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The GermanStamps.net Collection

Germany & Related Areas, 1872 – 1945

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Karolinen

MSP No. 8 – SMS Cormoran

SMS Cormoran was an unprotected cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 17 May 1892 and commissioned on 25 July 1893.

In September 1895, SMS Cormoran began service in the South Pacific.  She would participate in the seizure of Kiautschou in 1897 and the Philippine Crisis of 1898, and remain assigned to the Ostasiatische Station until 1902.  From 1902-1909, she served in German home waters and spent a lengthy period in dockyard for a major refit. 

Following the refit, she resumed service at Ostasiatische Station in 1909.  In 1914, while she was in dockyard in Tsingtau for  repairs, World War I broke out.  As she was not fit to fight at that point, she was decommissioned, and her crew was used to man the captured steamer Ryazan, which was converted into the auxiliary cruiser Cormoran.

SMS Cormoran

Postmark Information

Period of Use on this Ship:

  • May 1897 to 13 September 1903
  • 8 May 1909 to 31 July 1914

Approximate Periods of Use in Karolinen waters:

  • December 1900
  • January 1902 to February 1902
  • December 1902 to February 1903
  • April 1910
  • June 1910
  • September 1910 to February 1911
  • June 1911 to July 1911
  • January 1912 to February 1912
  • April 1912
  • July 1912 to August 1912
  • October 1913 to December 1913
  • April 1914 to May 1914

Ship Information

Type:  Unprotected cruiser
Class:  Bussard class
Commissioned:  25 July 1893

Album Page(s)

Karolinen

MSP No. 8 – SMS Cormoran

Ship Information

Type:  Unprotected cruiser
Class:  Bussard class
Commissioned:  25 July 1893

SMS Cormoran was an unprotected cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 17 May 1892 and commissioned on 25 July 1893.

In September 1895, SMS Cormoran began service in the South Pacific.  She would participate in the seizure of Kiautschou in 1897 and the Philippine Crisis of 1898, and remain assigned to the Ostasiatische Station until 1902.  From 1902-1909, she served in German home waters and spent a lengthy period in dockyard for a major refit. 

Following the refit, she resumed service at Ostasiatische Station in 1909.  In 1914, while she was in dockyard in Tsingtau for  repairs, World War I broke out.  As she was not fit to fight at that point, she was decommissioned, and her crew was used to man the captured steamer Ryazan, which was converted into the auxiliary cruiser Cormoran.

SMS Cormoran

Postmark Information

Period of Use on this Ship:

  • May 1897 to 13 September 1903
  • 8 May 1909 to 31 July 1914

Approximate Periods of Use in D-NG waters:

  • March 1899 to April 1899
  • December 1900 to March 1901
  • June 1901 to July 1901
  • February 1902 to March 1902
  • February 1903 to March 1903
  • September 1909 to October 1909
  • April 1910
  • June 1910 to July 1910
  • October 1910
  • December 1910
  • March 1911
  • June 1911
  • July 1911
  • January 1912 to February 1912
  • March 1912 to April 1912
  • August 1912 to October 1912
  • July 1913 to October 1913
  • January 1914 to March 1914

Album Page(s)