Altalena wreck located 78 years after deadly 1948 clash
The wreck of the Altalena, an Irgun arms ship sunk during Israel's 1948 War of Independence, has been located 500 meters underwater off the Israeli coast. Authorities are currently evaluating options for preservation or memorialization, as raising the vessel is considered technically unfeasible.
Why it matters
The discovery provides closure to a significant historical event in Israeli statehood and demonstrates the utility of advanced maritime mapping technology.
The wreck of the Altalena, the Irgun arms ship shelled on the orders of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion during Israel’s War of Independence, was located overnight about 20 kilometers off Israel’s coast after decades of searches. The vessel was found intact at a depth of 503 meters during a complex maritime operation following months of planning and preparation. The search was carried out using a ship equipped with specialized sensors and advanced survey systems. “We managed to reach the ship at a depth of more than 500 meters thanks to advanced technologies and intensive work by a professional and dedicated team at sea,” said Roni Sadeh, director of the Marine Mapping Division at the Survey of Israel.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in