Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum facts for kids

The Israeli National Maritime Museum (top) and the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum (bottom)

INS Mivtach, a retired ship on display at the museum.

INS Gal, a retired submarine on display at the museum.

The Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum is a cool history museum in Haifa, Israel. It's also known by its Hebrew name, Hebrew: מוזיאון ההעפלה וחיל הים ע"ש דוד הכהן‎. This museum tells the story of Israel's history at sea. It shows how people secretly came to Israel before it became a country. It also covers the exciting history of the Israeli navy from its very start.

The museum is named after David HaCohen. He was an important leader for the Jewish community in Israel long ago. Colonel Yoske Coral started the museum. It first opened its doors to visitors in 1969. Today, the Israeli Ministry of Defense helps run the museum. It is right next to the Israeli National Maritime Museum. That museum focuses on ancient sea history and old artifacts.

What You Can See at the Museum

This museum has many interesting things to explore. You can see parts of real ships and submarines. These exhibits help tell Israel's naval story.

Submarines and Ships on Display

The museum shows parts of the INS Dakar. This was an Israeli submarine that went missing in 1968. Its wreckage was found many years later in 1999.

You can also see several real ships and submarines. They are on permanent display for everyone to visit:

• INS Mivtach: This was a fast missile boat. It is a Sa'ar 2-class missile boat.
• INS Gal: This is a real submarine. It is a Gal-class submarine.
• INS Af Al Pi Chen: This ship was used for secret immigration. It was built during World War II.
• INS Dabur: This was the very first Dabur-class patrol boat.
• A P 4-class torpedo boat: This boat was captured from Egypt in 1973.

Special Historical Items

The museum also displays unique items from a historical event. You can see the steering wheel and bell from a motor torpedo boat. This boat was called MTB-203. It was involved in an event with the USS Liberty in 1967.

One of the three lifeboats from the USS Liberty is also on display. These items help tell the story of that time.

See also

• List of museums in Israel