Rozhestvensky waits at Cam Ranh Bay

Corbett leaves the reasons for Rozhestvensky's prolonged stay in French waters partly unresolved. He identifies a possible strategic advantage in meeting the Japanese fleet in the South China Sea, away from Japan's strongest control and near neutral harbours. Battle preparations included clearing coal from the casemates and arranging protection for the transports so the fighting ships could manoeuvre freely. Orders to await Nebogatov's Third Pacific Squadron also constrained departure. France then gave the Russians 24 hours to leave its waters. Rozhestvensky planned to wait outside territorial waters, maintain communications through Saigon, and proceed if his coal fell to the amount needed to reach Vladivostok.