Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-10-24
RUsSIA's ATTACK ON FISHING
FLEET.

attack on the Hull fishing feet by the
Russian Pacific fleet, designated as the
Baltic squadron, commanded by Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky.
The official information is that shortly
after midnight Friday the Russian
squadron fell in with the Hull fishing
feet in the North Sea 200 miles OIL
Spurn Head. The Russian ships were
steamiDg in line. The leading ships
passed without incident, though most OF
the vessels turned searchlights on the
trawlers long enough to prevent any
mistake as TO identity. After the bulk
of th SQUADRON had passed it opened
fire, nearly all participatingin the firing.
The steam trawler Crane was struck
below the water line and raked above
deck.
Skipper Smith and third hand Leg
gott had their heads carried clean away
by shot, many of the crew being seri-
ously wounded. Another trawler was
also sunk, but the steamer Sea Gull,
which brought the news to Hull, has no
particulars as to her fate.
The steam trawlers Moulmein and
Mino have arrived at Hull, seriously
damaged by shots, the latter having l6
holes in her hull. 1t is feared that other
damage was done to trawlers and that
at least one more was lost with all
hands.
The news has created an intense sen.
sation and Indignation in Hull. The
Moulmein arrived with her flag at half
mast. Her skipper states that the traw-
lers were finishing about 900 miles east
by north of Spurn Head a: l O'Clock
Saturday morning, the weather being
hazy, when the outlines of several yes-
sells, apparently warships, sailing in a
line, were dimly seen.
Whilst the crew we're watching the
warships, searchlights were flashed upon
them, in the glare of which the Moul-
mems crew observed what they took TO
be torpedo boats approaching, apparent
ly with the intention OF boarding the
Moulmen.
They steamed away, however, and
soon the fishermen were Mortified to
find they were being fred upon. First
one and then another trawler was
struck by flying shot. What seemed 20
be round shot went through the Moul-
mems gallery. The Mino, lying neal
by, also was struck with many shots, but,
fortunately, the damage was above her
water line, and none of her crew was
struck. The bombardment lasted about
90 minutes. When it had ceased the
fleet sailed southwark, and sumo of the
trawlers sent up rockets. The Moul-
mein 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 mission ship, and the bodies of
Smith and Leggott were placed aboard
the Moulmein. The other men with
minor injuries were put aboard the
trawler Seagull, which at a late hour
had not arrived at Hull.
No motive can be assigned for the ex-
traordinary procedure of the Russian
Yarships.
The Russian Baltic feet, comprising
seven battleships and four cruisers,
passed Dover in three sections between
6 o'clock yesterday morning aud 2
o'clock yesterday afternoon and later
passed Eastbourne. Nothing has been
seen of the torpedo aotila, which, how
ever, may have passed during the night,
as Lloyds at noon reported four Russian
torpedo boats passing ST. GATHERINGS
Point, apparently boarding steamer
bound east"
A dispatch from Cherbourg reports
that three Russian torpedo boats, es-
corted by the volunteer cruiser Korea,
are mOored in the roadstead there to
take coal, water, etc.
The report is confirmed at Portsmouth
that vessels of the Russian Baltic feet
stopped and searched merchantmen off
the Isle Of Wight.
ToDAY's DISPATCHES.
London, Oct. 24.-The night attack
on the Gamecock fishing feet by the
Russian Baltic squadron in the North
Sea, has stirred England to its very
centre. There has not been such ex-
element in Britain against any European
power in the memory of the present gen.
Grafton. Even papers like the peace
loving Manchester Guardian indulge in
double loaded editorials in which a war
like spirit is shown.
London, Oct. 24.--The Russian En-
bassy has issued the following statement
regarding the North Sea incident "Ad-
miral Rodesventsky was undoubtedly
not responsible for the order to fire, as
he had gone ahead with the first section
of the feet. The fact probably is, that
the feet did not see the lights of the
fishing fleet, and mistook the rocket
fired from of the trawlers for a hostile
signal. The fact that the feet steamed
away after firing was probably due to the
belief that no damage had been done
We are compelled to await news from
st. Petersburg before we can explain the
matter fully. Nonews has yet arrived"
Hull, England Oct. 24.-Only one
vessel arrived this morning from one
fishing rendezvous in the North Sea.
She was not near the scene of the attack
on the fishing feet. The latest reports
of he affair received here show that four
Russian vessels were concerned and these
together fred 300 shots at the British
fishing vessels at range OF about a
onartar nf a noiIa