HELP is needed to solve a wartime maritime mystery.

The Polish ocean liner M/S Pilsudki was sunk in North-East waters just a few months into the Second World War.

Among the 10 souls who lost their lives was the hip’s captain Mamert Stankiewicz, who was afforded a funeral procession through the strees of Hartlepool.

Now, historians are appealing for anyone who may have attended the funeral or who know why Captain Stankiewicz is buried in the town.

The grave, at West View Cemetery, has been tended over the years and has received many visitors from Poland.

But members of Britain’s Polish community want to know more about the Captain’s Hartlepool funeral.

Mike Oborski, who represents the Consul of the Republic of Poland for the West Midlands, said: “The Pilsudski was enormously prestigious and sailed across the oceans to New York and beyond.

“But she was lost while serving as a troop ship at the start of the war. Casualties were few but included her skipper, who although rescued, subsequently died from hypothermia and exhaustion.

“Poland had been occupied so it might not have been possible to return his body home and that may be why he was buried in Harlepool.

“Survivors from the ship are still alive, so there may be people who remember the funeral.”

The Pilsudski was travelling between the Tyne and Australia when she hit a mine, 18 miles from Flamborough Head on November 26 1939.

But while the story of the Pilsudski is little known here, it is legendary in Poland.

Mike added: “The story featured in a famous Polish book which is used as a set text in schools.

“Captain Stankiewicz was praised for staying on the ship while the crew were rescued. He is seen as a legendary and was awarded the Polish equivalent of the Victoria Cross.”

Mike, who has put together a website on the Pilsudski, said the captain’s grave was renovated in 1989.

“I know the grave is visited by people from Poland but we would like to know more about the funeral and what people in Hartlepool remember,” he added.

The Pilsudski website is full of information about the ocean liner and can be found at http://www.mspilsudski.info

If anyone attended the funeral, or knows more about the links with Hartlepool, please call Mr Oborski on (01562) 823911.