The Sinking Of Ex TCG Zafer
2 Jun 2016 2 Comments
Turkish Navy concluded Beyaz Fırtına (White Storm) 2016 Naval exercise on 28 May 2016. During this exercise the hull of the decommissioned Knox class frigate ex USS Thomas C. Hart and ex TCG Zafer was used as a target. The torpedo is believed to be DM2A4
Ex TCG Zafer being towed in Çanakkale Strait on 30 April 2016. Photo: Murad Sezer. I thought that the she was being towed to the ship breakers in Aliağa. But her fate was different.
These are official Turkish Navy photos taken from a helicopter during the sinking of ex- TCG Zafer. The shape of the hull is not much different compared to the photo taken in Çanakkale. This indicates that she was not hit by any other weapons or missiles. This photo shows the initial explosion of a torpedo warhead under the keel of the ship. The force of the explosion lifts the ship up.
The shock wave of the detonation travels through the hull of the ship creating further damage. The ship is broken in two and is lost.
The fracture line going from port to the starboard side of the ship can be seen just below the funnel.
Water ingress through the fracture, separates the two halves and they begin to sink.
It’s time to say goodby to a ship that faithfully served both U.S and Turkish Navies.
turkishnavy.net 
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Sad end to a fine vessel, I sailed many miles on her……