1889
This has been an eventful week in the fisherhomes of Fife, refitting boat and tackle for the Shetland seas. It has been especially so in Cellardyke, which is to send a hundred sail – Just one half of the herring fleet, but pittenweem shore is telling the same tale with twenty boats, and you so far get the echo at least in the five or six at St Monans. The principle is the same as in the Scottish Seas – that is the skipper, with his mate and perhaps another, provided with fifty to sixty nets, worked with the help say of three sturdy sons of the heather, known as half dealsmen. As a rule the crews will live Jack afloat – that is, on board of the boat fitted today with every comfort in the way of beds, cooking stoves, &c. and then, if it is ever to be summer at the Isles, it is when, as we heard one veteran tell, ‘I could see to read my big printed Testament on the deck at the turn o the nicht’ There will be two or three fife boats at the leading points in the hundred Isles, but the principle leading points will be the Sound of Balta, so contiguous to the Herring Sea on which some crews, we observe, will drift, as in the English Coast – that is, with the top of the net kept like a wall with its beading of cork, while others seek the same end by stones along the foot of the lint, though in either case the nets will float within a fathom or two of the surface. Seeing there is little fear of any collision in these lonely seas. ‘I was sae gled tae get yer letter’ we heard a half-dealsman, springing as you may have seen as a St Bernard to his master, so as to sail on Monday, though others have yet so much to do at the triangles or with that tar brush that they will not be able to cross the bar on the outward tack till another week. ‘I hope’ writes one from mid yell, ‘that you will be with us as soon as you can’ bait was fished with so much success at the Haaf that a big shoal is evidently not far at sea. The quality is also very fine, and, according to latest news from the Lewis a few early cargoes would do well in the German Market.
A melancholy case of suicide happened at Stirling last Friday, but owing to the great reticence of the Police authorities and those interested in it, the details did not become known until Saturday. The person concerned was a young lady called Miss Christina Paterson Danks, She was a teacher at Cellardyke, and came to Stirling a few days ago for rest, staying at 13 Nelson place with a widow lady named McDowall. Miss Danks, who was 26 years of age, was, it I said, engaged to a young gentleman who lodged in the same house, and at whose desire she took up her residence in the town. Nothing peculiar was noted about her conduct, though she complained of sleeplessness. On Friday forenoon she went out walking, when she seemed to be in good spirits. On returning to her apartments Miss Danks lay down on a sofa. This was about two o clock, and was apparently the last time she was seen alive. At half past two Mrs McDowall heard a loud thud on the floor of the bedroom occupied by the gentleman previously mentioned, who was at the moment out attending to his professional duties. She straightway rushed to the room and noticed blood trickling under the door, which required a good deal of pushing before it opened. On stepping into the chamber the land lady found the doorway in a pool of blood. Mrs McDowall at first thought she had burst a blood vessel, and summoned assistance, a neighbour answering the call. Closer examination, however, revealed the fact that the unfortunate lady had cut her throat with a razor and was quite dead. Her fellow lodger was at once apprised of what had occurred. The deepest sympathy is shown towards him and Miss Danks’s relations in the distressing event that has suddenly overtaken them. There can be no doubt that the deed was done while the lady’s mind was temporarily unhinged through insomnia. As was to be expected the matter has caused a painful sensation in Stirling, where one of the persons connected with it is well known, and occupies a responsible public position.
1890
To Fishermen – To Fishermen
The only satisfactory Petticoat Trousers as a security against water are..
The Patent Keep-Me-Drys,
Sent post free for 3s 10d. Don’t miss this chance; this month only
And the best fishing float is
The Patent Canvas Fishing Float
Manufactured only by
Black and CO
Cellardyke Oilskin Factory, Fife
1893
CELLARDYKE. Alleged Furious Driving.— James Keith, fishcadger, pleaded not guilty at Cupar Sheriff Court on Wednesday to charge driving a horse and spring cart on 6th May in a furious and reckless manner along East High Street and Church Street, Buckhaven, the danger of the lieges on the street. His trial was fixed for Tuesday first.