Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary reason S.M.S. Cormoran sought refuge in Apra harbor?
What was the primary reason S.M.S. Cormoran sought refuge in Apra harbor?
- It was under attack from enemy ships.
- It was chasing a merchant vessel.
- It was running short of coal. (correct)
- It needed repairs after a battle.
Which action did Captain Zuckschwerdt of the Cormoran ultimately decide to take when faced with the option to leave or intern?
Which action did Captain Zuckschwerdt of the Cormoran ultimately decide to take when faced with the option to leave or intern?
- He chose to leave immediately.
- He opted for internment. (correct)
- He resigned his commission.
- He attempted to negotiate more coal.
What was the limit of coal provided to Cormoran by the American commander?
What was the limit of coal provided to Cormoran by the American commander?
- 500 tons
- 200 tons (correct)
- 1,000 tons
- 1,500 tons
Under which international law condition was Cormoran required to leave Guam?
Under which international law condition was Cormoran required to leave Guam?
What did the internment agreement allow Cormoran to retain?
What did the internment agreement allow Cormoran to retain?
What event signaled the change in status of the Cormoran and its crew on April 7, 1917?
What event signaled the change in status of the Cormoran and its crew on April 7, 1917?
What historical context leads to the setting of the Cormoran's situation?
What historical context leads to the setting of the Cormoran's situation?
What was the role of Captain Roy C. Smith in the situation regarding the Cormoran?
What was the role of Captain Roy C. Smith in the situation regarding the Cormoran?
What action did Lt. W.A. Hall take when he encountered a small boat from Cormoran?
What action did Lt. W.A. Hall take when he encountered a small boat from Cormoran?
What significant event does the shooting at the German launch represent?
What significant event does the shooting at the German launch represent?
Which ship was Lt. W.A. Hall designated to take control of after the German surrender?
Which ship was Lt. W.A. Hall designated to take control of after the German surrender?
What prevented the Americans from immediately capturing Cormoran after the initial confrontation?
What prevented the Americans from immediately capturing Cormoran after the initial confrontation?
How did the Germans respond after American officers left the Cormoran?
How did the Germans respond after American officers left the Cormoran?
What was the fate of Cormoran shortly after it erupted?
What was the fate of Cormoran shortly after it erupted?
What outcome resulted from the first shots fired between the U.S. and Germany during this incident?
What outcome resulted from the first shots fired between the U.S. and Germany during this incident?
Which action demonstrated kindness and humanity from the U.S. Navy during the incident?
Which action demonstrated kindness and humanity from the U.S. Navy during the incident?
What role did Lt. Owen Bartlett play in the encounter with Cormoran?
What role did Lt. Owen Bartlett play in the encounter with Cormoran?
What was the initial intent of Lt. W.A. Hall's mission in encountering the Cormoran?
What was the initial intent of Lt. W.A. Hall's mission in encountering the Cormoran?
Who was responsible for giving the orders to pick up survivors immediately after the incident?
Who was responsible for giving the orders to pick up survivors immediately after the incident?
What was one effect of Zuchschweldt ordering the destruction of the Cormoran's launch engine?
What was one effect of Zuchschweldt ordering the destruction of the Cormoran's launch engine?
What does the incident at Guam reveal about the United States' initial approach to the war?
What does the incident at Guam reveal about the United States' initial approach to the war?
Which event is highlighted as part of the first violence between the U.S. and Germany?
Which event is highlighted as part of the first violence between the U.S. and Germany?
What was the total number of survivors rescued from the cruiser during the incident?
What was the total number of survivors rescued from the cruiser during the incident?
What incident occurred involving a Marine sentry during the destruction of the launch engine?
What incident occurred involving a Marine sentry during the destruction of the launch engine?
Flashcards
American response to Cormoran survivors
American response to Cormoran survivors
American naval personnel quickly rescued almost all of the approximately 370 German sailors from the cruiser Cormoran and displayed compassion amidst the wartime events.
First violence of the war (location)
First violence of the war (location)
The encounter at Guam was the first instance of violence between the United States and Germany during World War II, resulting in the first German casualties.
First German POWs by US forces
First German POWs by US forces
The encounter at Guam resulted in the first German prisoners of war captured by the US forces.
Initial act of kindness in the US-German encounter
Initial act of kindness in the US-German encounter
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Cormoran's launch engine destruction
Cormoran's launch engine destruction
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Marine sentry's intervention attempt
Marine sentry's intervention attempt
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Preventing bloodshed (Guam)
Preventing bloodshed (Guam)
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US Naval personnel's quick response (Cormoran)
US Naval personnel's quick response (Cormoran)
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Cormoran's predicament
Cormoran's predicament
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US response to Cormoran
US response to Cormoran
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Internment Agreement
Internment Agreement
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US declaration of war
US declaration of war
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Cormoran's fate after war declaration
Cormoran's fate after war declaration
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International law implications
International law implications
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Capt. Zuckschwerdt's choice
Capt. Zuckschwerdt's choice
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Commerce Raider
Commerce Raider
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USS Supply's Role
USS Supply's Role
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Lt. Hall and the First Shot
Lt. Hall and the First Shot
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Cormoran's Surrender
Cormoran's Surrender
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Cormoran's Explosive Device
Cormoran's Explosive Device
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Cormoran's Crew's Fate
Cormoran's Crew's Fate
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American Compassion
American Compassion
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Study Notes
The War Begins: The United States Navy and the German Cruiser Cormoran
- In December 1914, the German commerce raider Cormoran, a converted Russian passenger liner, sought refuge in Apra Harbor, Guam.
- Cormoran was low on coal and needed supplies, but Guam's limited supply was insufficient, only 200 tons of coal.
- Under international law, Cormoran needed to leave Guam.
- They were allowed to keep their ship's machinery operating and some coal, provided all ship weaponry was unusable and could not attack.
- On April 7, 1917, the US declared war on Germany.
- The US governor of Guam, Captain Roy C. Smith, informed the German captain that Germany and the US were now at war and that the Cormoran and ship's crew were prisoners of war
- The Cormoran's captain refused to hand over the ship, but it was captured.
- The Germans detonated a bomb inside their ship before surrender.
- The US Navy successfully rescued most of the German sailors.
- This initial interaction at Guam between the US and Germany was marked by kindness and humanitarianism, not aggression.
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Description
This quiz delves into the historical encounter between the US Navy and the German cruiser Cormoran in December 1914, leading up to the US declaration of war against Germany in 1917. Explore the details of international law, the ship's predicament in Guam, and the dramatic surrender of the Cormoran. Test your knowledge of this pivotal moment in naval history!
