1885
Exciting Scene near Crail harbour – Galant Conduct by an Anstruther Captain – As the deep sea fishing boat “Alice,” of Cellardyke, John Bett, skipper, was returning home from the fishing grounds on Saturday morning, and owing to the strong current and dense fog which prevailed, she suddenly struck and stuck fast on the Pans Rocks, about half a-mile west of Crail harbour. The skipper and crew imagined that they were in the vicinity of the May Island, and had gone ashore on the South Ness of the Island. Skipper Bett advised his men to prepare for the worse, and stated that unless help came to them soon the boat would be lost and their lives as well. Loud cries of danger were then raised by the crew, but no response was heard for a considerable time. At this time Captain Alex. Cunningham. Trinity deep sea pilot, was standing on Crail pier. Hearing the sounds of distress he ran in the direction they proceeded from, and conjecturing that a vessel had come ashore on the Pans Rocks, on reaching the spot he at once divested himself of part of his clothing and plunged into the cold wintry sea. Fortunately he had just time to come near to the boat, when he saw the perilous position in which the crew were placed, and gave orders to them, which were immediately obeyed – the result being that the boat in a short time launched over the into the inside haven, and thus into a position of safety. But for Captain Cunningham’s timely appearance on the scene the crew and boat would in all likelihood have been lost, as the tide was fast ebbing, and there would have been a disastrous capsize. Captain Cunningham, who is an excellent seaman and noted swimmer, is one of the crews of the lifeboats stationed at Anstruther, Crail, and Boarhills, and has been instrumental in saving many lives. He is an escape from the S.S. “Stamfordham,” which foundered in the Atlantic some years ago, when all hands on board perished, and is a survivor of the dreadful disaster of the two ill-fated ships “Ethel” and “Agamemnon,” which collided, and were lost in the quick-sands in East Indies some time ago. Captain Cunningham was specially commended for his brave conduct on that occasion by one of the captains. On the coast of Australia about a twelvemonth ago by his presence of mind, Cunningham was the means of relieving one of the engineers of the S.S. Indus, who was dreadfully scalded by an explosion, by quickly stripping him of his clothes.
The employees of the Cellardyke Factory, numbering over 40, were entertained one day last week to cake and fruit, by their employers, Messrs Duncan and Black. Kindly greetings and the goodwishes of the season were mutually exchanged. Recitations and songs were well rendered by several, and at the close the respected foreman, William Smith, in suitable terms returned thanks in behalf of the workers.
1888
The ceremony of turning the new water supply for Cellardyke took place yesterday. Provost Martin, the Clerk, Mr Guthrie and a few friends left with three carriages a little a.m. A considerable crowd witnessed their departure, but it is significant that not a single cheer was raised even the urchins on the spot. Proceeding to the reservoir at Balmonth, situated on the eastern edge of the parish of Carnbee, where, despite the passing snowstorm, another crowd had collected, the Rev. G. S. Anderson, Kilrenny, invoked the Divine favour on the undertaking. Bailie James Smith next stepped forward, and, referring to Moses in the wilderness, went on speak of the untold blessings of supply of this prime element of life. He confessed that he was at one time opposed to the scheme, but he now frankly owned that recent circumstances —the fire the other day for example —had induced him to change his opinion. He had therefore much pleasure in calling on Provost Martin to turn on the new supply. At this stage of the programme Mr Urquhart, in a well-turned compliment, presented Provost Martin with an elegant silver cup bearing a suitable inscription as a mark of esteem, and also a memento of the interesting occasion. Having returned thanks, the Provost gave resume of the difficulties which he and his colleagues had encountered, especially in the dislike, or rather hostility of the ratepayers, as seen in emphatic plebiscite against the scheme. The Police Commission, however, had been by told the Board of Supervision that they and not the ratepayers were responsible, and thus, however unwilling, they had been led into the undertaking, which he himself rejoiced to think promised to minister so fully the health and comfort of the homes of Cellardyke. Having fulfilled his interesting task, three cheers being given for the success of the works, the party drove to Kilrenny, where, Cellardyke, the water was tested in a way that appeared to give every satisfaction to the bystanders. There was a public dinner in Cellardyke Hall 2 p.m. 1889