The German merchant raider, SMS CORMORAN, was originally built by German in 1909 for the Russian Volunteer Fleet and named the Rjasan She was used by the Russians as a combination mail, freight, passenger, and cargo hauler throughout the North Pacific.

She was captured by the Germans in 1914 as their first prize of the war with Russia and Japan. The Rjasan was taken to Tsingtao, China and converted to an armed merchant raider and renamed the SMS CORMORAN after the original warship had serious engine failures.

On August 10th the "new" Cormoran left harbor and sailed throughout the south pacific region, spending literally all of her time trying to avoid the larger Japanese battleships that were chasing her all over the pacific. On December 14, 1914 the Cormoran pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam with only 50 tons of coal remaining.

Due to both the very unstable relationships between Germany and the U.S., and that Guam also had a very limited amount of coal, the Guam Military Governor refused to supply the Cormoran with more than a token amount of coal, hence, she was forced into internment on Guam. Over the next two years the crew became guests of the Guamanian's and relations were very good. Eventually, the crew moved off the ship and settled into a "normal" routine ashore.

At the outbreak of war with Germany (April 7, 1917), the captain of the Cormoran, Adalbert Zuckschwerdt, scuttled the ship instead of turning her over to the Americans. 13 crew members went down with the ship and they were buried with full military honors in the Naval cemetery in Agana.

The remainder of the crew was sent to Fort Douglas, Utah for the duration of the war. They were finally sent home to Germany on October 7, 1919.

DIVE INFO: The 290' Cormoran lays in 120 feet of water on her right (starboard) side directly beside the Tokai Maru (which went down in 1943). See the diagram below for the exact layout of the two ships.

The easiest way to reach the Cormoran (and dive on two ship from two different wars at the same time) is to follow the midsection hull of the Tokai over the side until you see the Cormoran at 80 feet. The hull of the Cormoran is intact and the first thing you'll see if the after steering deck house.   You can descend to the propeller shaft and touch both of the wrecks here.

The midship section of the Cormoran is intact and the engine room is easily accessible through the skylights, and most of the superstructure is relatively accessible.  Just behind the bridge there are two open cargo loading doors, and descending into this area leads you to the insides of the ship.

Visibility averages 35-40', but can vary due to the tide and large ship traffic in the harbor. A good average diving depth to see all of the port side would be 80-100 feet. Visibility averages 35-40', but can vary due weather and tidal flow in the harbor.

///PLEASE NOTE/// Wreck diving can be very enjoyable and offers a chance to see some of Guam's history. DO NOT make any penetration dives unless you are thoroughly trained and experienced.