The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-25
BALTIC SQUADRON OPENS FIRE
ON FISHING FLEET.
MANY OF CREW ARE KILLED
Attack Was Made In the Night After
the Warships Had Turned On
Search Lights.

Hull, England, Oct 23.-I. M. Jack
son & Co., solicitors for the owners
OF SO Hull fishing boats, have notified
the foreign office and admiralty OF an
attack on the Hull fishing outfit by the
Russian second Pacific fleet (com-
monty designated as the Baltic squad
ROM. The official information is that
shortly after midnight Friday the
Russian squadron fell in with the Hull
fishing fleet in the North sea. The
first portion of the fishing fleet passed
safely Then the Russian ships turned
their searchlights on the British YES
sells for some time and a little later
opened fire.
The steam trawler Crane 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 under
stood to be seriously wounded are on
4 hoard the mission ship. The only
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
16 holes in her hull. 1t is feared
that other damage was done to
4 %I,o+ ocf NM
was lost with all hands.
Heads Carried Away.
According to other reports the affair
/ occurred 200 miles off Spur Head. The
Russian ships were steaming in line
The leading ships of the fishing flee.
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 par
ticipating in the firing. The Crane
was struck below the water line and
Iraked above deck. Skipper Smith and
Third Hand Loggott had their heads
carried clean away by shot, many OF
the crew being seriously wounded
Another trawler also was sunk, but
the Seagull, which brought the news
to Hull, had no particulars as to hel
fate.
The news has created an intense
sensation and indignation in Hull. The
Moulmein arrived with her flag a.
half-mast. Her skipper states tha
the trawlers were fishing about 22t
miles east aof Spurn Head at one
o'clock Saturday morning, the weather
being hazy, when the outlones OF sev
eral vessels, apparently warships
sailing in line, were dimly seen
While the crew was watching th'
warships, searchlights were flashed
upon them, in the glare of which th'
Moulmein's crew observed what the.
took to be torpedo boats approaching
apparently with the intention o
| UOdl CuC VAOuAAAOAA.
Fishermen Surprised.
They steamed away, however, an
soon the fishermen we're Mortified t
find they were being fired upon. Firs
one and then another trawler wa
struck by the flying shot. Wha
. seemed to be a round shot wen
through the Moulmein galley. Th
Mino, lying nearby, also was struc
with many shots, but fortunately tn
damage was above her water line an
none of the crew was struck. Th
bombardment last ABOUT 20 minutes
When it had ceased the fleet sale
southwark and some of the trawler
!. sent up rockets. The Moulmei
steered in the direction OF the rookie
| Soon cries were heard and the Gran
/ was found sinking, with anothe
5 trawler taking off some OF her crew
Those seriously injured were remove
4 to mission ship and the bodies c
!. Smith and Loggott were placed aboar
: the Moulmein. The other men wit
e minor injuries were put aboard tn
trawler Seagull, which at late hou
had not arrived at Hull.
Crowds have gathered around tn
!. dock here, but no further informatio
8 is available.
Representatives of the fishing fie'