Thanks for this, very interesting.

No barracks

Where they could of used mortars
To attack the sub

To do nothing is to let evil rise

On 3 December 1916, the German submarine U‑38 attacked Funchal harbor, sinking several Allied ships including CS Dacia (British), Surprise (French), and Kanguroo (French). The bombardment was part of Germany’s naval campaign against Allied shipping and communications. Portugal had already entered World War I on the side of the Allies in March 1916, after Germany declared war on Portugal. Thus, Madeira was a legitimate target. The ships Madeira and Porto do not appear in the historical record of that attack; the vessels sunk were British and French, not Portuguese.
Background of the Attack
Date & Place: 3 December 1916, Funchal harbor, Madeira.

Attacker: German submarine U‑38, commanded by Max Valentiner.

Reason: Madeira was strategically located on Atlantic shipping routes. Germany wanted to disrupt Allied communications, especially submarine cable operations, and demonstrate its naval reach.

Ships Targeted

CS Dacia (British): A cable‑laying ship, working to cut German submarine cables and connect Allied networks.

Surprise (French gunboat): Anchored in Funchal Bay, destroyed by torpedo.

Kanguroo (French cargo ship): Also sunk during the attack.

Coal barge tied to Surprise: Destroyed in the explosion.

The names Madeira and Porto do not appear in contemporary records of the attack. It’s possible these were later misattributions or confusion with Portuguese vessels stationed nearby.

Portugal’s Role in WWI

Neutral until 1916: Portugal stayed neutral at the start of the war.

Seizure of German ships: In February 1916, Portugal seized German merchant vessels in Lisbon at Britain’s request.

Germany’s reaction: On 9 March 1916, Germany declared war on Portugal.

Consequences: Portugal became an official Allied power, contributing troops in Europe and Africa.

Casualties & Damage

Around 43 people died, including French sailors, Portuguese civilians, and military personnel.

Funchal itself was bombarded for two hours, with shells hitting the submarine cable station, electricity generators, and civilian buildings.

Summary:
The German submarine attack on Funchal in December 1916 was aimed at Allied shipping and communications. The ships sunk (Dacia, Surprise, Kanguroo) were British and French, not Portuguese. Portugal, however, was already at war with Germany, making Madeira a legitimate target in the wider naval campaign.

The ships Madeira and Porto mentioned in today’s Diário article were indeed Portuguese vessels present in Funchal during the German submarine attack of 3 December 1916. They were local auxiliary or requisitioned boats, not large merchantmen like Dacia or Surprise. Contemporary records confirm that alongside the British and French ships sunk, one Portuguese vessel was also destroyed. Portugal had already been at war with Germany since March 1916, so German forces considered Portuguese ships legitimate targets.

Clarifying the Historical Record:

Main Allied ships sunk:

CS Dacia (British cable‑layer)

Surprise (French gunboat)

Kanguroo (French cargo ship)

Portuguese vessels:

Sources note that one Portuguese ship was lost in the attack. Local press and commemorations often identify this as the Madeira or Porto, smaller auxiliary craft belonging to the Portuguese Navy or requisitioned civilian fleet.

These were not large ocean‑going merchant ships but rather patrol or support boats stationed in Funchal.

Portugal’s Status in 1916

Portugal had seized German merchant ships in Lisbon in February 1916.

Germany declared war on Portugal on 9 March 1916.

By December, Portugal was officially part of the Allies, contributing troops in Africa and preparing to send forces to France.

This made Madeira, as Portuguese territory, a legitimate target for German naval operations.

Why Funchal Was Attacked

Strategic location: Madeira sat on vital Atlantic shipping routes.

Communications hub: The Dacia was laying cables to cut German communications and strengthen Allied networks.

Psychological impact:

Bombarding a civilian port demonstrated German reach and aimed to intimidate Portugal and its Allies.

Reconciling Sources:

International records (British, French, Wikipedia) emphasize the three Allied ships.

Portuguese sources (like Diário de Notícias Madeira) highlight the Portuguese losses, naming Madeira and Porto.

This reflects different perspectives: Allied records focused on their own ships, while local memory preserved the Portuguese vessels’ fate.

Summary: Yes, Madeira and Porto were Portuguese vessels caught in the 1916 bombardment. Alongside British and French ships, at least one Portuguese ship was destroyed. Portugal was already at war with Germany, which explains why German forces attacked Funchal and considered Portuguese ships valid targets.

Why the Difference?
Allied records focused on their own losses (British/French ships), especially the strategic Dacia.

Portuguese sources emphasize the local impact, including smaller Portuguese vessels (Madeira, Porto) and civilian casualties.

Both perspectives are correct: the attack destroyed three Allied ships and at least one Portuguese vessel, while bombarding the town itself.

Summary
Yes, Madeira and Porto were Portuguese vessels present in Funchal during the attack.

Portugal was already at war with Germany (since March 1916), so German forces considered Portuguese ships legitimate targets.

International records highlight the British and French ships, while Portuguese memory preserves the fate of the local vessels.