Today, 104 years have passed since the attack by the German submarine S.M. U-38 on the anchorage and the city of Funchal, following the First World War. At about 8:30 am on Sunday, December 3, 1916, First Lieutenant Max Valentiner ordered the torpedoing of three of the various ships at anchor in Funchal’s bay, namely the French National Navy gunboat “Surprise”, the French submarines “Kanguroo” and also the British freighter / cable launcher Dacia, who was on a secret mission to cut German submarine cables and their connection to the French network. After the sinking of these vessels, the German submarine bombed the city of Funchal for two hours, aiming at the submarine cable station and the electricity generators, as well as the artillery batteries from “Quinta Vigia” and “Forte de São Tiago”, which were looking for hit (unsuccessfully) the U-38. Due to the sea agitation and the distance that the German vessel was (about 7 thousand meters), the targets suffered little damage, however, there were several collateral damages on civil buildings downtown Funchal. In addition to material damage, 43 people were mourned, including 33 “Surprise” crew members, 6 coal carriers who are on a supply vessel owned by the Blandy’s firm, 1 employee of the same company and 3 military personnel who were positioned on the battery of the “Quinta Vigia”.

Credits:Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente's.

 PERESTRELLOS PHOTOGRAPHOS | 1916-12-03

Steam "S.S.Dacia", at the time of the explosion, during the bombing of the city of Funchal
11 x 16 cm | Simple negative, glass | Silver salt gelatin
MFM-AV, Inv. PER / 3019;

 

"Kangoroo" steam sinking during the bombing of Funchal
8.8 x 13.9 cm | Simple negative, glass | Silver salt gelatin
MFM-AV, Inv. PER / 3020;