CRANE

Kellsall Bros. & Beeching; 1903; Goole S.B. Co.; 168 tons; 110.3 * 20.9 * 11; 45 r.h.p.; triple-expansion engines.

The steam trawler CRANE was engaged upon her lawful occasions off the Dogger Bank on the night of October 21st, 1904, when she and her consorts were fired on by the Russian Baltic Fleet on its way to the Far East. The incident caused a great sensation through-out Europe, producing reactions far more intense than its importance merited. Before the furore had died down the British Home , Channel and Mediterranean squadrons were warned for action and the verge of a European war had been reached.

The Russo-Japanese War was then in its ninth month, by which time the Russian Pacific Squadron at Port Arthur had been almost annihilated by the Japanese. In order to bolster up their damaged naval prestige the Russians despatched their Baltic Fleet to the Far East. From the outset the cruise was dogged by misfortune, for, on emerging from the Skaggerack on Friday, October 21st, the transport KAMSCHATKA, which had lost touch, fired on the Swedish vessel ALDEBARAN, mistaking her for a Japanese warship. A succession of signals sent out by the transport to the effect that she was attacked by enemy torpedo boats, produced an unfortunate state of nerves among the Russian commanders. That same night the fleet encountered what it conceived to be a flotilla of hostile torpedo boats, which were, in fact, nothing more than British fishing trawlers. The Russians opened up a devastating fire from their nearest ships. The steam trawler CRANE, Skipper George Smith, was sunk in a few minutes, Smith an the third hand, Leggott, being killed and six others wounded. In addition the trawlers MOULMEIN and MINO were hit repeatedly, but suffered no casualties. The Squadron then passed on, leaving one ship to watch the trawlers but offering no assistance and sending no boats.

After public excitement had died down both governments agreed to an impartial examination of the incident by an International Commission to sit in Paris.

After careful and searching examination the commission reported at the beginning of March 1905. It expressed the opinion that the Russian commanders were sincere in their belief that they could discern hostile torpedo boats among the fishing fleet. It censured Admiral Rojdestvensky, commanding the Baltic Fleet, for his omission to report the affair when passing Dover, and stated that in its view the firing was unduly prolonged. Finally,

".....the majority of the Commissioners declare that they lack precise elements to identify on what objects the ships fired, but the Commissioners unanimously recognised that the boats of the flotilla committed no hostile act, and the majority of the Commissioners, being of the opinion that there was no torpedo boat either among the trawlers or on the spot, the fire opened by Admiral Rojdestvensky was not justifiable."

Both governments accepted the report and Russia agreed to indemnify the relatives of the victims and all others concerned.

Source:

DICTIONARY OF DISASTERS AT SEA DURING THE AGE OF STEAM 1824 - 1962 CHARLES HOCKING F.L.A.

Vol I A - L

Lloyds Register of Shipping 1969