The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-10-26
BALTIC FLEET FIRES
ON BRITISH BOATS
Fishing Steamers RiddIed and Number
Of Men Killed o. Wounded.
SURPRISE AND INTENSE INDIGNATION.
The Bombsrdment Of the Deieuseless Vessels
Lasted About 20 Miuutes-It Is Thought
That the Russians. Alarmed By the Sending
Up Of oiRoekets From the British Vessels, Sus.
peeled a Submarine or Torpedo Boat Attack

peeled Submarine or Torpedo Boat Attack.
Hull, England (By Cable).-A. NJ
Jackson & Co., solicitors for the own
ers OF so Hull fishing boats, have noti-
fed the Foreign Office of an attack on
the Hull fishing fleet by the Rus.
sian Pacific fleet, commonly desig-
mated as the Baltic squadron. com
manded by Vice Admiral Rojestven-
sky.
The official information is that
shortly after midnight Friday the Rus
sian squadron fell in with the Hull
fishing feet in the North Sea 200 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 long enough to prevent any
mistake as TO identity.
After the bulk OF the squadron ha
passed it opened fire, nearly all par
ticipating in the firing. The steam
trawler Crane was struck below the
water line and raked above deck.
Two Men Beheaded.
Skipper Smith and third hand Leg
gott had their heads carried clean
away by a shot, many of the crew
being seriously wounded Another
trawler was also sunk, but the steam
er Gea Gull. which brought the news
10 Hull, has no particulars as to the
fate of her crew.
The steam trawlers Moulmein and
Mino have arrived at Hull, seriously
damaged by shots, the latter having
I6 holes in her hull. 1t is feared that
other damage was done to trawers
and that at least one more was lost
with all hands.
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 finishing about 22o
miles each by north OF Spurn Head at
1 o'clock Saturday morning, ;he
weather being hazy. when the out
lines OF several vessels. apparently
warships sailing in a line, were dimly
seen.
Whilst the crew were watching the
warships. searchlghts were flashed
upon them, in the glare of which the
Moulmeins crew observed what they
took to be torpedo boats approaching,
apparently with the intention OF board
ing the Moumen.
Fired for Twenty Minutes.
They steamed away, however, and
soon the fishermen were Mortified to
find they were being .,red upon. First
one and then another trawler was
struck by flying shot The Mino, lying
to be round shot went through the
Moulmein's 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 lombard
ment lasted about 60 minutes. When
it had ceased the fleet sailed south
ward, and some OF tho trawlers seat
up rockets The Moulmcin stecrcd 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 Tcm ovcd TO a
mission ship, and the bodies OF Smith
and Lcggott were placed aboard the
Moulmcin. The other men with minor
injuries were put aboard the trawlers
Sea Gull, which at late hour had
not arrived at Hull.
Crowds have gathe Cd around the
dock, but no further information is
available.
Representatives OF the fishing feet
started for London TO consult with
the authorities ihcrc.
No motive can be assigned for the
extraordinary procedure OF the Rus
sian warships.
n Survivors, Story.
The only survivor OF the Crane who
has yet reached here is J. A. Smith,
son OF the deceased skipper, and who
with the captains OF the Moulmcin and
Mino, is going to London to consult
with the authorities. Young Smith
was asleep in his bunk when the FIR
ing aroused him. Just as he was get
ting up a shot struck the starboard
and penetrated 10 the forecastc,
smashing a lamp near which he was
standing. He rushed on deck, where
the searchlights revealed the horrible
sight OF his father and Lcggott lying
headless and the deck strewn with
the injured. 1t was soon found that
the vessel was sinking and signals for
assistance were sent up.
From interviews with members Of
trawler crews il appears that the ad-
miral OF the fishing fleet burned green
fares to show that they were harm
less fishermen, but these signals were
ignored.
Eighteen injured men are here un-
der treatment.
One trawler, the Wren, is missing.
and il is feared she has been sunk.
There were many distressing scenes
at Hull during the day and night, rela-
tivcs inquiring after friea Is.
There is runor that the Great
Northern fishing feet was also chased
by the Russians. This report has not
yet been confirmed.
EI.Msyor Seat to Prison.
Davenport, Iowa (Spccial) .-Ex-