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5
years after the arrival of the 2 "S" class submarines, Israel decided
to enlarge her submarines' squadron and purchased another 2 submarines
(and later a 3rd) from Great Britain. Again old and used
submarines were acquired. 3 "T" class submarines were bought from the
British Navy. Their names were: H.M.S. Turpin, Totem and Truncheon.
Although built during the 40s, those submarines were bigger, faster
and more modern than the "S" class. The submarines were built in Devonport
shipyards and in the mid 50's they were renewed and refitted. 12 feet
were added to the length of the pressure hull. The deck gun was removed,
2 more electrical motors were put in and the boats were streamlined
with an enclosed new fin and a new deck.
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T
class submarine during the 40's
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After
refit during the 50's
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H.M.S.
Turpin, Totem, Truncheon
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INS
Leviathan, Dakar, Dolphin
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After
purchase by the Israeli Navy, Leviathan and Dakar were refitted and
modernized again. The refit were done in Portsmouth.(The refit of the
Dolphin took place in Israel) Each refit took between 18 to 24 months
to complete. During that time the Israeli crew of the submarines stayed
at Portsmouth and was involved along the whole refit process.
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The
refit of the Turpin/Leviathan-dismantle of the old fin
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The
2 huge Admiralty diesel engines of the Totem/Dakar prior to refit
(click on small pictures to enlarge) |
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Michael
Hadar(lost with the Dakar) hoists the Israeli Navy ensign on the Leviathan
as the British goes down (4.1.1965)
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Flag
officer of the British submarine flotilla Rear Admiral Mc Geogh and
Admiral Yochai Ben-Nun CIC of the Israeli Navy at the ceremony of transfering
the Totem/Dakar to Israel. 23rd June 1965
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At
the beginning of May 1967 the refit of the Leviathan was completed and
she sailed to Scotland for build up training, sea and dive trials.
As the winds of war started to blow in the middle east, the Commander
of the Leviathan, LC Zeev Almog was orderd equip the submarine with
12 torpedos and rush home. The Leviathan left Scotland on the 25th of
May 1967. On their way home, in the Irish Sea, Two submariners were
lost. Yaacov Tamir and Gershon Ben-Yehuda were washed
into the sea after working on deck in the middle of the night. All attempts
to find them failed. The corpse of Yaacov Tamir was found 3 weeks later
on the Irish coast. Leviathan arrived at Haifa on the 12th of June 1967.
One day after the end of Six Days War.
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Leviathan
leaves Portsmouth for Scotland, May 1967
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LCD
Zeev Almog, Skipper of the Leviathan photographed in Scotland, just
before the long voyage to Israel
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Totem
received the Hebrew name of Dakar and Truncheon became INS Dolphin.
Work on the Dakar continued with the boat scheduled to depart Portsmouth
in early 1968. Dolphin was planned to leave few days after Dakar, as
her refit to be undertaken in Israel. Enroute
from Portsmouth to Haifa contact with Dakar was lost. (See different section) As Dolphin departed shortly after
and took part in the search after her missing sister submarine. Dolphin
entered Haifa on 5th February 1968, with the Dakar still
missing. As the arrival of third submarine was not widely known, the
entrance of the Dolphin caused a wave of rumors that the Dakar had safely
arrived. After the mix-up had been cleared up, the disappointment and
grief grew. Still, five families had a reason to cheer and celebrate
as their sons were transferred from Dakar to Dolphin shortly before
departure.
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A
rare picture of 4 submarines at Haifa port. Picture must have been taken
on February 1968. From left to right: Rahav, Leviathan, Dolphin and
Tanin
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INS
Leviathan cross proudly the bay of Haifa
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After
the loss of the Dakar, as the cause of her loss was unknown,
restrictions limited the use and performances of her sister submarines.
Nevertheless, both submarines took an important part in the War of Attrition,
that followed the Six Days War. They were sent on many surveillance
and other still top secret missions, deep into enemies waters.
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Sea/Air
operations
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On
the periscope LCD Israel Leshem
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A
view from the Helicopter
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However,
when the Yom Kippur War started on October 1973, the Leviathan was not
allowed to dive anymore and the Dolphin was dismantled on the dry dock
at Haifa. It was the Swan Song of the "T" class submarines with the
Israeli Navy. Leviathan was decommissioned in 1973 and the Dolphin in
August 1975. Leviathan was used as a target for an improved torpedo
and the Dolphin was towed to the northern coast of Sinai and was used
as a pier. The era of the "T" class submarines ended.
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| General
Characteristics
Displacement: Approx. 1700 metric tons submerged, 1505 on the surface Length: 89.5 meters Crew: 67 Armament: Six torpedo 21 inches tubes forward Speed:
15.25 knots on the surface, 15 knots submerged |
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