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Commemorating the SMS Cormoran II: The Lecture Series

Commemorating the SMS Cormoran II: The Lecture Series

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the scuttling of the SMS Cormoran II on April 7, 1917. A series of special events has been scheduled to commemorate the SMS Cormoran. The events take place from April 1 through the 14 and include a series of lectures hosted by the US National Park Services. Scholars and historians on the subject of the SMS Cormoran II and Guam history will give the lectures.

Dr. Bill Jeffery will give a lecture about a marine archaeology program on Wednesday, April 5. The lecture focuses specifically on the SMS Cormoran II. Dr. Jeffrey is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Guam and an avid diver. On Thursday, April 6, Rufus Hasplur of Lamotrek, Federated States of Micronesia, and Guam historian Toni Ramirez will co-host a lecture based on the oral history accounts of people who interacted with the SMS Cormoran II Crew during her stay in Micronesia.

“The SMS Cormoran’s history is not just about its relationship with the United States and Naval Government of Guam. There are also the oral histories/memories of what had happened when the ship remained in Lamotrek for a few weeks and Guam for three (3) years (1914-1917).”

The next featured lecture will be Monday, April 10, by Mike Musto, who will share the story of two ships whose fates became entwined, with one replacing the other and ultimately earning a place in both Guam and American history. “The tale of the two Cormoran’s is filled with all the necessary ingredients of a great story – thriller, intrigue, adventure, insanity, suspicions, class, love, friendships and history. Mike Musto will weave all these ingredients together in a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and entertain you.”


On Tuesday, April 11, National Park Service historian Dave Lotz will lecture on “The German East-Asia Squadron, the origin of the Cormoran story of World War I.” In addition to being a historian, Mr. Lotz is a published author and expert hiker of Guam’s natural terrain. The last day of lectures will feature Dr. Jeffrey repeating his lecture on the marine archaeology program.

All lectures will be held at the T. Stell Newman Visitors Center in Piti from 4:00-5:00 PM. The presentations are open to the public and there is no cost for admission. For more information about the lecture series, please contact Kelly Carroll at the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center at 671-333-4050. You may also contact the Guam Visitors Bureau at 646-5278.

Schedule of Lectures at the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center:

April 5, 2017 – 4:00 PM-5:00 PM – Dr. Bill Jeffrey
April 6, 2017 – 4:00 PM-5:00 PM – Mr. Rufus Hasplur & Mr. Toni Rameriz
April 10, 2017 – 4:00 PM-5:00 PM – Mr. Mike Musto

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