Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-10-29
RUSSIANS SINK
BRITISH SHIPS
Russian Pacific Squadron Attacks
Hull Fishing Fleet.
NO MOTIVE IS ASSIGNED
One DOat Was Sunk and the Mem.
bers of the Crew Killed and
WOunded-Grent Excite
ment at Hull.

Hull, Eng. Oct. PA. NJ. Jackson
& Co., solicitors for the owners of
SO Hull fishing boats, have notified the
foreign Office and admiralty of an at
tack on the Hull fishing fleet by the
Russian second Pacific squadron, COM
mandej by Vice-Admiral Rojestvensky.
The official information Is that short
ly after midnight Friday the Russian
squadron fell in with the Hull fishing
feet In the North sea. Then the Rus
sian ships turned their searchlights
on the British vessels for some time,
and a little latter opened fire. The
steam trawler Crale 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 understood to be seri-
ously wounded are on board mission
ship. The only slightly injured MEM
ber Of the crew has arrived at Hull.
The steam trawlers Moulmein anj
Mino have arrived at Hull. seriously
damaged by shots, the latter having
16 holes in her hull. 1t was 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 af.
fair occurred 200 miles off Spurnhead.
The Russian ships were steaming In
line. The leading ships passed with
out incident, though most of the ves'
sells turned searchllghts on the trawl-
ers long enough to prevent any mis-
take as to the identity. After the
bulk of the squadron had passed, 1t
opened fire, nearly all participating
in the firing. The Crone was struck
below the water line and raked above
deck. Skipper Smith and third hand
Leggott had their heads carried away
by shot, many Of the crew being So
rlously wounded Another trawler
also was sunk, but the Seagull, which
brought the news to Hull, has no par
tlculars as to her fate.
Report Creates n Sensation.
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 one
o'clock Saturday morning, the wealth.
er being hazy, when the outlines Of
several vessels, apparently warships,
sailing in line, were dimly seen.
Whilst the crew were watching the
warships, searchlights were flashed
upon them, in the glare of which the
Moulmeins crew observed what they
took to be topedo 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 round
shot went through the Moulmein gal.
ley. The Mino, lying nearby, also was
struck with many she's, but fortunate.
ly the damage was above her water
line, and none of her crew was struck.
The bombardment lasted about 20 min.
utes. When it ceased, the fleet sailed
south, and some Of the trawlers sent
up rockets, The Moulmein steered In
the direction Of the rockets Cries
were heard, and the Crane was found
sinking, with another trawler taking
off some of her crew. Those serious.
ly injured were removed to mission
ship, and the bodies of Smith and
Leggott were placed aboard the Moul.
mein. The other men with minor in.
juries were put aboard the trawler
Seagull, which at 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 Sunday night for London
to consult with the authorities there.
No motive can be assigned for the
extraordinary procedure of the Rus.
sian warships,
The only survivor of the Crane who
has yet reached here Is j. A. Smith,
son of the deceased skipper and who
was with the captains of the Moul.
meln and Mino, is going to London to
consult with the authorities.
Young Smith was asleep in his bunk
when the firing aroused him. Just as
he was getting up, shot struck the
starboard and penetrated to the fore
castle, smashing lamp near which
he was standing. He rushed on deck.
where the searchlights revealed the
horrible sight of his father and Leg
gott lying headless and the deck
strewn with the injured. 1t was soon
found that the vessel was sinking, and