1863
On Wednesday morning a fisherman belonging to this place named David Moncrieff, on returning from the sea, went into a public house near the harbour, with the rest of the boats crew, for the customary refreshment, and when in the act of raising a glassful of spirits to his lips, suddenly expired. Deceased had been complaining some days previously, but had so far recovered as to be able to resume his employment. He was in the prime of his life and leaves a widow and numerous family. Disease of the heart is reported as the cause of death.
1872
Alarming accident at a sawmill. On Saturday Last, while a fine young lad about fourteen years of age, the Son of skipper William Moncrieff, was in the act of lifting some remnants of wood, which he was about to use in the construction of his partan creels, near one of the revolving screws in the steam mills of Mr Cormack, his arm was caught by the deadly instrument, which, almost as instantaneous as a stroke of lightening, lacerated the limb in a fearful manner. From the copious flow of blood the most lively fears were excited, which were indescribably heightened by the anxious interval of about two hours before a surgeon could be obtained, but eventually Dr McArthur dressed the wound and the poor sufferer is doing as well as could be expected.
1873
A benevolent friend has just forwarded the sum of £20 to Provost Martin to provide a Christmas dinner to the old people and poor of Cellardyke and Kilrenny. The Provost and fellow magistrates resolved to distribute a 4lb loaf and a pound and a half of beef or two pounds in the case of husband and wife, which, it is needless to say will make ‘many a pot boil brown’ which otherwise would have been empty.
1879
As a consequence of the comparative failure of the fishery in the Forth… notice has been given by Mr Cormack to the operatives of his cooperage that wages will be reduced from 20s to 18s a week. Mr Cormack employs about one fourth of the total number of coopers employed in Anstruther and Cellardyke, these being chiefly employed in connection with the white fishery….Journeymen coopers have been reduced to a skeleton corps, as we may say, some five and twenty in all, while in happier years the herring cooperages alone have been ringing with three or four times that number
1887
Following the annual custom Mr J Ritchie Welch entertained the St Andrews Fishermen to soiree concert, and assembly in the St Andrews Town hall on New Year’s Eve. In addition to the 700 or 800 fisher folks belonging to St Andrews there were about 200 fishermen and fisher lassies from Anstruther, Crail, Cellardyke, Pittenweem, St Monance, Auchmithie, Arbroath, Cockenzie and Aberdeen…. The proceedings began about half past six, by Mr Smith Scottish Coast missionary asking a blessing, after which an excellent tea with abundant supply of dainties was served… Mr Welch spoke at some length about the trawling problem…. A strong choir of fishermen and fisher lassies contributed to the evening’s enjoyment and the fishermen’s flute band which was accommodated into the orchestra played one or two selections with great taste. Mr Henry Adamson, Cupar appeared in character and sang a comic ballad with a number of local allusions, a negro melody was likewise sung in character by Mr Driver, who accompanied himself on a banjo, while the singing of Caller Oo by a fisher woman was enthusiastically applauded.. Mr Welch was presented with a bronze clock by the fishermen…. After the concert, the hall was cleared for a dance when Mr Welch with a fisher lass led off the ball. The fishermen in their white shirt sleeves, entered into the spirit of the hour with great zest and led their smiling partners through, quadrilles, lancers, waltzes and highland reels with grace and precision. Not til far on in the small hours did the happy dancers call a halt…..
A serious accident happened at Cellardyke, by which a number of people narrowly escaped with their lives.. Owing to extra heavy traffic, a brake was employed to assist the bus which runs between St Andrews and Boarhills to convey the passengers to the latter railway station.. The bus had broken down and 18 passengers were transferred to the brake which, drawn by a pair of horses was driven off to the station. On-going down a hill, while the driver was in the act of putting on the brake, someone is said to have seized the reigns, which done in a rough manner startled the horses, and they rushed down the hill. At the bottom, where there is a bend on the road the brake was overturned, the whole occupants being thrown out, and more or less seriously injured. The passengers were mostly Cellardyke fishermen, who had been at the ball in St Andrews given by Mr J Ritchie Welch