Carvalho Araujo

José Botelho de Carvalho Araújo was born at 18 of May from 1881 in Oporto city where he lived in his childhood. He is an example of an illustrious citzen that haven’t borned in Vila Real although his parents are.
Between 1897 and 1899 Carvalho Araujo incorporate at Portuguese Navy where he start an excellent military carrer. After some years he married with lady Ester Ferreira de Abreu with whom he built a family.
Carvalho Araujo tooked the sea as his profession, and during his career he was instructed of to many missions and services provided on board from different vessels, like the famous Vasco da Gama.
He has accomplished an enviable mission in Mozambique as governor of inhambane where he stays to command ‘’ Augusto de Castilho ‘’ with the mission to patrol since Island of Açores to Island of Madeira.
In a card to his wife, the last one that Carvalho de Araujo could write, he tells that before his arrival to Island of Madeira he had found some problems at the sea that forced them to be 10 days in a quarantine.
Unfortunately in the morning 14 of October , his seventh son birthday, appears a German Submarine ‘’ U – 139 ‘’ that attacks his boat on board ‘’ São Miguel ‘’. It was an unequal fight, and Carvalho de Araujo dies on boat, without left the boat, it makes him even in our days like a hero to Portuguese people at the First World War.

Curiosities

Carvalho de Araujo was born by accident in the port city, parish of São Nicolau, where his parents moved under pressure due to the weak health of his maternal grandmother;

Dona Ester Ferreira de Abreu, the wife of Carvalho de Araújo, she was also his cousin too.

The matrimonial ceremony of the couple occurred at 5 in the morning because of the aversion of notoriety.

In the wedding seat of Carvalho Araújo, there appears an indication, somewhat unusual that says '' Resident of this young age, in Vila Real ''. Did Carvalho Araujo wish to assert his status as a native of Vila Real?’’

Carvalho Araujo's life revolved around the love for his city (Vila Real) that he will never forget, and the love, almost obsessive for his family, love of republican ideals, and his work.

Mrs. Ester Ferreira de Abreu, for all the years of her husband's absence, made a collection of postcards which she sent to them during the working days.