The discovery of the ship's remains at a depth of 503 meters off the Israeli coast closes a painful historical circle and has reignited interest in the affair that rocked the fledgling state.
Here are ten facts about the Altalena:
- A literary pen name: The name "Altalena" (Italian for "swing") was the pen name used by Ze'ev Jabotinsky, founder of the Revisionist Zionist movement.
- American military origins: The vessel was originally an American Navy tank landing ship (LST-138) that participated in World War II operations.
- Secret purchase: The ship was acquired covertly in the United States during the summer of 1947 by members of the Irgun (Etzel), the pre-state underground organization.
- An army's worth of cargo: The ship carried approximately 930 immigrants and fighters, along with roughly 5,000 rifles, 4 million bullets, hundreds of machine guns, and extensive medical supplies.
- Violation of the ceasefire: The vessel sailed from France during the "First Truce" of Israel's War of Independence, a timing that placed the young state at risk of United Nations censure.
- First stop at Kfar Vitkin: Unloading of cargo and passengers began at Kfar Vitkin beach before the ship continued south toward Tel Aviv.
- The order not to return fire: Menachem Begin, who boarded the vessel, forcibly prevented Irgun fighters from effectively returning fire in order to avoid a civil war between Jews.
- The controversial cannon: The artillery piece that fired the shell which set the ship ablaze was later given the disputed nickname "The Holy Cannon" by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.
- Sank twice: The ship did not sink immediately on the day of the bombardment; it remained beached off Tel Aviv until it was towed out and deliberately sunk a year later.
- The underwater grave located: After decades of search attempts, the ship was located Monday intact on the seabed thanks to advanced mapping technologies.
