1877 Fife Herald Thursday June 28th page 3
New Boats for the herring Fishery – The Fifeshire herring fleet, which within a month will contribute the finest element of the great gathering on the Scottish coast has just had a notable addition in the sea beauty turned out the other day from the far famed yard of William Jarvis. The owner Mr William Smith Black of Cellardyke has called her after one of the heathen graces – that is the ‘Euphrosnya’. Another of these floating pictures is all but ready in the same yard. Like her consort she is ranks in the first class and would register over twenty tons, she is to have the appropriate christening of ‘Mon Ami’ and really in the blackening East one could not wish for a trustier friend than this gallant little craft, which is owned by Skipper Thomas Reid , also of Cellardyke. Mr William Fulton has likewise completed on his premises on Pittenweem shore a smart looking deep sea boat for Mr John Robertson who this way steps to the front amongst other young skippers of Cellardyke. In addition to these our local fleet will also be strengthened by the addition of the Montrose boat the ‘Georgina Anderson’ purchased by Mr Thomas Pratt. Three new boats are also under contract for the same seat namely the ‘Gem of the Sea’ for skipper Charles Marr, the ‘Hope’ for Skipper William Watson ; and the third for Mr James Jack which are all to take part in the herring chase of the forth coming Lammas.
1878
As the deep sea going boat Six Brothers of Cellardyke, Skipper John Dickson, was out on the fishing cruise last week, the crew espied a water logged yawl, which, on being baled dry proved to be the Aberdeen Pilot boat No.3 upset while racing in the bay about five weeks ago. The yawl was picked up in the offing of the Bell Rock, having drifted far to the southward, but, notwithstanding her lengthened exposure to the accidents of the sea, she appears to be little of at all worse as she now lies on Anstruther Beach in charge of Mr Pearson, of the customs, as receiver of the wreck for the district.
1879
On Tuesday last as Cellardyke beach was ringing over the launch of the big herring boats- facilitated as usual by the agency of steam- an exciting incident occurred, showing that care and caution cannot be too much attended to on these occasions. The boat carriage was being dragged along by the traction engine when a little boy of about 11 years of age, son of the late skipper Watson, who perished in the autumn on the Norfolk coast, fell in front of the ponderous wheel. More than one bystander shut his eyes to conceal what seemed to be the inevitable fate of the little martyr, but at the last moment, and with singular presence of mind his little companion, Peter Murray, pulled him so far aside that the wheel rolled along, but not over his body. His hand, however, was caught and dreadfully crushed, but under the circumstances his escape with life was little else than a miracle.
1880
On Wednesday Forenoon as a boy of 11 years of age, son of Alex Watson (Murray) was amusing himself on board his father’s boat, the Wave, of Cellardyke, the boat, by the giving way of the supports or shores fell suddenly over upon her bilge. So violent was the movement that the poor little fellow was jerked out like a ball upon the sands. But this was the least of his misfortunes, as next instant the big foremast was thrown upon his prostrate body. He was at once conveyed home, but the injuries as such as to inspire the most serious uneasiness for the issue.
1881
Alexander Keith, fish dealer from Cellardyke, was charged with cruelty to a horse, by working it in a loaded cart in Overgate, on 8th June, while the animal was in a state of general debility, and unfit for work. The accused said he was guilty. Then he stated that he bought the horse from. ‘Willie Leaburn’ that morning, and yoked it in a cart to go to Lochee with 3cwt of herring. It was kind o’ shaky on its legs but it appeared to be alright. (Laughter) Mr Dewar said that the cart was loaded with fish, and four or five men on the cart selling the fish. The accused- there was only twa hunderweight and a half o’ herrin’, and three men and a bell on the cart. (Renewed laughter.) Bailie Perrie sentenced the accused to pay a fine of 10s 6d with the option of seven days in prison.
1882
There was a charge of breach of the peace, committed on the morning of the last Sabbath of May, by William Millar, carter and Thomas Keay, fisherman, both of Cellardyke and two young seafaring men of St Monans, named Thomas Hutt and James Reekie. The first two pleaded guilty; but the St Monans men roundly asserted their innocence, when Police Constables Sparks and Martin deponed to the charge. It appears from the evidence that for a considerable time the younger sea gallants of St Monans have been in the custom of serenading the girls of Cellardyke. A collision in this way had taken place between the strangers and the young men of the town; but on the morning in question the outcry was such as to draw the Constables to the spot where the scuffle was going on. Hutt flatly denounced the evidence of Constable Sparks, ‘It is a lie sir’ for which, of course he was sharply reproved by the bench. Notwithstanding the protestations of the two, the charge was found proven, and the four panels were each and all fined the sum of 10s. In passing sentence, Provost Watson said that frequent complaints had been made to him about the manner in which the young fishermen of St Monans conducted themselves in these Saturday night visits, and which he regretted all the more, seeing that the fishermen of the east Of Fife were as one and the same community, and it became them, though in different towns to live as neighbours and friends.