1848
MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE AT CELLARDYKE.
We very readily give insertion to the following communications regarding the late melancholy catastrophe in the hope that the attention of the benevolent may be thus called the destitute condition into which many are thrown by this disastrous event:—
To the Editor of the Fife Herald
Balcarres Nov 14 1848
Sir, —May I request that you will be kind enough to insert the enclosed letter your journal? It is an answer to inquiries respecting the late melancholy event at Cellardyke, and is from a source which perfect reliance may be placed.
By giving it publicity, it may the mean be the means of interesting the benevolent in the fate of these sufferers thrown Providence upon the protection the more fortunate, those still in the possession of blessings winch they have lost.
The clergyman of the parish, another gentleman, and myself, will see to the distribution of any funds which may be subscribed. The British Linen Company and Commercial Bank have kindly offered to take charge of any monies subscribed— Believe me, very faithfully yours,
James Lindsay.
The “John and Mary,” fishing-boat of the largest class, belonging Cellardyke, John Smith, master, with a crew of eight men, went to sea at two o’clock on Friday morning the 3rd instant.
The weather came very stormy, with heavy squalls, and the sea running very high, that many the boats were in great danger. As the John and .Mary has not since been heard of, and some articles connected with boat were seen floating at sea that morning, and several other articles belonging the missing boat have been driven on shore, there is every reason to conclude that either she must have been run down by a vessel, or gone down in squall.
By this melancholy event eight industrious fishermen have been drowned, leaving six widows and twenty two children to mourn their loss. The particular circumstances of each of the bereaved families are follows : John Smith, master and owner of the boat, left a widow and four children, the eldest five years, the youngest seven months.
James Fleming, left a widow pregnant, besides seven children from two to sixteen years old.
Henry Reid left a widow and seven children, five of whom are under fourteen years, the youngest being born on the same morning on which the father perished.
Thomas Fleming, left widow and six children, four whom are from nine to sixteen years old. A son Thomas Fleming perished along with his father.
James Dick, left widow and two children, eldest five years.
David Birrell left widow, supposed to be pregnant.
James Dickson, unmarried.
From personal knowledge of each particular ease, I can say that the crew were sober industrious men, some them the most respectable of their class ; and, while some of the widows are not so destitute as be entitled to parochial relief, yet most of them are without any means for present support, and, especially while suffering under the pressure of such a heavy calamity, cannot be expected to be able to do anything for themselves or their families ; and if by any means a small sum could be raised for relief of their present necessities, it would be thankfully received.
James Fowler.
Subscriptions for the widows and orphans the fishermen of John and Mary fishing-boat, lost sea in the Frith of Forth, on Friday the 3rd November 1843.
George Dickson, £1
James Fowler,. 50s
Collection at the United Presbyterian Chapel, £3 12 s
John Marr, 2s
John Leckie 2s 6d
John Smith, 7s 6d
James Lindsay, . £8
Lord Lindsay, £ 5
Lady Lindsay, £2
Mrs Lindsay £2
Sir Coutts Lindsay, £2
Lady Trotter, £2
T. Francis Cust, 50s
1850
CELLARDYKE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That, in Virtue of the Powers contained Act passed in the “Third and Fourth Years of his Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled, An Act to enable Burghs in Scotland to Establish a General System of Police,” the Occupiers of Premises in that part of the Burgh of Kilrenny called Cellardyke, of the Yearly Rent or Value of Ten Pounds sterling and upwards, are hereby required to meet upon Wednesday, the Twenty-Seventh current, at Twelve of the clock Noon, for the purpose of electing one Commissioner in the place of one going out of office, in terms of said Act.
JAMES FOWLER, Chief Manager. Cellardyke, Nov. 13, 1850.
1851
John Black, ferry port on Craig and James Gardner, Cellardyke were fined in the sum of 5s , each for allowing their dogs to go at large.
1855
CELLARDYKE.—Harbour Accommodation.—On Sabbath last, one of our boats was considerably damaged by grounding upon an anchor Anstruther harbour, which had been carelessly put down, without being buoyed. Respecting Anstruther harbour, generally, it may be said, that the alterations now being made on the east pier, are likely to be a source of considerable annoyance to our Cellardyke fishermen, especially if the steamer is to have her berth at the new pier as is proposed. If the fishermen were at all unanimous, they might soon be quite independent of Anstruther for harbour accommodation, as in a very few years, and almost without any sacrifice on their part, funds might be raised for providing themselves with a harbour at ” Craignoon,” a locality which is allowed by all hands to be among the best for safe and deep water harbour that could be found on the coast, and where abundance of material could be found on the spot. We glad to see some movings in this direction, at present amongst them; and we think, from the present prosperous state of the fishing, also from the large increase of boats belonging to the town, and from the more confined accommodation at Anstruther, there never was more suitable time to commence a scheme for our fishermen providing themselves with a harbour, which could taken at all states of the tide, and all kinds of weather. We have no doubt, whatever, that if the fishermen themselves were to enter upon such proposal with energy, subscriptions to a very large amount would be readily obtained.
