The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-24

fifty Hull fishing boats, have notified
the Foreign Office and admiralty of
an attack on the Hull fishing fleet by
the Russian Pacific fleet Commonly
designated as the Baltic squadron).
The Official information is that
shortly after midnight Friday the
Russian squadron fell in with the Huh
fishing fleet in the North sea. The
first portion of the fishing fleet passed
safely. Then the Russian ships turn
ed their searchlights on the British
vessels for some time, and q little later
opened fire.
The steam trawler Crane was sunk
and the decapitated bodies of her
skipper and mate have been brought
to Hull. The boatswain and other
members of the crew. who are under
stood to be seriously injured, are on
board a mission ship. The only slight
ly injured member of the crew has ar
rived at Hull.
others Damaged BY Shots.
The steam trawlers Moulmein and
Mino have arrived at Hull seriously
damaged by shots, the latter having
sixteen holes in her hull 1t is feared
that other damage was done to trawl-
ers and that at least one more was
lost, with all hands
According to other reports the affair
occurred 200 miles off Spurnhead. The
Russian ships were steaning in line
The leading ships passed without in
cident, 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. 1t opened fire,
nearly all participating in the firing.
The Crane was struck below the wa
ter line and raked above deck. Skip
per Smith and Third Hand Leggott
had their heads carried clean away
by shot, many of the crew being Sc
riously wounded. Another trawler
also was sunk, but the Seagull. which
brought the news to Hull has no par
ticulars as to her fate.
Great Indignation.
The news has created an intense sem
sation and indignation in Hull. The
Moulmein arrived with her flag at
half mast. Her skipper states that
the trawlers were fishing about 22O
miles east by north of Spurnhead at
o'clock Saturday morning, the wealth
er being hazy, when the outlines of
several vessels, apparently w'arships,
sailing in line, were dimly seen.
Whilst the crew were watching the
warships, searchlights were flashed up
on them, in the glare of which the
MouImein'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 fisher
men were Mortified to find they were
being fired upon. First one and then
another trawler was struck by flying
shot. What seemed to be a round
shot went through the Moulmeins gall
ley.
The Mino, lying near by, also was
struck with many shots, but FORUM
ately the damage was above her water
line, and none of her crew was struck.
BOmbarded for Twenty Minutes.
The bombardment lasted about TWEEN
ty minutes. When it had ceased the
heet sailed southwark, and some Of
the trawlers sent up rockets. The
Moulmefn 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 plac-
ed aboard the Moulmein. The other
men with minor injuries were put
aboard the trawler Seagull, 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 feet
started late tonight for London to
consult the authorities there.
No motive can be assigned for the
extraordinary procedure Of the Russian
warships.
Aroused by Firing.
The only survivor OF the Crane who
mas yet reached here is J. A. Smith,