1875
RETURN OF FISHING BOATS FROM HOWTH. —The four Cellardyke fishing boats which were engaged at the herring fishing on the Irish coast have now returned. All the crews have fished well, that of Skipper Thomas Watson being highest with a sum of £160, the second bringing only £5 less. The success which has attended this trial is almost certain to induce a large number of the Cellardyke fishermen to proceed to Howth next year.
A large number of the fishing boats left for the north on Tuesday, and there was considerable stir about the harbour consequent on the assembling of a large number of people to witness their departure. The remainder of the crews, with one or two exceptions, left on Wednesday and yesterday. The number of Cellardyke boats to be engaged in the fishing this year is 155, but others have hired boats are wholly manned by Cellardyke fishermen, making the total 162, or slightly above last year. A very favourable commencement has already been made to the fishing in the north, and the local crews will doubtless as on former occasions participate in any success which may attend the principal fishing of the year.
1876
Alexander Mackay, a native of Sutherland but for some time employed in the fishing at Cellardyke, was charged before Kilrenny Magistrates on Friday with assaulting Mrs James Watson in her public house near the Tolbooth, and also with a breach of the peace at the same time and place, Sandy repelled the charge of assault, when evidence was led, in the course of which Mrs Watson, Mrs Murray, and Margaret Fowler detailed the circumstances of the case. From three statements it appeared that Mackay had refused leave the house, when Mrs Watson threatened to expel him with the poker, of which, however, she had been summarily disarmed by the brawny clansman After hearing parties the Magistrates found the charge not proved, but sustained that of breach the peace, and sentenced the panel to a fine of 10s 6d.
A boy named Muir, ten years of age, son of Jas. Muir, fisherman, was drowned at Cellardyke on Friday. He was engaged, along with a companion, in fishing from a large rock near the harbour, and while throwing out his hoe overbalanced himself, and was drowned before assistance could be procured. The body was recovered about an hour afterwards.
CELLARDYKE DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN FISHERMAN.-Our fishing community has lost one of its most enterprising and successful members by the death of Skipper Andrew Henderson, which event took place last Saturday morning. The deceased was taken ill at Howth, where he was engaged at the herring fishing, and was obliged to leave his boat and come home, where, after suffering severely for several weeks, he succumbed to the painful disease with which he was seized. For a number of years past he was known as The King of the fishers’ in consequence of his crew being almost invariably the best fished in Cellardyke, and being a man of frank disposition, and of steady and of industrious habits, was well known and respected by all with whom he came in contact both here and at other fishing stations. He was only 46 years of age. Although the whole of the fishermen are at present in the north, his funeral was largely attended on Monday.
1877
Burgh Police Court. —At a Burgh Court held on Friday last, Andrew Smith carter, Cellardyke, was convicted of driving at a furious rate on the 16th June, and was fined 10s 6d. Alex. Wood, cabinetmaker, Cellardyke, and Robert Bell and John Cumming, ploughmen, Airdrie, pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace opposite the Royal Hotel, on the 23rd June, and were sentenced to a fine of 10s 6d, and the others to 7s 6d . At a Court held at Cellardyke the same day, a woman named Elizabeth Watson was fined 5s for a breach of the peace in the village of Kilrenny.
The Kilrenny School Board have accepted contracts, amounting in all to about £1950, for the erection of a new school and teacher’s house at Cellardyke.
1878
Fifeshire Fisherman Drowned off Stonehaven —On Wednesday afternoon about 4 o’clock John Montadore, owner and skipper of the boat Jacobines, number 1378, from Cellardyke, while assisting to set the jib sail, tripped his foot, fell backwards over the gunwale into the sea, and although the crew did everything to assist him he sank and was drowned. The crew remained some time about the place, and then returned to the harbour. The authorities are investigating the case.
The New Mission Church Cellardyke— Description of the Plan, &c
The designs for this interesting new place of worship have just been submitted to the friends of the movement in the locality. The church, which we may remind our readers, to be erected on a sunny site on the Powcauseway Road, immediately opposite the new Public School, is in the form of cross, and in the pointed style of architecture. The front or west elevation exhibits a massive circle, some thirty-eight feet breadth and rather more in height, pierced a handsome three light window, and surmounted by the sacred emblem of our blessed faith. The gable is flanked on the north by well-defined porch, and on the south by a lofty tower, showing clock face on its three open sides, and with spire and weather vane springing from the embattled parapet, forty-five feet from the ground, the whole elevation being over sixty feet. The tower is also utilised as an entrance door and as stair to the gallery. The south wall, which is to be skirted by a new roadway, is relieved by the gable of the transept, pierced like the wall with pointed windows. The vestry is in the rear of the church, where there is also provision for a large hall or class-room for congregational work. Coming now to the interior, we find the pulpit on the east gable with the transepts —measuring between seventy and eighty feet from north to south – on either side, and having the spacious nave and gallery in front. From this point the fabric will have a decidedly imposing appearance, enhanced by the open timber roof, which like the more salient carpenter work has been treated with subdued but masterly taste. There are sittings for 800—650 on the floor, and 150 in the gallery. The architect is Mr Johnstone, of Dundee, and altogether the design seems admirably suited to the end view, namely to accommodate a large congregation so to participate with comfort and satisfaction in the services of the sanctuary. In all this Mr Johnstone had to regulate his pencil to a given outlay, but however fettered in respect of decoration, he has evinced a thorough appreciation of the resources of his noble art, not only in the treatment of details, but in the general outline, which is pleasing and even picturesque, though we trust, in justice to the design, that provision will be made in the contracts for a higher elevation, if not to the gable, at least ” to the heavenward pointing spire,” so as to save such after regret as that in the case of the Memorial Church St Monance, in which an otherwise happy imitation of brave old St Mary’s, of Northampton, has been so sadly ruined. As will have been seen from our advertising columns, another bazaar is to be held in Elie in aid of the building fund of the Cellardyke church, which will be in progress as soon as the preliminary arrangements can be concluded. The estimated expense, we may state, is about £2600. The Rev. Christie, Professor of Church History, has now removed to Aberdeen, but he and his amiable partner continue to take the same deep and unwearied interest in the scheme, which has been hitherto fraught with such signal encouragement and success.