Janko Vuković-Podkapelski

Janko Vuković-Podkapelski

Janko Mihovil Aleksandar pl. Vuković Podkapelski (born September 27, 1871 in Jezerane , Austria-Hungary , † November 1, 1918 in Pula , state of the Slovenes, Croats and Serbs ) was an Austro-Hungarian naval officer and rear admiral in the navy of the state of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. He was killed in the sinking of the fleet flagship SMS Viribus Unitis in the port of Pula because he did not want to leave his sinking ship.

Life

Janko Vuković attended the Naval Academy in Fiume and, after successfully retiring from service, served in various positions in the Austro-Hungarian Navy . In 1915 he was promoted to captain of the liner . He was in command of the liner SMS Babenberg , the rapid cruiser SMS Admiral Spaun and the fleet flagship SMS Viribus Unitis .

When, on the orders of Emperor Charles, the fleet was to be handed over by Vice Admiral Horthy to the South Slavic National Council, Janko Vuković entered the service of the National Council and became the new fleet commander. In this capacity he took over the previous Austro-Hungarian Navy as the Navy of the State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes . In a solemn ceremony on October 31, 1918, the Austro-Hungarian naval flag was lowered forever and the Croatian flag was hoisted on the ships.

Vukovič informed the warring powers that the new South Slav state did not consider itself to be at war. This announcement was ignored by Italy , which had no interest in a new sea power on the eastern shore of the Adriatic. Italian combat swimmers attached mines to the fleet flagship Viribus Unitis and sank it.

According to tradition, Rear Admiral Janko Vuković-Podkapelski stayed on board his sinking ship and died in the port of Pula.

Today a plaque commemorates him in the harbor.