The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-10-24
fired ON
FISHERMEN
Horrible BIunder BY Russia's
Baltic Fleet.
SEVERAL Men KILLED
One OF the TrawIers Sunk and
Another Is Reported to
Be Missing.
SEVERAL Men KILLED

HULL, England, Oct. PA. NJ. Jack
son d Co., solicitors for the owners OF
fifty Hull fishing boats, have notified
the English foreign office and admiral
ty Of an attack on the Hull fishing
feet by the Russian second Pacific
squadron, commonly designated as the
Baltic squadron. The official infor-
nation Is that shortly after midnight
the Russian squadron fell in with the
HullsAehing fleet in the North sea The
first portion Of the fishing feet passed
safely. Then the Russian ships turned
their searchllghts 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 skip
per and mate have been brought to
Hull The boatswain and other mem
bers of the crew who are understood
TO be injured are on board Il mission
ship, The only slightly injured mem
Der of the crew has arrived at Hull.
The steam trawlers Moulmciu and
wilma ia Z uIiiNfl ut KUN NGt lptl~lN
damaged by shots. the latter having
sixteen holes in her hull. 1t is feared
that other damage was done to trawl-
ers and that at least one more trawler
was lost with all hands
According 10 other reports, the affair
occurred 200 miles off Spurn hend The
Russian ships were steaming in line.
The leading ships passed without incl
dent, 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 had
passed il opened fra. nearly all partic-
ipating in the firing. The Crane was
struck below the water line and raked
above deck. Skipper Smith and Third
Hand Leggott had their heads carried
clean away by shot, many of the
crew being seriously wounded. An
other trawler also was sunk. but the
Sea Gull, which brought the news to
Hull, has no particulars as to her fate. |
The news has created an intense SEN |
EdIIpI III run lut
Moulmein arrived with her flag at half !
mast. Her skipper states that the |
trawlers were fishing about POO miles |
east by north of Spurn head at ! |
o'clock In the morning, the weather |
being hazy, when the outlines of sew |
eral vessels, apparently warships sail
ing in line, We're dimly seen.
While the crew were watching the
searchliChts were flashed |
upon them, in the glare of which the
crew observed what they
took to be torpedo boats approaching,
with the intention of board
ng the Moulmein They steamed away,
however, and soon the fishermen were
Mortified TO find they were being fired
upon. First one and then another
rawier was struck by flying shot.
What seemed 10 he round shot went
through the Monuments galley. The
'Iino. laying near by, also was struck
With many shots. but fortunately the
iamage was above her waterline, and
zone of her crew was struck.
The bombardment lasted about TWEEN
Y minutes. When it had ceased the
leet sailed southwark. and some of the
rawlers sent up rockets. The Moul-
nein steered in the direction of the
ockets. Soon cries were heard. and
he Crane was found sinking, with an
ther trawler taking off some of her
rev. Those seriously injured We're
emoved to mission ship, and the
'odies Of Smith and Leggott We're
laced aboard the Moulmein. The 9TH
r men with minor injuries were put
board the trawler Seagull, which at
late hour had not arrived at Hull.
Representatives of the fishing fleet
ave left for London to consult with
be authorities there.
No motive can be assigned for the
procedure of the Russian
-atnhiDa