1870
BIRTHS. At Cellardyke, on the 11th inst., the wife of Mr Cunningham, boatbuilder, of a son.
Nothing can better illustrate the condition of a neighbourhood than the advent of Martinmas term day. In prosperous times business premises, but more especially dwelling-houses, are at once and eagerly inquired after. In dull seasons this is of course just the reverse, as present being experienced in some of the coast towns to extent altogether unexampled. In the two Anstruthers and Cellardyke, which are simply a lesser lang toon of Kirkcaldy, there are fully forty dwellings without tenants this term, and most of these will remain unoccupied for at least six months to come. In West Anstruther this is to a great extent the result of the additional accommodation afforded by Watson Place, where we learn, however, that, notwithstanding all the advantages of being quite new, and so free from dirt and vermin, also a fine situation, and not a farthing of local taxation, three of the ten dwellings are still unlet. We may also state here, significant of the depressed condition of trade in the district, that in East Anstruther within the last six months there have been no fewer than “four mootilight flittins'” by tradesmen or merchants, who have been driven by the circumstances of the times to take clandestine leave of “house and hall” in the East Neuk.
The other day one of “the little daughters of Cellardyke ran breathlessly into the house, which, the way, is situated in the very centre of the town, and next to the shore, with the eager cry—”Eh, mither, Kirsty Rodger’s hen is in oor cellar.” As the said hen was decidedly of a truant character, an order was forthwith given to secure the cellar door, which was as quickly obeyed —a quick footed messenger being the same time sent with the tidings to the worthy neighbour in question. What, however, was the astonishment of all interested, going to the cellar, to find no hen or any other domestic bird, but a fine partridge, which, singular enough, had become effectually “caged” in this out of the wat retreat. Suffice it to say that this “bird of the wilderness” never returned thither again. .
1871
We understand that the wages of the sewing machinists employed in the extensive oil-skin factory of Provost Martin have been raised ls per week, without any solicitation on the part of the employees.
1872
Anstruther. Fishing Boat Damaged. -On Wednesday morning the fishing yawl “Agnes,” of Cellardyke, belonging to Skipper Alexander Jack, was found to have been almost crushed to pieces by having rested beneath some of the large deep seagoing boats which had shifted about during the violent gale which had prevailed over the night. The unfortunate owner is of the opinion that she will not repair, and the mishap the more to be regretted that it threatens to deprive six poor men of what almost to them a bread winner.
Old Fishers at Supper.—One evening the other week our worthy townsman, Mr Thomas Cormack, who has for years past held a leading position amongst the fish-merchants of the Kingdom of Fife, entertained the skippers of his crab and lobster fleet to supper on the occasion of “arleing” them for the next season’s fishing. The social board, which was right royally garrisoned with all manner of good cheer, exhibited a truly pleasant picture, encircled as it was the weather-beaten faces of the “ancient mariners”, everyone looking proud and happy as a king because of the gladness of the heart. Mr Cormack himself presided, and after ample justice had been done to the abounding solid hospitalities on the table, a really happy evening was passed by the veterans talking over the exploits and recollections of other years. The oldest veteran present was a grey-haired sire of fourscore, and it was at once amongst the most interesting and suggestive topics of the meeting to contrast the condition of things as he could so well recall them some seventy years ago, and what they are at the present day. At that time the fathers Cellardyke prosecuted the haddock fishing in fifteen seagoing boats, or rather big yawls, which they berthed under the surf-beaten skerries of Skimfie, instead the convenient piers Anstruther, while in place the welcome voice of “Charlie Mellin” with the offer of a good home market by his worthy employer, Mr Cormack, they had to rely on the honesty of the “coupingcrews” from Fisherow, &c, who were simply kith and kin to the fish-cadgers of our own day. The winter herring and spring great line fishings, with their thousands of English guineas, have become the harvest the of fisher year; but the old fathers had no such “windfalls,” but had to be contented with their miserable “keelin”‘ lines, unless indeed as most of the able-bodied men were in the habit of doing— they left the Straits of Davis on whaling cruise. No branch of the fishing, however, has undergone such revolution as the ” Auld Man’s drave,” as the crab fishing is called by the folks of Crail, as at that day this kind shell-fish could not find a market at any price, though thanks to the railways and such enterprise as that of Mr Cormack’s, the boats are now being engaged for next year at 1s 9d a dozen, while lobsters are to be 1s a-piece. The last illustration, however, of the progress of the world was the curious remark of an old grey beard : “Folks grumble,” said he, ” about dear bread and hard times, but I mind o’ the year ’17 when that thrifty gudewife, Mrs Gasmaws, made every heart glad by sellin’ good oatmeal—it was where the fishery officer now lives—and the countryside ran to buy, though it was twa white shillings the peck, and bawbees and wark were hardly to be gotten”. In this happy way, with many interesting allusion to the past and present, a really truly social night was enjoyed till the parting hour came, though not before bumper had been given with three times three ” Long life and prosperity to Mr Cormack and his amiable family