1900
Satisfied Scotties-The Crews of the Scotch fishing-boats that have returned home express themselves as well satisfied with the results of their East Coast herring voyage. The highest earnings by the boats from the Fife meet were taken by the Vanguard of Cellardyke, which had over £600. The Burghead boats average £460, and several have between £600 and £700. The Arbroath crews also report that they have done well at Yarmouth.
Private Fergus Hughes, of H Company Black Watch, writing to his father Pittenweem from Ladybrand, of date 22nd October last, says:-“The last time I wrote I was at Winburg. We left there and went south, when we fell in with some Boers and caught them napping. We took 30 of their waggons. They then went north, and that changed our direction, too. We turned about and chased after them, and chased them up the Walsh River, where we halted for three days waiting orders. On the last day we were there, a heavy dark cloud came over our camp, which sent forth four peals of thunder accompanied by lightning. One of the flashes struck our camp, killing one man and injuring four others. It was the worst sight ever I saw. The man killed was struck by the lightning on the head. It knocked the crown out of his hat, and, passing down through his body, carried off the soles of his boots, the uppers being left intact on his legs. One of the four injured was not expected to recover; but the other three – were not quite so bad. Where they were struck they had no feeling. All the men hurt belonged to A and B Companies, who were about 15 yards from my Company (H). I do not think that one hundred 5-inch guns could have made more noise than that thunder did.
We next went to Kroonstad and trained for Bloemfontein, where we stopped for one night, and who should I meet but John Bayne of Cellardyke. I was surprised when I met him, and went to his shop and roomed with him. I had long talk of the old home, &c. I told him that when he wrote to let you know that we had met, and that his mother would have to excuse me for not writing, having little time. After leaving Bloemfontein we went across to Ladybrand, and now H Company is six miles out of town, stuck on the top of hill. The rest of the regiment is quartered in town. We are not doing much marching now, hut we have plenty of duty – one night in bed and the other in outpost”
1902
Anstruther – . Launch. There was launched from the boatbuilding premises of Mr Millar on Monday a large first-class fishing boat, built to the order of Mr W. Reid, Cellardyke. As she left the weighs, she was named the “Elsie Reid” Miss Jeannie Reid, daughter of the owner, performed the christening ceremony. The boat, which is an excellent model, will ready for the coming winter fishing, which commences in January. N.B She was Registered ML 117
1903
The reconstruction of Cellardyke Harbour is almost completed, but to make the place safe it is felt that a concrete jetty 72 feet long is required. Already £537 has been locally collected for the harbour repair, and grants received to the amount of £1284, but the total cost, including the jetty, will be £2114. As the district has subscribed considerably more than fourth, Kilrenny Council hopes the Fishery Board will give another £3oo, and application for this being made. (The harbour was destroyed in a storm about 5 years earlier)
1904
George Richards, booking clerk, N.B.R. Station, youngest son of Skipper David Richards. Pittenweem, is to be married on Wednesday, 14th December, to Miss Ruvie, Cellardyke.
CELLARDYKE HARBOUR CONTRACT. CLAIM AGAINST KILRENNY TOWN COUNCIL. The record was closed yesterday, and parties ordered to be heard on 8th December, in the action raised against the Town Council of Kilrenny, being the harbour authority for Cellardyke Harbour, by Messrs Adam & Co, contractors, Glasgow, for the balance due on their account under the contract for work at the harbour amounting to £166 5s 8d, the sum of £13 for lighting the harbour, and £217 12s of additional claims.
In their answers respondents state that the contract contained no weather clause, and the petitioners undertook the risk of delay arising through unfavourable weather or otherwise. They explained that they took the whole of the year 1903 and six months of 1902 to complete the work. They admitted that during the progress of the works several alterations were made on the original plans, and that during the execution of the works part of the work, executed was occasionally washed away and had to be rebuilt. For pursuers—Mr R. O. Pagan, W.S., Cupar; for respondents—Mr J. E. Grosset, Cupar.
1905
ANSTRUTHER. The Return of the Boats.—A telegram was received in Anstruther on Wednesday stating that the Cellardyke boat Lillian Scott (Skipper Philip Gardner) had landed take 120 crans Yarmouth. The fish were sold 23s 6d per cran, the catch therefore bringing up the boat’s total earnings by £140. Several of the boats have already arrived home from the south, while others experienced heavy weather, and so put into Shields. A number are expected home the end of the week.
Nursing Lecture.— The first of course of six lectures on nursing promoted by the County Council Technical Education Committee was given by Nurse Macdonald in Cellardyke Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Provost Black introduced Nurse Macdonald to good audience, and a very interesting and instructive lecture was delivered.
Wreck or the Cornucopia.— On Saturday the Fishery Baud cruiser Brenda arrived off Anstruther, and reported that a mast had been observed sticking out of the water about 11 miles south of the North Carr Lightship. After several attempts two masts, crutch, blocks, and ropes were recovered and taken to Granton. It is supposed that the wreckage belongs the Cellardyke fishing boat, Cornucopia (Skipper Thomas Bett), which was sunk near the Carr by H.M.S. Speedwell, in February last.
1906
On Friday and Saturday fully 30 of Cellardyke fishing fleet which have been at the Yarmouth and Lowestoft herring fishing returned home. Compared with last year the return for their labours has bee-n small. The season the start promised well, but latterly the weather broke, and the sailing vessels could not get the fishing prosecuted. Their earnings range from £40 £360. The steam fishing vessels, the other hand, have been able to fish all the season, which has proved very successful to them. The highest was £1100 and the takings range from that figure down £200. They have still a week or two to go, and a big increase in their drawings may be looked for.
1909
CARNEGIE HERO FUND TRUSTEES GRANT AWARDS
FOR ACTS OF BRAVERY.
Carnegie Hero Fund Trustees, at their monthly meeting at Dunfermline granted a large number awards for acts of bravery. The awards included the following:- ………. Robert Brown, Cellardyke, received £5 for rescuing a boy from the Harbour there.