1880
Two Cellardyke boats, The Margarets, David Davidson, master, and the Flower of the Forest, John Stewart, master, were caught in what seemed to be the vortex of the storm in the offing off Burnmouth on Friday afternoon, these boats had escaped into Holy island from the storm of the previous night, but a new and worse peril now assailed them, as the last sail had scarcely been taken in when the squall was upon them like the sweep of a hurricane. One hope was left, the anchor might hold, and this was being done as men work on the verge of despair, when the fishermen of Eyemouth, in the true spirit of the sea, launched one of their big boats in order to help the struggling crews. It was a critical moment, but, with four of the rescue party in each of the boats, sail was once more made for the harbour. The old port and the cliffs were crowded with spectators as the little craft came driving through scud and foam – now on the port, now on the starboard tack, and all but overborne in the wrestle with the gale. Once, indeed, the struggle had all but ended. The Margarets was shooting past with the grim hurkers white with foam on the lee, when the sheet parted, and with it seemingly the last chance for one and all. More than one brave man turned to take a farewell look at sea and sky, but thanks to the Providence which had lead the Eyemouth men to the rescue, for now, with a pilot at the helm, the boat was threaded, as through the eye of a needle, to a safe offing, and eventually into the harbour, where her consort had also in the meantime, made a good landing. Nor did the kindness of the people of Eyemouth end till every comfort had been provided for our wet and weary crews.
A petition was submitted to Anstruther Harbour board by 56 Cellardyke skippers, asking to replace the leading lights, as being absolutely necessary for the safe navigation of the harbour…. The committee was instructed to meet with a deputation of the fishermen to fix their precise situation and bearing
1881
Thursday was observed as the fast day in the Parishes of East Anstruther and Kilrenny. There was also a service in the Free and Mission services. As a rule, there was a Sabbath like air about the coast; indeed the only work actively engaged in was the demolition of the old Town House in Cellardyke.
1882
A meeting of the master bakers of the East of Fife was held in the Royal Hotel, Anstruther on Saturday evening. The trade was well represented – Mr Morris, ex provost of Earlsferry being in the Chair. The question of the night was the misunderstanding which led the other week to a reduction of the 4lb loaf to sixpence in Anstruther and Cellardyke, while elsewhere it was and still is being retailed at 6 1/2d, the initiative it appears to have been taken by one of our local bakers, who justifies the step by the allegation that certain of his brethren had in breach of faith given a present in the way of cakes to their customers. The point was keenly, we may almost say hotly discussed at the meeting, but we understand no compromise or arrangement could be come to, so that the anomaly as regards the price of the ‘Staff of Life’ continues with us as before.
1883
Mr Williamson, MP speaking on Saturday evening at Cellardyke mentioned that he had done all he could to have a light for the Carr rocks. He had been told that there would be a lighthouse on the land provided with apparatus for signalling during fog.
This was part of a greater meeting
Mr Williamson concluded by quoting statistics relative to crime and liquor licences in Fife (excluding Kirkcaldy which had a separate jurisdiction) there were 1032 crimes committed in the county the previous year, or one for every 138 inhabitants.. In thirteen of the parishes there were 250 licences or one for every 168 inhabitants and the convictions were 578 or one for every 73 inhabitants.,,,in six parishes there were no licences and only two convictions, or one for every 1600 of the population.
1884
Great sensation has been caused in the fishing town of Cellardyke by the Elopement of a married fisherman named Robert Cunningham (Wood) belonging to Cellardyke with a married woman. It appears that Cunningham while at the Shetland fishing in Baltasound in June got very intimately acquainted with a woman who was working at a curing station. At the end of that time the boat in which he was engaged left for Anstruther, and after a short interval proceeded to the fishing in Aberdeen. Near the end of September the crew went to Lowestoft for the herring fishing, where it seems, that Cunningham was joined by the woman, who, it is alleged, had been refused admittance into her husband’s house after he had made inquiries as to her conduct at Balta Sound. At Lowestoft the two cohabited and at the close of the fishing, Cunningham refused to go home in the boat with the rest of the crew. However, they went off without him, and nothing more was heard of him until yesterday, when a telegram was received by his wife stating that Cunningham accompanied by the woman in question had left the country, but giving no information as to their destination. On inquiries being made by Mrs Cunningham the whole story came out, and yesterday two fishermen left Anstruther for Lowestoft to make an endeavour to find Cunningham. Besides his wife, the runaway left four children.
1885
16th Dec the Robinson Crusoe Statue was unveiled, made by Mr T Stuart Burnett.. a procession consisting of two men on horseback representing Crusoe and Man Friday was followed by Largo Brass band and then the guests, and a further procession of bobbin winders, guarders , other net workers from the Cardy works, the fishermen and fisher lasses of Largo accompanying the fishing boat ‘ Robinson Crusoe’ mounted on a cart, fish cadgers, boat builders and finally the cork cutters —- representing Cellardyke amongst the guests was Bailie Martin
Arbroath – A very large boat the Hawarden Castle, of Cellardyke came in windbound. She is the largest boat ever seen in our harbour… possibly KY 346 and only 56ft of keel..