Cpl. Nimrod Drori

לזכרו

The Dakar was finally found on the 26th exploratory mission in May 1999, 500 kilometers (310 miles or 270 sea miles) away from the shores of Israel, on the bed of the Mediterranean, in 2,900 meters of waters (9,514 feet).

What happened to Dakar? After the finding of the Dakar, and about a year after the salvage of the bridge, the mystery of the INS Dakar was solved. We will never know exactly what has happened on the night between the 24th and the 25th of January 1968, but according to what was found we can get as close to the truth as possible:

1. It happened between midnight and 3am. The boat was traveling at a speed of 8.5 knots, submerged, snorkeling and in direct drive.

2. In direct drive the diesel engines not only charge the batteries but also turn the 2 propellers.

3. For an unknown reason a minor leak of water starts at one of the forward sections. This leak of water impairs the balance of the submarine and she loses her trim.

4. Because of the speed momentum the submarine goes into a steep, fast dive. The fact that the diesels are engaged with the electrical motors prevents an "all backward" maneuver which might have avoided the tragedy that followed.

5. Within 30 seconds the Dakar reaches it's crash depth and starts to implode.

6. The implosion happens fast and rips all along the hull with a tremendous power. The death of the boat and her crew is instant, fast and violent.

7. During the implosion the stern emergency buoy breaks loose and makes its way to the surface. However, it drags along with it the 600 ft long steel cable and a heavy pulley. The weight of the cable and the pulley prevent the buoy from surfacing completely.

8. The Dakar, imploded and broken up, continues her dive to the depths of the Mediterranean. Within 10-15 minuets she reaches the bottom of the sea and crashes with a huge impact. The crash separates the hull between the engine room and the stern compartment. This causes the broken stern to fly forward and land near the conning tower. Heavy parts fly in all directions, a huge cloud of sand rises for a long time, and when it settles down the deep silence dominates again the eternal silence of the sea.