New-York tribune., 1904-10-24

Hull England. Oct ga. NJ Jackson & Co.
solicitors for the owners OF fifty Hull hsnins
boats, have Informed the Foreign once ana
Admiralty Of an attack on the Hull nsnihs heet
by the Russian Baltic squadron.
The official information is that shortly after
midnight on Friday the Russian squadron fell
in with the Hull fishing feet in the North sea-
The first part OF the fshing feet passed safely
Then the Russian ships turned their seareh-
lights on the British vessels for some tima. 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 understood
to be seriously injured, are on board q mission
ship. The only slightly injured member OF the
crew has arrived az Hull.
The steam trawlers MOulmein and Mino have
arrived at Hull seriously damaged BY shots the
latter vessel having sixteen holes in her hull
II is feared that other damage was done to
trawlers. and that at least one mOEs was lost
with all hands.
two hundred miles OF Srurn Head. The Rus
sia1, ships were steaming In line The leading
ships passed without Incident. though most Of
the vessels turned searchlghts on the tragviers
long enough to prevent any nlstaks as 70 idsn-
tity.
After the bulk OF the squadron had passed IL
orened fire. nearly all the warships taking part
in the fs:rE.
The Crane was struck below the waterline and
raked above deck The skipper. Smith, and ths
third hand. Leggett. had their heads carried
clean away by a shot, many Of the crew being
seriously wounded Another trawler also was
sunk. but the MOulmein. which brought the news
10 Hull, has no further information regarding
her.
The news has created an intense sensation and
indignation In Hull. The MouImein arrived with
her flag at haIfmas:. Her skipper states that
the trawlers were fishing about two hundred
ard twenty miles east by north Of Spurn Head
Mt o'clock on Saturday morning. the weather
Icing hazy. when the outlines Of several vessels.
apparently warships. sailing in lins were dim
Iy seen
While the crew were watching the warsh!ps
Eearchlights were flashed upon them, in the glare
Of which the Moulmelns crew observed what
they took to be torpedo boats approaching. ap-
rarently with the intention Of boarding the
Moulmein They steamed away, however, and
soon the fishermen horriAed 70 find they
were being fired upon. What seemed to be
round shot went through the Moulmeln's gal
ley. The Mino. lying near by. also struck
by many shots. but fortunately the damage
above her waterline. and none Of hec crew were
hit
The bornbardrnent lasted about twenty min
utes. When It had ceased the feet sailed south j,
ward and some OF the trawlers sent up rockets.
The Moulmein steered in the direction Of the
rocket Soon cries were heard and the Crane
was found sinking. with another trawler taking
on some OF her crew. Those seriously injured
were removed to a mission ship. and the bodies
OF Smith and I.eggett were placed aboard the
Moulmein The other men. with minor injuries. /
were put aboard the trawler Sea Gull, which at
a late hour had not arrived at Hull.
Crowds have gathered around the dock. but no .
further information Is available.
Representatives Of the fishing feet started late /
tonight for london TO consult with the author /
tiles there.
No motive can be assigned for the ext:aor- I
dinary procedure OF the Russian warships
The only survivor Of the Crane who has yet
reached here is ]. a. Smith son OF the dead
skipper. AMI who. with the captains Of the
Moulmein and Mino. is going to London to con-
suit With the authorities. Young smith Was
asleep In his bunk. when the Airing aroused hial-
Just as he getting up a shot struck the
starboard side and entered the forecastle.
smashing a lamp near which he was standing.
He rushed on deck. where the searchllghts re-
veaIed his father and Leggett lying headIess .
and the deck strewn with the injured II was
soon found that the vessel was sinking. and sig
nails for assistance were sent up
smith and others concur in the details OF the
firing which have already been given.
From interviews with members Of trawler
crews. 1t appears that the admiral Of the fishing
neet burned green fares to show that they werO