Lot 20175 – 1905 Saigon viewcard posted by Sister of Mercy on

1905 Saigon viewcard posted by Sister of Mercy on shore leave from Russian Hospital Ship « OREL », anchored in Camranh Bay, franked pair French Indochina 5c, cancelled Mythoi (near Saigon), dated in ms 9 April 1905 (=22 April New Style); transit Phanrang 24 April, Nhatrang 26 April,; received St Petersburg 22 V 1905 (O.S.) Message states: « The French authorities do not allow the squadron to stay in their bay….today at 12 o’clock the squadron goes somewhere, we don’t know where… » The « Orel » was a vessel of the Russian Volunteer Fleet, converted to a hospital ship and attached to the 2nd Pacific Squadron, en route from Europe to engage the Japanese. When the squadron reached Camranh Bay she was detached to contact the Russian Consul in Saigon. The fact that the « Orel » had been sent to collect intelligence at Saigon was regarded by the Japanese as a hostile act and when captured by a Japanese cruiser on the eve of the Battle of Tsushima (27-28 May 1905) was considered a legitimate prize.