Madeira History - Funchal Shelled

Madeira did not escape the violent consequences of World War I.

On 3rd December 1916, a German U-boat, class 38, sunk the French gunboat, Surprise (680 tons), moored off Funchal. The cable vessel, Dacia (1,856 tons) and a French auxiliary vessel, Kanguroo (2,403 tons), were also torpedoed and sunk.

It is reported that the commander of the Surprise and 34 of her crew died in the attack. 7 Portuguese citizens manning the Kanguroo and Dacia were also said to have died.

The Dacia, a cable laying vessel, had previously undertaken war work off the coast of Casablanca and Dakar. It was owned by India Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Company London, England. The French vessels Surprise and Kanguroo were her armed escort and support respectively.

Following the attack on the ships, the German submarine then proceeded to bombard Funchal for two hours from a range of about 2 miles. The English cable station was a main target along with other public buildings in the city.

On shore batteries returned fire and eventually "forced the enemy to withdraw". Although, the latter comment may be enthusiastic war propaganda; it is likely that the U-boat withdrew because it's captain had decided that their job was done.

1917 Memorial and Subsequent Attack

On 3rd December 1917, a memorial ceremony was held at Sé Cathedral to mark the first anniversary of the attack on Funchal.

A commemorative monument, designed by the Funchal born sculptor laureate Francisco Franco de Sousa, was commissioned especially for the event. The monument was largely due to the efforts and finances of banker Henrique Vieira de Castro, along with public donations.

The monument was installed at the entrance to the Cemitério das Angústias - then, the main Portuguese cemetery serving Funchal and attached to the Chapel of Santa Catarina. This was the resting place of the attack victims of the previous year. (The cemetery grounds now form part of the Santa Catarina Park.)

Just nine days later, on 12th December 1917, two German U-boats again bombarded Funchal. This time the attack lasted between 20 or 30 minutes. Forty, 4.7 inch and 5.9 inch shells were fired. It was reported that there were 3 fatalities and 17 wounded, In addition, a number of houses and Santa Clara church were hit.

Repatriation of the French Victims

On 28th November 1921, the mortal remains of the French sailors killed during the attack on the gunboat Surprise were repatriated.

Mass was celebrated in the Santa Catarina Chapel, adjacent to the Cemitério das Angústias. In attendance was the Civil Governor of Funchal, military dignitaries from both Madeira and France and a French sailor Guard of Honour. On the chapel walls, two life-buoys were hung with the inscription: Surprise 3-12-1916

Ten coffins, bedecked with ferns and other plants, carrying the mortal remains of the French sailors, were then conveyed in a procession to the Pontinha. Here, the French cruiser, the Jules Michelet, took formal custody of the remains whilst the Marseillaise was played by the band of the 27th Infantry Regiment.

The procession from the cemetery to the port was an appropriately solemn affair, the entire formation being some 1 mile in length. Those participating included representatives of the Madeiran Republican Guard, the Funchal Fire fighters Band, the local Civil Police, the port's Customs staff, the local Judicial profession, English and French military officers, local doctors, high school teachers with their pupils, scouts and local sports associations.

The cruiser, Jules Michelet, departed Funchal at 7:30pm that evening, heading for Brest.

Remembering the Portuguese Victims

On 3rd December 1921, a Mass was held in the Santa Catarina Chapel for the Portuguese victims of the 1916 attack.

At 3:00pm on that day, 3 funeral urns, holding the mortal remains of the Portuguese citizens, were taken from the chapel to be laid to rest at the special monument erected in 1917 to commemorate the event.

Again, civil and military dignitaries were present as was the 27th Infantry Regiment Band. The Portuguese National Anthem being played at fitting moments of the ceremony.

As the mortal remains were laid to rest, a force of infantry and other Republican Guard gave a military salute.

Throughout the day, public buildings and consulates flew their flags at half mast. Many businesses, throughout the city, closed for the duration of the ceremony.

Terreiro da Luta Senhora do Monte Monument

After the second attack on Funchal in December 1917, the local inhabitants vowed that, should peace ever return to the island, they would erect a monument to Senhora do Monte - Our Lady of the Mount - as a thanksgiving.

Accordingly, in 1927, the construction at Terreiro da Luta was completed and inaugurated.

The five metre high marble statue is the largest monument on Madeira. It stands on a pedestal constructed of pebbles and fragments of local rock just about 2 kilometres from the more famous church at Monte dedicated to Our Lady of the Mount.

CS Dacia Information

All photos of the CS Dacia that appear on this page are used by kind permission of the Atlantic-Cable.com website.

For detailed information please visit the CS Dacia webpage at Atlantic-Cable.com

Madeira Features

Climate

Madeira Island has a number of micro climates.

The south coast is predominantly warm and sunny.

Venture just a little inland and the higher altitude means that the temperature cools rapidly - especially during the winter months.

To reach the central plateau and inland mountainous region, you often need to travel along roads shrouded in clouds.

The north coast is usually cooler and wetter than the south coast.

Timeshare Touts Video

If you walk around Funchal Hotel District or along the seafront promenade, you are likely to be approached by timeshare agents.

Timeshare touts are not prohibited in public places in Madeira, however there is a suggested code of conduct.

Accordingly, timeshare representatives are expected to refrain from aggressive or harassing behaviour toward tourists.

Unfortunately, there is a small minority of touts who are a little too enthusiastic when it comes to attempting to convince holidaymakers of those ever-so-wonderful-gee-whizz timeshare properties that they have to offer.

So, take some time out and enjoy our video that shows 3 minutes in the life of a, not so successful, timeshare tout.