1805
In the course of last week a fishing boat belonging to the town of Cellardyke on the East Coast of Fife was upset by a squall of wind, and the whole crew, consisting of six men, were unfortunately drowned. They have left three widows and thirteen young children altogether destitute.
(This was the Nancy , lost were Alexander and Thomas Scott, James Morris, David Rhynd, David Wilson and James Watson)
1830
Advert
A Number of Masons and Labourers wanted for the present harbour improvements at Cellardyke,
Apply to Mr Peebles, Anstruther Wester; or at the Work.
1836
The Royal Eastern Yacht and Regatta meeting, Firth of Forth
Patron – The King
Commodore – His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry……
Races …..
With the view to encourage the fishing and open boats of the Firth, prizes to four oared boats, with a steersman in each, and not less than 5feet beam, belonging to the following sets of Burghs and yowns on the shores of the Forth, will be awardee from a donation by Lord John Scott £5 to the first boat of Each set, £3to the second and £1 to the third, entrance for each boat 5s,
Areas
1. Stirling, Alloa, Kincardine, Culross, Grangemouth, Bo’ness
2. Limekins, Charlestown, Brucehaven, Torrie, South Queensferry, North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, St David’s, Aberdour
3. Burntisland, Kinghorn, Pettycur, Kirkcaldy, Dysart
4. West Wemyss, East Wemyss, Buckhaven, Leven, Largo
5. Elie, St Monance, Pittenweem, Cellardyke, Easter and Wester Anstruther, Crail ,Kilrenny
6. Dunbar, North Berwick, Aberlady, Prestonpans and Cockenzie
7. Musselburgh, Fishherrow, Portobello, Leith, Newhaven, Crammond.
A piece of Plate value 15 sovereigns will be given to six oared gigs rowed by gentlemen, four to start or no race.
A piece of Plate value 10 sovereigns will be given to four oared gigs rowed by gentlemen, four to start or no race.
A prize of 12 sovereigns will be given open sailing boats not exceeding 32 feet in keel, six boats to start or no race.
The sailing and rowing matches will take place in terms of the sailing regulations of the club, and the committee reserve the power to alter the days or hours of the above matches, in case of unfavourable weather or other unforeseen circumstances,
There will be a public dinner in the Royal Exchange Rooms Leith on Tuesday 14th July and half past six o clock; A Ball in the Hopetoun rooms, Edinburgh and distinguished patronage on the evening of Friday the 15th July, an Ordinary, in the Royal exchange rooms, Leith on Saturday 16th at 6.20 and public breakfasts each day at half past ten o clock. Tickets to the dinner ( including wine) 15s, to the Ball 5s, to the breakfast 2s.
1837
I have reported this distressing accident twice so I will not write the whole affair out again..
17 people were reported lost from the fishing boat ‘Johns’ on the annual pleasure trip to the May Island before the fleet left for the herring drave. Three boats had already landed safely but the ‘Johns’ bow struck a rock and the stern swung round and she broached and most of the casualties (who were young women and children), were washed into the sea. There had been about 70 people aboard a 45ft boat. This was a terrible tragedy which there was a public inquest and Skipper Sutherland was admonished as these numbers has regularly been transported on these boats to the May and the skipper had done everything that could be reasonably expected.
1840
A large shoal of herrings has been discovered between the Bell Rock and the Isle of May, and boats that have been fishing for them near the latter island have been uncommonly successful, considering the mode of fishing adopted. One boat came in today with 1000 an other with 600 and a third with 400, caught upon hooks or jiggers, as they are called. Fishing with the net will be commenced next month; and from the number of whales and sea fowl seen eastward of the May, a heavy fishing is looked forward to, at no distant day.
1841
To be sold by public roup, within the town hall of Cellardyke, Sat 17th July 1841, at 2 o clock in the afternoon, if not previously disposed of by Private Bargain.
That large tenement of three storeys, situated upon the Braeheads of Cellardyke and formerly a malt steading, having a malt barn upon the ground floor, and two excellent granaries above, each about 72ft long within walls, together with the large yard behind the same and likewise the kiln presently used as a barn a hay loft. As also that unfinished dwelling house of two Storeys on the north end of the property, and stable thereto attached.
The premises are conveniently situated and adapted for a fish curer. The malt barn and granaries could at once be used as a cooperage and a cellar for storing salt, and the kiln as a smoking house, while the curing yards would be of great extent, and would offer ample room for seds and other necessary erections. The dwelling house is substantially built and covered with blue slates, and could be finished at comparatively little expense.
There is easy access to the property with carts both on the south and north. There is also plenty of water upon the premises.
Further particulars from Archibald Williamson, ship-owner, Anstruther Wester, proprietor.
1842
Wick – A Cellardyke boat, commanded by Alex Pratt, brought on shore the highest take yesterday morning, and the skipper was led to believe that he was entitled to the highest premium awarded by the Chamber of Commerce here; but on inquiry, found it was reserved for native crews alone, who bring the first five crans ashore prior to the 16th of July, to encourage early fishing.
1849
Cellardyke – West Highland Fishing
Our boats which were prosecuting their arduous and laborious avocation at the west highlands left their fishing station there last Wednesday morning week. Two of them arrived home on the Friday evening following, having come by the northward passage, while the remaining one is yet prosecuting her voyage but the less dangerous yet more lengthened passage to the south. It appears from the report circulated by the hardy adventurers themselves that the western coasts of our Islands are not so redundant with treasures of the deep as our own less dangerous coasts. So startling intelligence will perhaps not be credited by those who have taken a lively interest in the scheme, yet it is nevertheless true; but perhaps this year might be an exception to former years. Although the fishing at Cellardyke has been prosecuted with unparalleled success this year, yet there are other years when not half of the money is engrossed, indeed, a considerable number of years since, it was in vain for the fishermen to attempt the capture of haddocks; they were so scarce. Although the fish generally keep their seasons with the strictest and minutest regularity, yet there are exceptions to every rule, and who knows but that the fishing next year might be prosecuted at the West Highlands with an abundant success? Keeping these things in view, we hope that the Highland destitution Board will not be discouraged at this slight blight having fallen on their noble and benevolent theme.
(The committee had engaged 3 boats from Cellardyke and 2 from St Monans regarded as the best fishermen and boats, to see if professional fishermen could kick start an industry in the impoverished West Highlands., they were sent in March, two to Badachro, near Gairloch and 2 to the North Coast of Skye and the fifth to the Island of Soa. To be tempted away from the lucrative home fishing, each Cellardyke man was paid 30s per week and half the fish sold, and each St Monans man 26s per week and half the fish for a three month contract. The weather over this period was very bad. It was difficult to judge if this was a success as there was no incentive for the men to work very hard at the fishing as they had an exceptional guaranteed income.)
1850
On Saturday week a pleasure boat belonging to a person at Dundee was dispatched to Leith in order to be sold. When she started she had three hands on board. Matter went smoothly until she had proceeded up the Forth as far as between Cellardyke and Anstruther, when, in staying, she missed stays, filled by the lee quarter and instantly sunk. The fishermen at Cellardyke and Anstruther having observed the vessel go down, launched their boats simultaneously and vied with each other to save the crew, two of whom were clinging to an oar. They brought them on shore with the utmost promptitude, when the exertion was made for their resuscitation. One of them a young lad, however has since died. Great praise is due to Mr James Fowler, Merchant, for his kindness to the crew and informing the owner. Robert Thomson (Lost presumed drowned) and James Rollo saved, the young lad’s name has not been ascertained.