The fishermen were accustomed to cast their nets over this particular area of fish off Tripoli. This intrigued Walid Noshie because divers know, fish are attracted by wrecks. Walid therefore decided to explore it with his team of the NISD. After four failed attempts, due to poor visibility and currents, one day per 60 meters deep, an elongated shadow loomed before the astonished eyes of the divers.
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Incredible, the shadow of a wreck. First look: 25 meters long, probably a ship of World War II…“Built in Le Havre in 1934,” says a plaque on this warship torpedo-carrier.
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On the rudder still visible, algaes and tiny shells are encrusted.
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Sad irony: the anchor still hangs on the side of the ship.
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Rust and erosion have shaped artistically holes like oriental windows.The most impressive is to suddenly find yourself”immersed” in the past, history, World War II, in front of the gaping hole that mutilates this ship probably sunk by the Allies.
Door leading by four stairs inside the ship. Before venturing, an experienced diver must first explore the area.
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The engine room
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The gap that partially lifts the veil on the mystery of the ship. It was indeed sunk by an aerial bomb during the Battle of the Levant…If we are sure that the ship has been sunk, we do ignore the name of the ship, its mission, the number of its unfortunate crew…and survivors.
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The shock was the discovery of torpedoes, twelve in all, witnesses of a futile war.
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A torpedo which the primer is still visible in the center.
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Silhouette of a ripped torpedo, lit by flash.
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We venture even further, looking for a significant detail, an index … After the overview, and after crossing the engine room, wheelhouse, and the steering room, we look trying to pick who knows, debris, remnants …
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The propeller of a torpedo, the most disturbing finding…But many parts of the ship remain unidentified.Other dives will try to uncover the secret. Our thanks to the NISD team, George Massaad, Randa Daher for these exclusive photos. We will keep you informed of the outcome of this exciting discovery.
