heading to her base in Cagliari, when already in view of the Sardinian coast she was spotted by the Dutch submarine HNLMS Dolfijn in the morning of February 9, 1943. At approximately 11:00, HNMS Dolfijn launched a salvo of 4 torpedoes at Malachite. The Italian submarine managed to avoid three of them by deftly maneuvering, but the fourth one hit her on the stern, and she sank within a minute, taking down 35 crew with her. Commander Cinti, three other officers, and nine NCOs and sailors managed to escape. The wreck of Malachite was located in September 1999 at a depth of 117 to 124 meters. Notes References Perla-class submarines World War II submarines of Italy Lost submarines of Italy Maritime incidents in February 1943 World War II shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea 1936 ships Ships built by OTO Melara Ships built in La Spezia Ships sunk by Dutch submarines Submarines sunk by submarines