Wednesday, March 14, 2012

World War I's SMS Cormoran II

From Wikepedia.

It was the German raider Kormoran that sank the HMAS Sydney in World War II.

The Cormoran was originally built by Germany for use in the Russian merchant fleet under the name Rjasan before being captured by the German light cruiser SMS Emden at the onset of World War I in 1914. It was taken to Tsingtao, China and converted into an armored merchant ship raider and named SMS Cormoran II.

Leaving that place in August, the Cormoran sailed through the South Pacific pursued by Japanese warships before pulling into Apra Harbor, Guam with just 50 tond of coal remaining. Increasing bad relations between Germany and the US caused Guam's military governor to refuse recoal and a stand-off occurred with the Cormoran essentially in internment.

At the outbreak of war between Germany and the US April 7, 1917, the Cormoran's captain had her scuttled. Nine crew died and were buried on Guam with full honors. The remainder were sent to Fort Douglas in Utah as prisoners and later went back home in 1919.

Of interest, the Cormoran lies 110 feet deep in Apra Harbor on its port side. The Japanese merchant ship Tokai Maru was sunk by the US submarine Snapper (SS-185) and is right next to the Cormoran, one of the few places you can find a World War I and a World War II ship together.

Side By Side. --Cooter

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