1851
The herring fishing in the North
Wick – we believe there will be a considerable increase in the number of boats in the district. Last year there were 800, while it is probable we shall have 1000 this season. Amongst others we have 10 from Lossiemouth for the first time, and the numbers from Cellardyke is about doubled…..
1853
The quay wall at Cellardyke has been finished and taken off the contractor’s hands. It has perfectly answered the expectations of the fishermen, and supplies them with a very superior landing place for their fish.
1855
Five young fishermen from Cellardyke were tried before Provost Grieg and Bailie Paterson on Saturday last, for a breach of the peace committed on the previous Saturday night, the pled guilty and were amerced the sum of 7s 6d each or ten days in prison.
1858
The deep sea white fishing in the neighbourhood of Montrose has been very successful lately The Ferryden b oats brought to the various curers in Montrose in the course of a week, upwards of 200 000 haddocks and those from Cellardyke about 35 000, making a total of 235 000. The fish sold I the town have been at price lower than has been reached for the last 14 years. On account of the calm weather the boats have been taken in companies to the fishing grounds by the Montrose steam tug.
1859
The stimulus imparted to fisheries by the rapidity of railways laying the markets of all large towns open to the coats for the supply of fresh fish has raised an urgent demand for deep-water harbours, so that the boats may get in at any time of tide to deliver their catch, and which are also most needful to the safety of the fishermen, who, as yet, have no ports of refuge that can be taken at low water. These considerations have stirred the towns of Anstruther and Cellardyke to unite their common interests, and to move the Board of Fisheries to cooperate with them in erecting a deep water harbour there. Before the fishermen of Cellardyke had consented to waive their claim for a separate harbour, the site of Craignoon, near at hand, had been fixed upon by them and surveyed at their request; but though possessed of some capabilities, it gave no promise of a harbour equal in convenience or accessibility to that of Anstruther improved, and this was perhaps owning to the results of this survey, that the parties saw their real interests lay, not in moving for spate harbours, and thus frittering away their money…..An enlargement of Anstruther harbour with the designation given it of the Union harbour, has been planned by Messrs Stevenson, the engineers of the board, and its design has met with general satisfaction
and approval. The erection of a harbour of this description at Anstruther has been recommended by the Harbour of Refuge Commission, but again the funds are wanting for its execution.
Its estimated cost is £30 000, a large sum to raise, nevertheless, there appears tom be means available for effecting a loan which, with assistance from the board of Fisheries, may, at no very distant day, enable the work to be executed.
1861
CELLARDYKE. Hairbreadth Escape. Monday last. While the fishermen were employed launching their boats for the forthcoming herring fishing, one of their number, named Robert Ritchie, narrowly escaped with his life. While pulling the rope attached to the boat, his foot slipped, and he fell in front of the carriage. Before, its impetus could arrested, one the wheels padded over his shoulder, providentially inflicting no greater injury than dislocating the bone. He was immediately conveyed home, and his recovery is progressing favourably. Although the use of the carriage materially adds to the safety and ease of these operations, yet, from the weight of these large boats, and the long and narrow way over which they are transported, they are still attended with considerable risk, the more especially as they are conducted with that activity and fearlessness which so imminently characterise our fishermen. It is, therefore, greatly to desiderated that more care and prudence were evinced where the safety life and limb are so intimately concerned.
1862
CELLARDYKE. Accident. —On Wednesday last, accident a serious nature occurred to a young woman, named Catherine Pratt, belonging to Cellardyke. She had been assisting the barking of some sails and, while carrying a hand-barrow a tubful of the boiling liquor used for the purpose down a steep lane, at the west end of the town, her foot slipped, and the greater portion the contents were spilled over her person, scalding her, particularly about the arms and shoulders, in a most fearful manner. The unfortunate sufferer lies in a very distressed condition, but hopes are entertained her recovery.
In the course of last week a cat belonging to family in Cellardyke had kittens, one of whom would appear to have been formed when Dame Nature was in frolicsome mood. It had two faces, one on each side of the head, which was unusually large. It appeared to have three eyes, two being so closely joined together as to seem but one. Each nose and mouth (situated directly below the ear) was well formed, as were the other parts of the body. Shortly after birth it was killed by its mother, but it has been carefully preserved a medical gentleman, who, we understand, is to present the Museum of St Andrews College.
1863
On Tuesday forenoon a small pleasure boat, with its sail set, was observed driving towards the rocks not far from St Monans harbour, with apparently no person taking care of it. A young man belong to Cellardyke expecting to obtain it a prize, took off his clothes and swam to it; but great was his surprise when he found man lying fast asleep in its bottom. In a short time two boats full of men had come his assistance and it was taken into harbour. The owner seemed very unfond giving any definite account of himself or cause of his being such a state of torpor.
THE HERRING FISHING.— Monday, several the Cellardyke boats sailed for Gourdon and Stonehaven, and they have since been daily followed by others, as they completed the requisite preparations. This season the number of boats belonging to this district fishing stations will be unusually large, and it is not improbable, should the prospects the fishing all encouraging, that nearly the whole fleet will be induced proceed thither until the shoals have entered the Firth. The lugger Alexandria, which has been lying idle in the since she was abandoned the Cellardyke fishermen, has been fully equipped for the herring fishing, and entrusted to the care an English crew. She has been provided with many as 59 nets, and sailed on Monday evening for her first cruise, the result of which is looked forward to with considerable interest. Large numbers of men—principally from Skye and the Highlands—are now daily arriving by steamer and other conveyances, to fill up, or inquest of, situations as half-dealsmen. It exhibits marked degree the present depressed state of labour in the country that, notwithstanding the deficient fishings of the past two seasons, the supply of hands is likely to be much larger than what will be required, many, indeed, having already been disappointed. A few boats are to make a trial the coast here in the beginning of the ensuing week. Should these, or the boats fishing it the north, meet with any encouragement, a general commencement will soon follow, most of the crews being now well advanced with their preparations.