The Grit-advocate., 1904-10-28
DANGER OF WAR
BETWEEN ENGLAND AND RUSSIA
Russian Baltic Fleet Fires on British
Fishing 6oats.--Ore Boat Sunk and
planation as Yet


Hull. England. Oct. 2i.-A NJ Jack
son 4 Co. solicitors for the owners OF
fifty Hull fishing boats. have notified
the foreign Office and admiralty OF an
attack on the Hull fishing fleet by the
Russian Pacific fleet. otherwise known
as the Baltic squadron.
The official information Is that
shortly after midnight Friday the Rus
sian squadron fell in with the Hull
fishing fleet in the North Sea The
first portion OF the fishing feet passed
safely. Then the Russian ships turned
their searchlights on the British yes
sells for some time. and little later
opened Are.
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 seriously wounded. are on board
the mission ship. The only slightly In
jured 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
ers and that at least one more was lost
with all hands.
According to other reports. the affair
occurred 200 miles of Spurn Head. The
Russian ships were steaming In line.
The leading ships OF the fishing fleet
passed without incident. though most
OF the Russian vessels turned search
lights 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 partici-
pating In the firing. The Crale was
struck below the water line and raked
above deck. Skipper Smith and third
hand Laggott had their heads carried
clean away by a shot, many OF the
crew being seriously wounded. Another
trawler was also sunk, but the Sea
Gull, which brought the news to Hull.
| has no particulars as TO her fate.
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 220 miles
east OF 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 dlmly seen Whilst
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 boarding the
Moulmein. They steamed away, how
eer and soon the fishermen were hor-
rificd to find they were being fired
upon. First one and then another
trawler was struck by the flying shot.
What seemed to be a round shot went
through the Moulmein's galley.
The Mino, lying near by. also was
struck with many shots, but forum
ately the damage was above the water
line, and none Of the crew were struck.
The bombardnent lasted about twenty
minutes When it had ceased the fleet
had sailed southward and some OF the
trawlers sent up rockets. The Moul-
mein steered in the direction or the
rockets. Soon cries were heard. and
the Crale 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
other men, with minor injuries, we're
put aboard the trawler Sea Gull. which
at a late hour had not arrived at Hull.
Crowds have gathered around the
dock here. but no further Information
is available.
Representatives of the fishing fleet
started late tonight for London 70 con
suit with the authorities there.
No motive can be ascertained Tor the
extraordinary procedure OF the Rus-
! aim narshinS