Russo Japanese War, Russian Supply Ship Irtysh Copper Steam Pipe

Original era manufacture. Large section of copper steam pipe which measures 13 inches in height. Hand painted kanji on the side tells the tale. The Russian ship Irtysh was a Baltic Fleet Supply ship. In 1905 she accompanied that fleet on their cruise to engage the Japanese Fleet off of Vladivostok. During the subsequent Battle of Tsushima the Irtysh was damaged, she later ran aground the next day off of the coast of Japan near the fishing village of Waki. The Japanese villagers rescued the officers and crew of the stranded Russian vessel, bringing them to shore and safety. Afterwards, the Irtysh was scrapped with a small museum being set up housing relics of that incident. This copper pipe is one of the relics of the ship salvaged over 100 years ago.