chris Kraska  with recovered Kujawiak bell

ORP Kujawiak