1838
Herring-Fishing.—For these last 4 or 5 days a considerable number of boats from this and the adjacent ports of Pittenweem, St Monance, and Cellardyke, have been prosecuting the herring-fishing in the Firth of Forth ; and, from the success they have hitherto experienced, we are led anticipate a more abundant fishing than a cadger drove. We have occasionally seen several boats with upwards of a couple of crans, and some with 5 or 6, and, taking them all in all, we have no hesitation in saying that the Forth fishing, so far as it has gone, has been a more remunerating concern for the fishermen than their friends have met with, by all accounts we can learn, at the different fishing stations in the Moray Firth—a good many quantities of herrings having been disposed of here, at 28s. and 30s. per barrel; and the lowest price of which we have heard having been offered being 24s., and precisely double the highest prices obtained at the north country fishing this season, by boats from Cellardyke. The quality of the fish hitherto taken is decidedly of the most superior order; and we have seen on very few occasions such an extra demand for fish, and such a general desire to make the supply equal to the demand, no fewer than from 70 to 80 boats having this night been counted in the offing the trade. We wish them all cordial success.
A couple of days later higher landings and prices drop
CELLARDYKE, August 7.-There has been a good fishing this morning. Upwards of 100 boats are engaged, and some brought in as high as twenty crans. The cadgers are paying 16s. per cran, and the curers 14s. to 15s. Ten and twelve crans to a boat was a general take this morning.
1839
The previous year’s summer drave had been unprecedented.. (reports appearing in the paper a week after the events)
Cellardyke, Tuesday, July 30—About 80 boats set their nets last night, and the returns this morning are from one to seven crans. The fishing ground about half way between the Isle of May and the Fife shore. Prices 20s per cran.—3lst July. Between and 100 boats compose the fleet this morning. The fishing has been successful for the early period of the season, many boats having taken 12 crans, which they have disposed of at per cran. The fishing has a most promising appearance, on account of the superior quality of the Frith herrings. The fish curers are begun to purchase cure at the above price.
1841
A boat from Broughty ferry, to prosecute the herring fishing , arrived at Eyemouth on Wednesday, bringing along with her a fleet of sixteen herring-nets , which were found drifting in the Cove Bay , with about a fathom of swing attached to them. The letters on the bladders are S.T.J.M, and J .C with C.D. below each name, supposed to be for Cellardyke. How this misfortune has happened none can tell but it is generally supposed that some vessel has run foul of the boat, and the safety of the men is much feared.
1842
ANSTRUTHER, The Lammas herring fishing commenced along the coasts of Fife on Tuesday morning, when appearances were very favourable. Although the first trial for the season, it is certain there is abundance of fish on the coast, from the quantity taken by each boat bringing in less or more, than a few hundreds of herrings to three crans, and the quality is very superior. Considerable preparations are being made; but a number of stations are still to let. The Buckhaven boats made their appearance on Monday evening at the fishing ground. There are sixty boats from Cellardyke.