Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-10-28
.ALTIC FLEET FIRES
ON BRITISH BOATS
Fishing Steamers RiddIed and Number
of Men Killed O. Wounded.
SURPRISE AND INTENSE INDIGNATION.
The Rombsfdmeui of the DefenseIess Vessels
Lasted Abont 10 Minutes. II Is Thought
That the Russians. Alarmed by the Sending
10 Of Rockets From the British Vessels, Sus.
pected q Submarine OF Torpedo Boat Attack.


Up Of Rockets From the British Vessels. Sus.
pected . Submarine OF Torpedo Boat Attack.
Hull, England (By Cable).-h. M.
Jackson & Co., solicitors for the own
ers Of 50 Hull fishing boats, have mott
fed the Foreign Office Of an attack on
the Hull fishing fleet by the Rus
sian Pacific fleet, commonly dcsig-
mated as tho Baltic squadron, COM
manded by Vice Admiral Rojcstvcn-
sky.
The official information is that
shortly after midnight Friday the Rus
sian squadron fell IN with the Hull
fishing feet in the North Sea 200 miles
off Spurn Head.
The Russian ships were stcaming
in line. The leading Ships passed
without incident, though most Of the
vessels turned scarchliShtS on the
trawlcrs long enough t" prevent any
mistake as TO identity.
After the bulk of the squadron ha |
passed it opened fire, nearly all par
ticpating in the firing. The steam
trawlcr Crane was struck below the
water line and raked above deck
Two Men Beheaded
Skipper Smith and third hand Leg
gott had their heads carried clean
away by a shot, many of the crew
being seriously wounded. Another
trawlcr was also sunk, but the steam
er Gea Gull. which brought the news
to Hull, has no particulars as to the
fate Of her crew.
The steam trawlers Moulmcin and
Mino have arrived at Hull, seriously
damaged by shots, the latter having
10 holes in her hull 1t is feared that
other damage was done 10 trawlerS
and that at least one more was lost
with all hands,
The news has created all intense
sensation and Indignation in Hull. The
Moulmein arrived with her flag at
half mast. Her skipper states that
the trawlcrs were finishing about 22o
miles each by north Of Spurn Head at
o'clock Saturday morning, ;he
weather being hazy, when the out
lines Of several vessels, apparently
warships sailing in line, were dlmly
seen.
Whilst the crew were watching the
warships, searchljghtS were flashed
upon them, in the glare of which the
Monuments crew observed what they
took to be torpedo boats approaching,
apparently with the intention OF board
ing the Moulmcin.
Fired for Twenty Minutes.
They steamed away, however, and
soon the fishermen were Mortified to
find they were being fred Upon. First
one and then another trawlcr was
struck by flying shot The Mino, lyina
to be round shot went through the
Monuments galley. The Mino, lying
nearby, also was struck with many
shots, but, fortunately, the damage
was above her water line, and none OF
her crew was struck. The lombard
ment lasted about 20 minutes. When
it had ceased the fleet sailed south
ward, and some Of the trawlcrs sent
up rockets. The Moulmein steered in
the direction Of the rocket. Soon
cries were heard and the Crane was
found sinking. with another trawler
taking off some of her crew. Those
seriously injured were removed to a
mission ship, and the bodies Of Smith
and Leggott were placed aboard the
Moulmein. The other men with minor
injuries were put aboard the trawlers
Sea Gull, which at late hour had
not arrived at Hull.
Crowds have gathered around the
dock, but no further information is
available.
Representatives Of the fishing fleet
started for London to consult with
the authorities there.
No motive can be assigned for the
extraordinary procedure OF the Rus
sian warshipS.
A Survivors, Story.
The only survivor of the Crane who
has yet reached here is J. A. Smith,
son of the deceased skipper, and who,
with the captains of the Moulmein and
Mino, is going to London to consult
with the authorities. Young Smith
was asleep in his bunk when the fir
ing aroused him. Just as he was get
ting up a SHOl STUCK lHC Ntdl DOdIu
and penetrated to the fOrecastlc,
smashing a lamp near which he was
standing. He rushed on deck, where
the seafchlights revealed the horrible
sight of his father and Leggott lying
headless and the deck strewn with
the injured 1t was soon found that
the vessel was sinking and signals for
assistance were sent up.
From interviews with members of
trawler crews it appears that the adj
miral of the fishing fleet burned green
flares to show that they were harm
less fishermen, but these signals were
ignored
Eighteen injured men are here un-
der treatment.
One trawler, the Wren, is missing,
and it is feared she has been sunk.
There were many distressing scenes
at Hull during the day and night, rcla-
tives inquiring after frienls.
There is rumor that the Great
Northern fishing fleet was also chased
by the Russians. This report has not
vet been confirmed.
Ex.Mayor Sent to Prison.
DavenDort. Iowa Especially Elk