The immortal naval combat of Augusto de Castilho
In the context of the First World War, on October 14, 1918, a naval combat took place between the Patrol de Alto Mar Augusto Castilho and a German submarine, the U-139
José Botelho de Carvalho Araújo was an officer in the Navy who, after taking part in several military expeditions, died in combat on October 14, 1918. He was born in Porto, in the parish of São Nicolau, on May 18, 1880, coming from a Vila Real family. He entered the Naval School as a midshipman on October 12, 1889, being promoted to midshipman on October 29, 1903.
It provided service to ships such as the frigate Dom Fernando II and Glória, the corvette Duque da Terceira, cruisers Vasco da Gama, Adamastor and S. Rafael, gunboats Zambeze, Liberal, Diu and Lúrio, the tugboat Bérrio and the transport Salvador Correia. As First Lieutenant, he was assigned the command of Augusto Castilho, officially classified as a high-sea patrol, whose mission was to patrol the routes of liners to the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.
Aboard the Corvette Duque da Terceira, José Botelho de Carvalho Araújo is the second from left to right.
Officers Group. From left to right: Midshipman Samuel da Conceição Vieira; 1TEN José Botelho de Carvalho Araújo, Commander; Midshipman Manuel Armando Penas, First Officer; Midshipman Carlos Eloi da Mota e Freitas.
On October 14, 1918, at 6 am, the Augusto Castilho, escorting the steamer San Miguel, was attacked by the submarine cruiser U-139 with which it fought unequally for almost two hours until the ammunition ran out, in defense of the escorting ship, allowing the escape of the steamer San Miguel and the salvation of those who were on board.
O Submarino Alemão U.139 (1918)Biblioteca Central de Marinha
The German submarine cruiser U-139, was 335 feet (102 m) long, had a displacement of 1,930 tons on the surface and 2,483 in immersion, reaching a speed of 16 knots on the surface. Manned with 80 men, she was armed with six torpedo tubes, 25 torpedoes and two 150 mm Krupp pieces.
Augusto Castilho in combat, shot by the submarine with 15 cm artillery
Effects of the combat fought with the submarine U.139
Effects of the combat fought with the submarine U.139
The commander of Augusto Castilho died in combat, along with another 5 men from his garrison of 47, and another 17 men were wounded.
Commander of the U.139 Kapt. V. Arnauld de la Perière
Letter written by the Commander of U.139, Kapt. V. Arnauld de la Perière, to Peter Ernst Eiffe, on naval combat
report sent to the interim command of the maritime defense of the Azores by the naval guard Armando Ferraz, on the naval combat
Died in this fight:
First Lieutenant José Botelho de Carvalho Araújo
Aspirant Carlos Eloy da Mota Freitas
1st telegraph sailor Elísio Martins da Nova
2nd telegraph sailor Manuel da Cruz Branco
2nd Fireman Manuel Joaquim Oliveira
Arrival Manuel Tomé
For his action in combat, Carvalho Araújo, was promoted to Captain-Lieutenant by distinction (posthumously).
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