1826
During the dreadful gale of Thursday 6th April, a Cellardyke fishing boat, The Victory, was lost about six miles to the eastward of the Isle of May, and her whole crew, consisting of eight persons, were unfortunately drowned excepting one man who was picked up by another boat, after remaining about an hour in the water. By this calamitous event four poor widows, and a number of helpless children, totally unprovided for, are left to bewail the loss of their husbands and fathers. Two of the persons who have suffered were lately married, and their widows are pregnant; such as were unmarried were the support of aged parents or of younger brothers and sisters. In short, each of these poor mourning families have a claim in one way or other on the sympathy of the humane; but upon one family the stroke has fallen with peculiar severity; a father and his two sons were among the deceased.
It is well known that the town of Cellardyke contributes greatly to the supply of the Edinburgh market with fresh fish; and when all the circumstances are taken into consideration, it is confidently hoped that this appeal to the benevolent citizens of Edinburgh and Leith, and the public at large, will not be made in vain.
The smallest benefactions will be thankfully received.
The following gentlemen have kindly undertaken to receive subscriptions in Edinburgh and Leith, –
Messrs Ramsay, Bonars and Co
Bankers, Exchange
Mr Forrester, Bank of Scotland
Mr Brash at the North British Insurance
Mr Johnston, the North Bridge
Mr Nairne, Picardy Place
Mr George Forrester – Leith
Mr William Waddell – Leith
Mr Robert Coldstream – Leith
Mr John Mackie – Leith
A committee upon the spot consisting of the Rev Mr Brown, minister of Kilrenny; Messrs James Reekie, Andrew Crawford and John Morris, magistrates of the Burgh; and Mr F Connolly, the town clerk, have agreed to make all exertions in their power for the sufferers, and to see the funds that may be raised properly applied. The following is a list of the boats crew. David Taylor snr, David Taylor Jnr, William Taylor. Robert Pratt, William Peattie, Andrew Heugh, Robert Corstorphine – all drowned. William Pratt Saved.
1830
There was launched, on Friday the 26th Inst from the ground above the Anstruther mills, a large and substantial lighter, from 50-60 tons burthen for Messrs Peebles and Gavine, contractors for Cellardyke Harbour, intended for carrying the stone from the quarry to the harbour. She went off in grand style, and glided down the rived=r Dreel most majestically, through the arch of the bridge that divides the two burghs, with a profusion of colours flying, amidst the deafening cheers of the spectators. The first grain market being held on the same day, the number of spectators (particularly on the bridge) was immense. The harbour improvements are going on with alacrity and spirit – which alike proves the respectability and enterprise of the contractors.
1832
Letter to the Fife Herald Editor
….. Some of our fish curers have their curing premises in the very centre of the town; and it too often happens, that they retain their offals until they become completely putrified; and you need not be told that the smell which then arises from them is not the most agreeable to the olfactory nerves of the inhabitants. In some instances also, the water used in cleaning the fish is thrown put upon the public streets, where it has been known to remain stagnant, until the fishy parties amongst it had regained animation in another form. We submit, therefore, that this is a species of nuisance which calls loudly for the interference of our local authorities. It is not only calculated to engender disease of itself, but should the mysterious visitant appear amongst us (which God in his mercy forbid) it would unquestionably tend greatly to promote and propagate potential ravages. We are of the opinion that the curing of fish, for very palpable reasons, ought always to be conducted close to the sea shore; or where that is totally impracticable, that the curer should be obliged regularly to remove all nuisance from his premises within short stated periods, under a penalty for each neglect. Why should not our fish curers have their premises on the sea beach at Cellardyke, where they procure their fish? We have adduced these observations, in the hope that our Board of Health will take the matter into their serious consideration, and will do what lies in their power for remedying or modifying the evil complained of