The official AHF German Colonies quiz thread

[danebrog]

Hi Aleks

you got nearer and nearer!

The location is nearly right
But now you should activate the flux-capacitor

[AVV]

Good evening!

Well, my last try: the remains of SMS Kormoran (ex-Russian Ryazan) after she was blown up by her crew in Guam in April, 1917?

Best regards, Aleks

[danebrog]

I feel very sorry Aleks, but again you failed (or the unreliable flux capacitor?)

Next hint:
the same month there was the inauguration of a world famous building

[danebrog]

Seems to be a tough question, so have a look here:

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/pdf/OPAC/264952.pdf

after this you should know what happened

[AVV]

Good evening!
Well, your hint shows that this is one of the victims of Samoa hurricane in March, 1889 - so, let's say, SMS Adler.
http://homepages.tesco.net/scaramouche/ ... rships.htm

Best regards, Aleks

[danebrog]

Aleks, that is correct

the picture shows the remains of SMS Adler, sunk in the Hurricane March 15th/16th 1889 at Apia / Samoa


http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-f ... dler-k.htm

On the 15th and 16th of March 1889, a tropical hurricane struck the South Pacific island kingdom of Samoa. In the port of Apia, on the northern coast of the Samoan island of Upolu, seven foreign warships were anchored in the town's small and very exposed harbor, protecting their national interests during a time of domestic Samoan political unrest. Active German military involvement in the local crisis was perceived as a threat to U.S. commerical interests in the islands, and the U.S. Navy's Pacific Station flagship, USS Trenton, and the smaller U.S. warships Vandalia and Nipsic were present as a "show of force" in opposition to the German corvette Olga and gunboats Adler and Eber. This tense situation carried a serious risk of war between those two countries. Also anchored in Apia harbor was the British Royal Navy corvette Calliope and several civilian vessels.

Though the weather was visibly threatening in the hours before the storm, the senior officer present, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly, had decided to remain at Apia, basing his decision on local opinion that the hurricane season was already past. However, the force of wind and waves proved much greater than anticipated. With the exception of the relatively modern Calliope, which was able with great difficulty to steam out of the harbor in the teeth of the storm, the ships' anchors and engines proved unable to resist the blow. Eber, the smallest of the warships present, was blown into the reef and completely destroyed, with the loss of nearly all of her crew. Adler and Vandalia also suffered heavy personnel casualties and were wrecked beyond any possibility of recovery. Trenton, whose steam powerplant was extinguished by water entering through her low hause pipes, dragged her anchors and was also wrecked, though losses among her men were light. Olga and Nipsic were run ashore, but both were later hauled off and repaired.

The shocking violence of the storm, which took the lives of more than fifty U.S. Sailors and Marines, and about ninety Germans, overwhelmed the international naval confrontation. A diplomatic settlement of the Samoan question followed, though the islands' internal problems were not over and foreign intervention again took place during the next decade

Nearly the same time was the inauguration of the Eiffel-Tower (March 31st 1889)

Its up to you Aleks

[AVV]

Thanks!
Next question - whose coat of arms is this one?

Best regards, Aleks

[danebrog]

Hi Aleks

perhaps a member of this noble family?

Allen, die von Vorbeck kamen, der im Lettenlande kriegte,
Blieb der stolze Ehrennamen, den er mit dem Schwert ersiegte;
Alle haben ihn getragen ehrenreich seit allen Tagen,
Ihres großen Ahnen werth,
Und im Felde sich geschlagen
Wie sein Beispiel sie’s gelehrt.

Wenn, von Feinden dicht umrungen, todesfroh die Waffen schimmern
Wenn auf blauen Meereswogen fern die bleichen Sterne schimmern -
dann mußt Du die Lettows schauen: ohne Zagen, ohne Grauen
Stehen sie am Steuer dann, sprechen fest, voll Gottvertrauen:

„Bricht der Anker, hält der Mann!“

[AVV]

Good evening!

perhaps a member of this noble family?

Quite right. To my surprise, this family even has its own website where I've found this coat of arms.
http://www.lettow-vorbeck.de/
Over to you!

Best regards, Aleks

[danebrog]

Thanks Aleks

I had to do a heraldic search, but at least..

O.K. What do we have here?

[AVV]

Hello!
I'll start training my brain...
Remains of some plant?

Best regards, Aleks

[Mischa]

Hello,
was für ein Schrotthaufen! what a scrap-iron (machinery) but I do not know where I must looking for?

Regards my friends
Mischa

[danebrog]

HINT

Holder of the basic patent


* 10. July 1856
† 7. January 1943

[AVV]

Hello!

Holder of the basic patent

Hm-m... This man made so many inventions... Something connected with electricity?

Best regards, Aleks

[stulev]

Looks like a motor - maybe running an elevator in a mine or maybe even a cable car