Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-24
A NAVAL BLUNDER.
Russia's Baltic Fleet Sink
 British Trawlers.
BOATS BAKED BY WHOLE FLEET.
Steamer Crane Sunk, Two of Her Crew's Heads Being Blown on. Eighteen Fishermen
 Wounded

E1Ehteem FHSheEmem
 Wounded.
 HULL, England, Oct. 24.-A. M. Jack son & Co, solicitors for the owners of fifty Hull fishing boats, have notified the English foreign office and admiral ty of an attack on the Hull fishing fleet by the Russian second Pacific squadron, commonly designated as the Baltic squadron. The official infor- nation is that shortly after midnight the Russian squadron fell in with the Hull fishing fleet in the North sea- The first portion of the fishing fleet passed safely. Then the Russian ships turned their searchlights on the British ves- sells for some time and a little later opened fire.
 The steam trawler Crane was sunk, and the decapitated bodies of her skip per and mate have been brought to Hull. The boatswain and other mem- bers of the crew who are understood to be injured are on board mission ship. The only slightly injured mem Der of the crew has arrived at Hull.
 The steam trawlers Moulmein and Nina have arrived at Hull seriously damaged by shots, the latter having sixteen holes in her hull It is feared that other damage was done to trawl- CTS and that at least one more trawler was lost with all hands.
 According to other reports, the affair occurred 200 miles off Spurn head. The Russian ships were steaming in line. The leading ships passed without incl dent, though most of the vessels turned searchlights on the trawlers long enough, to prevent any mistake as to identity.
 After the bulk of the squadron had passed it opened fire, nearly all partfc- ipating in the firing. The Crane was struck below the water line and raked above deck. Skipper Smith and Third Hand Leggott had their heads carried clean away by a shot, many of the crew being seriously wounded An other trawler also was sunk, but the Sea Gull, which brought the news to Hull has no particulars as to her fate.
 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 trawlers were fishing about POO miles east by north of Spurn head at 1 o'clock in the morning, the weather being hay, when the outlines of sew eral vessels, apparently warships sail ing in line, were dimly seen.
 While the crew were watching the warships searchlights were flashed upon them, in the glare of which the Moulmein's crew observed what they took to be torpedo boats approaching, apparently with the intention of board ing the Moulmein. They steamed away, however, and soon the fishermen were mortified to find they were being fired upon. First one and then another trawler was struck zoby.e ing shot What seemed to be round shot went through the Moulmein's galley. The Mino, laying near by, also was struck with many shots, but fortunately the damage was above her waterline, and none of her crew was struck.
 The bombardment lasted about twen- ty minutes When it. had ceased the fleet sailed southward, and some of the trawlers sent up rockets. The Moul- mein steered in the direction of the rockets. Soon cries were heard, and the Crane was found sinking, with an other 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 oth- CT 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 extraordinary procedure of the Russian warships.
 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 alseep in his bunk when the firing aroused him. Just as he was getting up shot struck the starboard and penetrated to the forecastle, smashing a lamp near which he was standing. He rushed on deck, where the search lights revealed the horrible sight of his father and Leggott lying headless and the deck strewn with the injured. It WdS SOUIl lOuUQ tudL LACtN cSSSi was sinking, and signals for assistance were sent up.
 From interviews with members of trawler crews 1t appears that the ad miral of the fishing fleet burned green flares to show that they were harmless fishermen, but these signals were ig- nored.
 Eighteen injured men are here under treatment.
 One trawler, the Wren, is missing, and it is feared she has been sunk.
 The London Times editorially ex- presses the belief that immediate apol- ogy and reparation will be made by Russia for the deed committed by the Baltic fleet.
 It surmises that the Russians were victims of disgraceful panic through mistaking the fleet of British steam trawlers quietly pursuing their usual business for fotilla of Japanese tor