Audubon Republican., 1904-10-27
RUSSIANS FIRE ON
ENGLISH SHIPS
Fishing Vessels Made Tar.
gets for Heavy
Guns.
SEVERAL REPORTED SUNK
international Complications Are In
Sight - Decapitated Bodies Have
Been Brought Ashore at Hull -
Attack Was Unprovoked.

London, Oct. 24-The Russian Pa
cifc (Baltic) fleet. comprising seven
battleshirs and four cruisers, passed
Dover in three sections between
o'clock yesterday morning and
o'clock yesterday afternoon, and later
passed Eastbourne They were watch.
I'd by large crowds from shore Moth.
ing has been seen Of the torpedo fo-
tilla, which, however, may have pass
ed during the night, as Lloyds at
noon reported four Russian torpedo
boats passing ST. GATHERINGS point,
apparently boarding a steamer bound
east"
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.
Cherbourg, Oct 24.-Four more
Russian torpedo boats have arrived,
conveying a collier. They will leave
today.
Vigo, Spain, Oct. 24.-Five coal lad.
en- German steamers are awaiting the
Baltic feet.
Hull, Eng, Oct. PA. NJ. Jackson
& Co., solicitors for the owners of
fifty Hull fishing boats, have notified
the foreign office and admiralty of an
attack on the Hull fishing feet by tho
Russian second Pacific squadron, (the
Baltic squadron). The official informa.
tion is that shortly after midnight
Friday, the Russian squadron fell in
with the Hull fishing feet in the North
sea. The first portion of the fishing
fleet passed safely. Then the Russian
ships turned their searchlights on the
British vessels for some time, and
little later opened fire. The steam
trawler Crane was sunk, and the de-
capitated bodies of her skipper and
mate have been brought to Hull. The
boatswain and other members of the
crew, who are understood to be seri-
ously wounded. are on board a mission
ship. A slightly injured member of the
crew has arrived at Hull.
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 traw-
lers and that at least one more was
lost, with all hands.
According to other reports, the af-
fair occurred two hundred miles off
Spurn head. The Russian ships were
steaming in line The leading ships
passed without incident, though most
Of the vessels turned searchlights on
the trawlers enough to prevent any
mistake as to identity. After the bulk
Of the squadron had passed, 1t opened
~, oil hn yhi tot, iro
in the firing The Crane was struck
below the water line and raked above
deck. Skipper Smith and Third Mate
LoggOtt's heads were carried clean
away by a shot, many of the crew be-
ing seriously wounded.
The news has created an intense
sensation and indignation in Hull. The
MOulmein arrived with her flag at half
mast Her skipper states that the
trawlers were fishing about 220 miles
east by north Of Spurn Head at I
o'clock Saturday morning. the weather
being haZy, when the outlines Of sew
eral vessels, apparently warships sail
ing in line, were diEly seen. While
the crew was watching the warships,
searchlights were flashed on the boat,
in the glare of which the Moulmein's
crew observed what they took to be
torpedo boats approaching, apparently
with the intention Of boarding the
Moulmein. They steamed away, how
ever, and soon the fishermen were hor-
rified to find they were being fired up
on. First one and then another traw-
Ter was struck by flying SHOT. What
seemed to be a round shot went
through the Moulmein 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
bombardment lasted about twenty
minutes. When it had ceased the feet
sailed southwark, and some 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 an.
other trawler taking off her crew.
Those seriously injured were removed
to a mission ship and the bodies OF
Smith and Loggott were placed aboard
the Moulmein. The other men with
minor injuries were put aboard the
trawler Sea Gull.
Crowds had gathered around the
dock.
Representatives OF the fishing feet
started late last night for London to
consult with the authorities.
No motive can be assigned for the
procedure of the Russian warships.