The War Begins: US Navy vs German Cruiser Cormoran

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Questions and Answers

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?

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?

500 tons

200 tons (correct)

1,000 tons

1,500 tons

Under which international law condition was Cormoran required to leave Guam?

It had to intern after twenty-four hours. Signup and view all the answers

What did the internment agreement allow Cormoran to retain?

Operational ship machinery. Signup and view all the answers

What event signaled the change in status of the Cormoran and its crew on April 7, 1917?

The declaration of war between the United States and Germany. Signup and view all the answers

What historical context leads to the setting of the Cormoran's situation?

The onset of World War I. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Captain Roy C. Smith in the situation regarding the Cormoran?

He was the American military governor on Guam. Signup and view all the answers

What action did Lt. W.A. Hall take when he encountered a small boat from Cormoran?

He fired across the bow to capture it. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event does the shooting at the German launch represent?

The first American shot fired in the conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Which ship was Lt. W.A. Hall designated to take control of after the German surrender?

Cormoran Signup and view all the answers

What prevented the Americans from immediately capturing Cormoran after the initial confrontation?

The German captain refused to surrender the ship. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Germans respond after American officers left the Cormoran?

They activated an explosive device on board. Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of Cormoran shortly after it erupted?

It sank after an explosion. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome resulted from the first shots fired between the U.S. and Germany during this incident?

First German prisoners of war captured Signup and view all the answers

Which action demonstrated kindness and humanity from the U.S. Navy during the incident?

Rescue of German sailors from the water Signup and view all the answers

What role did Lt. Owen Bartlett play in the encounter with Cormoran?

He represented the governor and met with the German captain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial intent of Lt. W.A. Hall's mission in encountering the Cormoran?

To prevent Germans from fleeing the harbor. Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for giving the orders to pick up survivors immediately after the incident?

Cmdr. Owen Bartlett Signup and view all the answers

What was one effect of Zuchschweldt ordering the destruction of the Cormoran's launch engine?

It was perceived as an act of sabotage by American forces. Signup and view all the answers

What does the incident at Guam reveal about the United States' initial approach to the war?

The U.S. displayed reluctance yet compassion. Signup and view all the answers

Which event is highlighted as part of the first violence between the U.S. and Germany?

First shots exchanged between U.S. and German forces Signup and view all the answers

What was the total number of survivors rescued from the cruiser during the incident?

363 Signup and view all the answers

What incident occurred involving a Marine sentry during the destruction of the launch engine?

He prevented another Marine from shooting. Signup and view all the answers

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!