Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-10-25
BRITAIN SENDS
DEMAND TO RUSSIA
WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE
j. = r-g a,.T.
REASON FOR RUSSIAN ATTACK
4 ON FISHING FLEET NOT
7. ..,-$ s,5 AsCERTAlNED.

London, Oct. 25.-The Russian Bal.
tic fleet, which left Danish waters on
Friday, ran into a fleet of English
trawlers early Saturday morning and
without any apparent cause, as far as
has been ascertained, deliberately
opened fire on them.
AS result of this extraordinary
action at least one and probably two
vessels have been sunk and several
damaged. Two men were killed out
right and many others wounded.
1 At the time of the occurrence, 1
.. M, Saturday, the fishing feet, in
Guiding about fifty vessels, was fishing
about 220 miles east by north of Spurn,
when several large vessels came into
view. The weather was fine but slight
ly haZy. The strange ships doomed up
larger and larger in the darkness and
proved to be the Baltic fleet, consist
ing of about fifteen ships, the depar.
ture of which for the Far East has al.
ready been announced.
Subjected to Fierce sombardment.
The warships advanced in a line.
Half the squadron passed the fishing
vessels without any demonstration.
The glare OF searchlights suddenly was
turned on the fishing boats from the
second half of the squadron. Then the
stiffness was shattered by the firing OF
heavy guns and the Mortified fishermen
found themselves subjected to fierce
bOmbardment.
Several vessels we're struck and
panic seized the entire feet. Attempts
were made, by burning a green light.
to convey to the Russians the harm
less nature of the fishing boats opera
tions, but without avail The firing
continued for twenty minutes, until
the Russians had steamed out of range.
Then it was found that several of the
trawlers had been severely injured.
The greatest havoc occurred on board
the Crane. The captain and mate were
found decapitated and other members
of the crew severely injured.
AS yet it is impossible to discover
the full extent of the damage, but it is
feared at least one other vessel be-
sides the Crane was sunk. The pre-
else spot of the disaster is in latitude
55.l5 north and longitude Sc east.
Over Two Hundred Shots Fired.
1ue iudLe Oh me IrdWler MILO, WHICH
arrived at Hull with the Moulmein
bringing the news of the firing on the
fishing boats, said:
"Between 200 and 300 shots were
fired. The first vessel in line did most
of the firing.$ But I think two others
also fred several shots. Our whole
feet was under searchlights, which
nearly blinded us. The Russians came
within less than a quarter of a mile
from us. We could see them plainly
~ Captain Peaker of the trawler Mag.
pie declared it was impossible for the
Russians to mistake the trawlers for
torpedo boats. He added:
'The whole affair lasted about TWEEN.
ty minutes. Not quarter of their
shots could have taken effect. When
the firing ceased the ships disappeared
as quickly as they came up.
Every sailor knows that this part
of the sea is a fishing ground and no
one could have mistaken our feet with
it's special light as signals"
OF the 100 fishing vessels through
which the Russian squadron passed
five are still unaccounted for and some
anxiety exists regarding their safety.