1871
The electors of the burgh of Kilrenny were convened by Provost Martin for the purpose of nominating councillors. There are upwards of 350 electors, but only about twenty were present, though this small attendance is readily explained by the absence of more than three fourths of the fishermen at the English fishery. The Provost also referred to the local improvements since the burgh was reformed three years ago by the last Reform Bill, such as the greenstone causeway on the main street, the reconstruction of Forth Street and the opening of a money order and telegraph office in Cellardyke…… Provost martin then alluded to a silly and impertinent remark which had appeared in an obscure local print to the effect that a more central lock up was especially desirable for Cellardyke, ‘from whence, sometimes a good many offenders against law have to be conveyed’ he was well aware the statement was as unfounded as it was offensive, but he (the Provost) had taken the trouble to enquire at Police Constable MacKay about the number of committals in the lock up from Cellardyke, when the constable informed him last year there were none but ‘Jamie Sma’’ (laughter and applause)….
1874
James Myles carter, Cellardyke, was placed at the Bar charged with having assaulted a fisher boy, named William Fleming, by striking him a blow on the head with his whip shaft. He pleaded not guilty, when evidence was adduced by the Fiscal, according to which a group of boys had been amusing themselves at ‘Sharp and Murray’s corner’ at a game of bowls, when the accused, as the youngsters thought, wantonly interfered with play. The injury was resented by a running fire of ‘glaur’ when, in a moment of irritation, to see his clean jacket besmeared with mud, Myles had dealt the boy a ‘staggering’ blow on the head. Amongst the witnesses was the complainer’s father, Thomas Fleming, who testified to the severity of the assault, which th magistrates found proven, and the charge being aggravated by a previous conviction, Myles was sentenced to 15s fine or 15 days in Cupar jail.
1876
John Alexander Millar, boat builder, Cellardyke, was examined in bankruptcy before Sheriff Bell yesterday. The bankrupts liabilities are stated at £50, and his assets at 3102 14s 4d. After examination by Mr Johnston, agent for the creditors, the statutory oath was administered.
Aberdeen – The Humane Society’s medal for saving life was awarded to Robert Tarvitt, fisherman, Cellardyke, for rescuing a boy from the harbour.
1878
Another Cellardyke fisherman drowned at Lowestoft.
Again the wild winds are sighing the sorrows of the sea, and in the old home the big tear is falling over the hopes and joys buried for ever in the deep. In this case the victim is Andrew Lyall one of the crew of the Cellardyke boat Cyprus, owned by his brother in law, Skipper John Watson, which, like the others of the Scottish fleet sailed from Lowestoft for the herring sea on the course of Monday. The weather was and had been threatening; but cheered by the rising prospects of the fishing the boats had faced the terrors of the night, when the squall once more burst upon them with all the fury of the hurricane. It was in the hour of the wildest conflict with wind and sea that the Cyprus while standing into the land was struck by a tremendous wave, which buried the decks in the bosom of the roaring cataract. The gallant boat bounded like a mighty wrestler from the grasp of her enemy, and each brave man breathed a thankful prayer for his deliverance; but there was one hero the less after that terrible ordeal. It was the sad old story, a strong hand is struck in an instant from its last life hold, and sent to battle, without a chance or possibility of rescue, in the jaws of death, where, perchance, the drowning cry is heard, but scarce heard, ere all is hushed for ever in the silence of the grave. The disaster occurred about four o clock on Tuesday Morning, and in the course of the day the fatal news were telegraphed to Cellardyke where the deceased, who is about 60 years of age, leaves a widow to bewail his loss. Andrew Lyall was a fine specimen of a Scottish Fisherman – strong and resolute as the element, at once his cradle and his grave, but withal as earnest and peace-loving, as sympathetic and true, as the needle which so often guided him through the darkness and the storm; and both on the old shore and amongst his comrades on the far away cruise his untimely fate has excited on all sides a general burst of sorrow and regret.
Some five and twenty years ago a new boat in the Anst’er building yard was an incident to be talked of at the market cross and kirk-stile but with unqualified pleasure we now observe that scarcely a month comes and goes without bringing an addition to the matchless deep sea going fleet of the East Neuk of Fife. The latest and in many ways the most interesting of these is the real sea fairy just waiting to step into the dance, under the kindly hand of our enterprising townsman, Mr Wm Jarvis. She makes no fewer than seventy eight boats on the first class register built by Mr Jarvis since the old brae rang with the music of his mallet; but besides the interest which always attaches to the youngest of the family, the new boat will be regarded as the very paragon and perfection of a Scottish Fishing Craft. In point of size she is inferior to the famous herring smacks or luggers of Yarmouth, which are sixty feet long with a register measurement of 40 tons or more; but in other respects as was so signally borne out by the remarkable success of the Fife boats on the Norfolk sea, the English owners, like the English fishermen would profit much by a leaf from the book from their cousins from Scotland. The craft now under notice is to the order of Mr James Brunton, of Cellardyke and is all but forty nine feet in length, seventeen in beam and will measure more than 30 tons. Another sister built within the year, was all the talk on Lowestoft Bridge by the unprecedented run from St Monance elbow of just one and thirty hours, and the old salt as he scans the graceful shear and gallant bearings of the new craft, will be at little loss for ‘the reason why’ and in the freshening gale our Anstruther Clippers take and keep the weather gage in the exulting race. But while able to spread their wings, while less powerful sea birds are crippled or halt in the storm – these crafts are also distinguished by their ample stowage or accommodation under hatches – a matter of the most urgent consequences, when we remember that on one and the same voyage, the deep sea going boats are occasionally freighted, both with the herring drift and white fishing tackle, either of which would more than choke the gear chamber 20 years ago. We also turn with much interest to the superior accommodation for the crew, which is here so roomy and well fitted as to make the boat in every sense a floating home not for a run but for weeks and months together as in the Lammas drave or the Shetland Cod fishery, in which, we hear, Skipper Brunton and some other energetic sea brothers of the coast after the lent of the ensuing spring.
The distressing intelligence was received in the end of last week that an Anstruther sailor, named John Duff, one of the crew of the Cellardyke herring boat belonging to James Tarvit, now fishing at Yarmouth has been accidentally drowned in the River.
Yesterday a telegram was received in Anstruther intimating that Alexander Watson, owner and master of the Cellardyke Fishing boat Star, had that morning been washed overboard and drowned off Lowestoft. The deceased was about 50 years of age, leaves a widow and five young Children. This is the third Cellardyke fisherman drowned since the boats left Anstruther for Lowestoft and Yarmouth 6 weeks ago,
1879
A Yarmouth telegram was received in Anstruther on Sabbath with the mournful tidings that Alexander Brown, one of the crew of the Herring boat Mayflower of Cellardyke had died there at an early hour that morning from the effects, as it seems of exposure and fatigue at his stormy calling. The unfortunate mariner was about 48 years of age and up to the fatal voyage looked the very picture of hale and robust manhood. He leaves a widow and 6 children to mourn his loss. His elder brother bailie Brown left to superintend the funeral….. The seafaring men at Yarmouth – whether from the shores of the Forth or elsewhere attended in large numbers… (Brown had been in the Hope… the first East Neuk boat to prosecute the Yarmouth Fishery in 1863)