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Wilhelm Freiherr von Tegetthoff (December 23, 1827 – April 7, 1871) was an Austrian Admiral. Considered one of the prominent naval commanders of the 19th century, Tegetthoff was known for his innovative tactics as well as his inspirational leadership.
Early life and career
Tegetthoff was born in Marburg (Maribor, in present day Slovenia), Styria, in Austria, on 23 December 1827. Entering the Marinecollegium (naval academy) in Venice on 23 July 1845, Tegetthoff was present as a cadet in Venice during the early stages of the Italian Revolution in 1848–1849 before earning a commission on a ship of the line upon his graduation on 16 April 1849. Taking part in the Austrian blockade of Venice from May to August 1849, Tegetthoff was promoted to Lieutenant on 16 June 1851 and to Lieutenant Commander on 16 November 1852. In December 1857 Tegetthoff became a staff officer and was appointed Commander on 27 April 1860. He was promoted to Captain on 23 November 1861, and in 1862 he was given command of the Levant Squadron.
Second war of Schleswig and the Seven Weeks' War
During the Second war of Schleswig, Tegetthoff was given command, in February 1864, of a small Austrian squadron that sailed to the North Sea to support the very weak Prussian naval forces against the superior Danish navy which was blockading northern German ports. He was engaged by a Danish squadron commanded by Edouard Suenson at the Battle of Heligoland, in which Tegetthoff's flagship, the screw frigate Schwarzenberg, caught fire, forcing the Austrians and Prussians to withdraw to neutral waters around the then-British island of Heligoland.
Winning his admiral's flag for his efforts at Helgoland, Tegetthoff was appointed commander-in-chief of the Austro-Hungarian fleet as a Rear Admiral on 9 May 1866, shortly before the war against Italy. Although the Italian fleet was larger and more powerful, Tegetthoff decided to engage it after a successful reconnaissance of the Italian base of Ancona on 27 June 1866.
With their army suffering defeats against the Austrians during the first week of the war from 20 to 27 June 1866, the Italians sought a victory over the Austrian navy by sending their fleet against the Austrian naval base at Lissa, off the coast of Dalmatia near Spàlato (Split) on 16 July 1866. Encountering the Italian fleet early on the morning of 19 July 1866, Tegetthoff sailed straight for the center of the Italian fleet, hoping to ram the ships to make up for his own fleet's lack of firepower. The smoke from the Italian ships made visibility very poor, however, and the Austrians missed the Italian fleet completely. Swinging around, Tegetthoff again charged, this time setting two Italian armored ships on fire and damaging several more.
After Tegetthoff's flagship, the Erzherzog Ferdinand Max, rammed and sank the armored Italian frigate Re d'Italia, the Italian fleet retreated the next day. Tegetthoff returned in triumph to his base at Pola (Pula). Nevertheless, his victory did not materially affect the outcome of the war, as Italy emerged victorious.
Late years
In 1868 Tegetthoff became Chief of the Naval Section in the War Ministry. Despite considerable resistance from the General Staff, he vigorously pursued a complete reform of the Austrian navy.
Tegetthoff died suddenly from pneumonia at the age of 43, in Trieste, on 7 April 1871.
See also
- Austro-Hungarian Navy — the Navy following the 1867 Ausgleich, which created the Dual Monarchy
- SMS Tegetthoff — Austro-Hungarian dreadnought battleship
Further reading
- Anthony Sokol, The Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Navy, Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute, 1968.
Notes
- A column with a bronze statue of Tegetthoff on top stands at the Praterstern in Vienna.
1827 births | 1871 deaths | Austrian nobility | Austro-Hungarian Navy officers | Admirals
Wilhelm von Tegetthoff | Wilhelm von Tegetthoff | Wilhelm von Tegetthoff | Vilhelms fon Tegethofs | Wilhelm von Tegetthoff | Вилхелм фон Тегетоф | Wilhelm von Tegetthoff
"Wilhelm von Tegetthoff"