1858
Farm in the East of Fife to Let
To be let for 19 years and entered to at Martinmas next.
The farm of Barnsmuir in the Parish of Kilrenny, containing about 200 and seventy five imperial acres or there by.
The lands are furrow drained, and subdivided, are all of good quality and are capable of producing all kinds of crops. They are well situated for roads, manure and markets, being distant from the shipping town of Crail about one mile, and from the town and shipping port of Anstruther, about three miles, where a weekly Corn Market is held, and from whence steamers proceed to Leith three times a week.
……..
Ample supplies of towns manure and fish offal may be obtained at Anstruther and Cellardyke and the farm has the right to th sea weed cast upon its shores.
1860
Summary Trial.—On Tuesday last, Adam Thomson, carter. Anstruther Easter, was placed at the bar of the Sheriff Court, charged with the crime of assault, in so far as on 18th October last, he did, within his own house in Anstruther Easter, assault Margaret Ritchie, and did with his fist strike her a number of severe blows the face, and one of her eyes, and knocked her to the ground, and did seize hold of her by the hair of her head and drag her about, whereby she was seriously bruised and wounded, and lost the sight one of her eyes: Farther, Thomas Robertson cooper, Cellardyke, having interfered to prevent further violence, Thomson struck him a blow a severe blow on the face, by which he was injured in his person. Thomson, who was defended by Mr Davidson, pled not guilty, but on proof being led. Sheriff Taylor found him guilty of assaulting Margaret Ritchie, and sentenced him sixty days’ imprisonment, and the charge of assaulting Robertson not proven. It appeared from the evidence that Thomson was in a state of intoxication when committed the assault, and as it was a very serious one, the Sheriff sentenced him to the longest term of imprisonment he could inflict in the Summary Court.
1862
During the past eight days the weather has proved very favourable for seafaring purposes. The boats have been regularly at sea, and their success, it is gratifying to add has been highly encouraging. The fish, however, still continue small irregular in size, which has caused considerable variation in prices – haddocks frequently selling on the same day from 9d to 3s per dozen; cod, from to 1s to 2s 6d each, and other fish in proportion. This season, all our local or Cellardyke boats have been exclusively engaged in white fishing, although in many of the newspapers they are reported as among the trawlers who resort to St Andrews Bay. It true, that when this mode of fishing was introduced here about fourteen years since by Rothsay fisherman, who practised it with great success in the “Frith,” several Cellardyke fishermen were the first to adopt a system which then seemed both legitimate and profitable. A short experience, however, convinced them of their error, and some years since – much to their credit – it was voluntarily abandoned and the whole of their trawling apparatus sold.
On Saturday afternoon last, as the schooner Elizabeth of Aberdeen, on her passage from that port to Wemyss, was tacking in the offing of Caiplie—a gale at the time prevailing from the eastward—she missed stays and was driven ashore. Fortunately this occurred at a point of the coast which was much sheltered, and the weather becoming more moderate in the course of the next tide, she was floated off and taken into Crail harbour, apparently little the worse of the mishap. The conduct of the fishermen of Cellardyke in this case is deserving of the highest praise, as no sooner was the dangerous position of the vessel observed, than they hastened to render assistance, and to their prompt and active exertions, her safety is in a great measure to be ascribed.
A second report adds
….Thomas Tarvit, at great personal hazard, went on board to aid the crew. On the tide receding, the crew abandoned the vessel, considering her wreck inevitable; but mainly by the skilful exertions Tarvit, and the weather becoming more moderate, she was floated off in the course of the next tide, and taken into Crail Harbour…..
1865
The Lifeboat. -Some disappointment has been felt for a week or two past, in consequence of the lifeboat not having been sooner despatched to this quarter. It was announced that the boat bad been fully completed, and was ready for transmission about a month ago; and rumour has been often at fault as to the day when she was to arrive at the railway station, it is now confidently reported, however, that she may be daily expected. The lifeboat house is being proceeded with as rapidly as the unsettled weather will admit. A day or two of good weather is still needed to complete the mason work, but any delay that may take place will not embarrass the committee, as temporary accommodation has been obtained for the lifeboat in Mr Hepburn’s fish curing premises. The feeling prevalent amongst the Cellardyke fishermen warrants the expectation that an enthusiastic reception will be given to the boat, which will probably be drawn with a crew of gallant fellows on board and in full sea going order from the railway station to the east end of Cellardyke. The procession, of course will lose much of its effect if the Volunteer band be absent and to secure their services, it is to be hoped that a speedy application will be made to Mr Addy, their esteemed major.