The two submarines of the Orzel class were designed and constructed in the Netherlands. Originally four boats were planned but only two were approved. They were ordered as a result of worsening relations between Poland and Germany. The first, Orzel, was paid for by public subscription and the second, Sep, was paid for out of normal Naval Directorate funds.
The Dutch had built some very good submarines in the inter-war years and it was thus not surprising that the Poles should turn to them to build this new class. The design was similar to that of the Dutch Navy's O 19 class, which was building at the same time. They were of double-hull design.
Under the contract Poland was to pay the Dutch shipyards 3,235,000 guilders, 103,000 pounds, 900,000 Swiss francs and 226000 zlotys. According to the rates at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 1936 this amounted to 15.44 million zlotys, paid in twelve instalments separately for each boat. 85% of the preliminary costs were paid in Polish farm products (barley for breweries). The Polish Navy also paid for the armament, radio equipment, etc. so the overall cost exceeded 20 million zlotys. Poland supplied batteries, radio equipment, periscope lenses and steel for hull plating. Overall, Polish contribution accounted for 10.2% of the total worth of the two submarines.
The construction of Orzel was financed by voluntary subscriptions among the army and navy personnel (2,644,566 zlotys) and the community (5,723 699zlotys). The armament was paid for by the Navy. All this money had been raised by October 1937. 80% of those funds was used to pay for the construction of both submarines. Thus, owing to voluntary contributions on the part of the community, the Polish Navy not only got one new sub, but also work on the other one was accelerated. One should remember that between 1934 and 1937 the Polish Navy's budget was burdened with considerable expenses. Several new ships were being built (a large minelayer in France, two destroyers in Britain and four minesweepers in Polish shipyards).
Sep wasn't completed by the Dutch R.D.M. shipyard. On 10 January 1939 Sep was ready for trials which continued successfully until April. However, in view of the uncertain political situation the Polish Navy was afraid that the Germans would exert pressure on the Dutch in order to prevent the boat from being delivered to Poland, so the prospective commanding officer (Ltz. I Wladyslaw Salamon) was ordered to 'kidnap' the submarine. On April 2nd Sep left Rotterdam for the Oslo fjord where she was to conduct diving tests. On the 16th she arrived in Norway and made a rendezvous with the Polish destroyer Orp Burza. All but two Dutch dockyard workers were put ashore at the Norwegian Navy base in Horten. Sep was commissioned into the Polish Navy and accompanied by Burza the Sep she sailed to Gdynia where she arrived on the 18th of April. The two Dutch engineers were sent back to Holland. The resulting dispute between the Polish Navy and R.D.M. was settled out of court. Poland paid the last instalment and covered travel expenses of the 'abducted' Dutch dockyard workers. In return, the remaining equipment necessary to complete the boat was shipped from Holland. Sep was to return to Rotterdam in the summer of 1939 to complete her shakedown but because the war was imminent the idea was abandoned."
So far the article in English. Following are historic dates, yard No-s and technical specifications of the ship.
