1865
CELLARDYKE. NARROW ESCAPE PROM DROWNING. —On Wednesday forenoon, while a young boy of about seven years of age, son of Mr David Boyter, fisherman, was amusing himself among the rocks ‘ nearly opposite the Town Hall, he fell into the deep water beyond his depth, and was carried and tossed greatly about by the action of the water for about twenty minutes. His perilous condition was fortunately noticed by some neighbours, who immediately got a small yawl manned, and, after some difficulty, they got him landed in an apparently lifeless state. Dr MacArthur, who fortunately happened to be in the neighbourhood, went immediately to the sufferer’s assistance, along with Dr Jamieson, who used every means in their power to restore animation, and we are glad to say that, after some time had elapsed their efforts were crowned with success. The ‘boy is now fast recovering.
Anstruther Harbour Commissioners and potential 1st Lifeboat
The Clerk then stated that he had been waited upon by a deputation from the Cellardyke fishermen regarding a site for a wooden house for a coble 29 feet long and 9 feet broad, to be used in cases of emergency ; and also that the Commission should use their influence to have a rocket apparatus stationed at Anstruther. The Board unanimously agreed to grant a site at the road leading from the Forth, and contiguous to the back of the East Pier; and the Clerk was instructed to communicate with Lieutenant Bainbridge, R. N, Elie, in order that an application might be lodged in due form with the Board of Trade.
1866
Prolific Sow.—ln the beginning of the week a sow, belonging to Mr Henderson, flesher, Cellardyke, had a litter of eighteen pigs at one birth. We are informed that five of this remarkably numerous progeny have since died; but all the others are in a promising condition, and will in due season, no doubt, make the world fatter, if not better, by their valuable contributions of savoury bacon and ham.
Early on Saturday morning, as one of the boats belonging to Cellardyke was returning from the fishing, through some strange mischance she went ashore among the rocks between Anstruther and Cellardyke, and in a few hours became a total wreck. The statements of the circumstances connected with the case seem to be of a somewhat conflicting character; but the one which receives most credence is that between one and two o’clock in the morning in question, whilst the crew were asleep, the man at the helm had occasion to enter the sleeping berth, and being benumbed and stupefied by the cold, he fell asleep by the fire. The boat held her course until the crew were only awakened by the dashing of the boat aiming the rocks, and the rushing in of the water through a hole which was quickly driven in her bottom. Seeing that to save the boat would be impossible, the men used their best endeavours to save their lives, in which happily they were successful.
1867
DESIRABLE OPENING.- HOUSE, SHOP, GARDEN, AND OILING PREMISES TO BE LET.
The Heirs of the late Mr John Nicol, Grocer, Spirit Dealer, and Oil Cloth Manufacturer. Cellardyke, by Anstruther, being desirous of retiring from Business in that District, offer to Let, for such a period of years that may be agreed on, the House, Shop, and Fittings, Oiling Premises, and Garden, with the Goodwill of Business, as occupied by them. The Business has been carried successfully for upwards of Twenty Years. Entry Immediately, offers to lodged with Mrs Nicol, Cellardyke, or before the 8th March ensuing.
1868
The Boat Accident.—We understand that several articles belonging to the Cellardyke fishing boat Marimne K.Y. No. 433, ( Skipper Watson) which was run down by the barque Danubio, have been washed ashore North Berwick and taken possession of by the coast guard stationed there.
We also hear of several new dwelling houses that will probably be in progress in the locality—particularly fine villa residence which will be erected in the west end of Cellardyke George Sharp. Esq. In Cellardyke, we may here notice a range four commodious self-contained houses, suitable for fishermen, have been added to the new street now almost completed between the Bog Causeway Road and the female school.
1869
On Wednesday, as Mr James Rodger, blacksmith, Cellardyke, and a party of men were lifting a large crab-winch from a “boggie” which had just brought it to his smithy d0or, the machine, from there not being strength enough at hand, fell over upon Mr Rodger, crushing him to the wall in most alarming manner. An instant effort was made for his release, when it was found that his left leg had been broken and the right one severely bruised, but are glad to learn that through the surgical skill of Dr Macarthur Mr Rodger is in a fair way recovery.
A curious old gravestone has just turned up in the churchyard of Kilrenny, where it has lain for many years, hidden beneath an accumulated mass of earth and herbage. Notwithstanding the neglect and rough usage with which the stone has been treated, both the sculpture and the inscription upon it are still in good preservation. On the upper part of the monument, a stately frigate, with courses and topsails set, and colours flying at mizzen-mast head, is seen running before the wind, while the waves are circling all around her. The prow and poop of the ancient ship rise high out of the sea, like some Dutch galliot of the present day, but the figure which has been doubtless designed as a symbol of a useful and prosperous life has been cut with considerable care and fidelity. Beneath this is the inscription, which runs as follows:— “Here lyes the corps of ane honest and vertuous man, James Brown, spouse to Agnis Foord, sometime a Bailie in Kilrenny; departed this life on December 22, 1673, and of his age 62.” On the lower part of the table those stern emblems of mortality, the skull and cross-bones, have been chiselled with great precision ; but have stated, neither the character of the worthy magistrate it commemorates, nor the quaintness of its device, has preserved the tombstone from contumely and insult. Originally the gravestone stood on four pillars, near Cardinal Beaton’s tomb, where it now lies on the grass, but many years ago it was put over the grave of old inhabitant Cellardyke, where it had continued to be until the grave was reopened the other day for one of her family. A tradition exists amongst some of the old inhabitants of Cellardyke that this stone records the wreck of a large three-masted vessel amongst the rocks the east end of Cellardyke, when several of the sailors were drowned; but there is nothing about the monument itself to confirm or countenance such a legend. In Kilrenny churchyard there are many interesting monuments of antiquity, such as the curious relic we have just adverted to and the remarkable epitaph on Mr Beats’ tomb, given over to neglect, or fast mouldering to decay; but we trust that when the burying ground comes to be enlarged and improved—as there is now early prospect—some steps will be taken for their better preservation.