Description

On the morning of the 28th February,1909, the steamship ‘Ville D’Alger’, en route from Algeria to Marseille, was in collision with the steamship ‘Orleanais’ outside Marseille harbour. The ‘Ville D’Alger’ was run aground off Joliette, where she lay half full of water.The mail was all recovered a few days later, but all was wetted by sea water. The steamer was subsequently refloated on the 6th April. There are four different types of handstamp known used, three have the wording ‘NAUFRAGE DE LA VILLE D’ALGER’ in two lines, the fourth omits the ‘LA’ from the wording. There is also a manuscript cachet ‘Naufrage de la Ville D’Alger’. This picture post card fro Algeria, has had the stamp washed off. The cachet received is a variety on the usual ones seen, with the 'NAUFRAGE' in smaller letters than the 'DE LA VILLE D'ALGER'. It has been struck in a deep blue ink. Fine and uncommon

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