1895
Deceased Local Seamen. The following names occur in the list of deaths of seamen reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping during the month of June:-
Alexander Black (24), fisherman, Pittenweem, supposed to have been drowned through the capsizing of the fishing boat John and Betsy half a mile off Monance on 1st May last;
F. B. Millar (26), publican, Edinburgh, last residing at Pittenweem, who was drowned from the pleasure boat John and Betsy half a mile off St Monance 0n 1st May last;
Alexander Davidson (48), St Monance, last residing at 9 Rodger Street, Cellardyke, Fife, supposed to have been drowned, his vessel, the Lady of the Lake, being missing with all hands since 16th or 17th May, 1895;
John Moncrieff (30), 12 East Fort Street, Cellardyke, fisherman, line fishing boat Lady of the Lake, supposed to be drowned, vessel missing with all hands;
Adam Reid (52), fisherman, George Street, Cellardyke, also the Lady of the Lake, vessel missing with all hands ;
James Smith (27), fisherman, 31 Shore Street, Cellardyke, drowned at sea, also of the Lady of the Lake.
( Also lost at this time was William Motion (42) from David Watson’s fishing vessel Providence KY263)
1896
COALS! COALS!! COALS!!!
WILLIAM ROBERTSON, Agent for Bowman & Co., Muiredge Colliery, Can always Supply Household and all other kinds of Coals in Trucks, at Pit Prices. The Dunfermline Splint and Bagging Coals always in Stock. Orders left at William Martin’s, Tolbooth Wynd, Cellardyke, or at Dovecot Park, Anstruther, will be attended to.
FOR SALE, FISHING BOAT “Ivanhoe,” 45ft.., Clincher Built, Cheap. Apply to James Deas, Rodger Street,Cellardyke.
PROPERTY AND BUSINESS, IN CELLARDYKE, FIFE, FOR SALE. In consequence of the Retirement from Business of the Proprietrix. the PUBLIC HOUSE and DWELLING-HOUSE, No. 4 John Street, Cellardyke, with Yard and Garden behind, is offered for Sale by Private Bargain, along with the GOODWILL and STOCK IN TRADE.
The House has been licensed for the long period of 39 years, and there is no Hotel, and only one other Public House, in the Burgh. Entry will be given at Martinmas next. Feu duty nominal. The highest or any offer may not be accepted. For further particulars apply to H. B. MACKINTOSH & SON. Solicitors, Anstruther, or W. FORD & Son, Limited, Leith. Offers to be lodged with the former, who hold the Title Deeds of the Property on or before 10th August next.
Mr David Muir, Cellardyke, and Mr James R. Shaw, Glenshee, have successfully passed the Marine Board examination for first mates. These candidates were prepared at the Government Navigation School by Captains Wood and Low.
1897
THE FIFE FISHING FLEET. Of the large fleet of boats fishing from the port of Aberdeen at this season the usual considerable proportion hail from the “Kingdom of Fife.” They are mostly sailing vessels, manned by a lot of industrious, hard-working fishermen, who make the very best of their opportunities, and philosophically take what luck falls to them without too much grumbling or too great elation. Martin Gardiner, Cellardyke, skipper of the Vanguard, came in with a record catch. The Vanguard was many miles out sea, fishing in the midst of many other boats, when she struck a shoal of herrings that yielded 104 crans before she beaded for Aberdeen. Martin Gardiner’s good lack did not end with the mere possession of the catch, for he afterward, pocketed the fair return of I8s 6d per cran. Unlike many others engaged in the same industry, Fife fishermen are strict observers of the Sabbath. It is a fixed principle with every one of them that he must be in port on the Saturday, and he does not shift again from the quayside until Monday. There are just two trawlers from the Kingdom —the Faith and the Fifeness—and their movement, are likewise strictly confined to week days. For trawlers this is quite exceptional, for the vast majority of them come and go at all times. The Faith has been fishing regularly from the port of Aberdeen for long time, and she was never once known to go to sea on Sunday. At the Aberdeen Fish Market the Faith and the Fifeness are known by the name of the Saturday boats. Their movements can always be depended upon. They reach port with their first catch for the week either Wednesday or Thursday morning, and returning to sea again without delay, they are in port again with another haul by Saturday morning- In the course of the Saturday forenoon both boats will be found lying neat and clean for the Sunday lie-up.
1898
SUDDEN DEATH OF A CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN ON ANSTRUTHER PIER. —Last Saturday morning a very sad occurrence took place on the west pier, Anstruther. The yawl owned by Thomas Tarvit, named the Four Brothers, arrived from the herring fishing about half-past five o’clock in the morning. Mr George Moncrieff, East Forth Street, Cellardyke, one of the crew, while the boat coming into the harbour complained of being sick. As the boat was to be moored at once, and he would get home, nothing was done.
On reaching the west pier at the steps, Moncrieff took hold of the rope and went on to the steps with the object of making the yawl fast. He climbed up the steps, but on getting to the top he suddenly fell down on the surface. Before the rest of the crew or any others could get to him he was dead, but means were at once taken to try and bring him round. Medical aid was summoned, but Dr Wilson’s services were of no avail. The body was conveyed to his house in Cellardyke shortly afterwards. The sad event excited a good deal of sympathy during the course of the day. Deceased was 66 years of age, and was held in great respect in the community. He was a quiet and inoffensive man, but was able to take a share in different movements for the prosperity of the fishing community. Heart disease, from which he was aware he suffered, was the cause of death. He had retired from the fishing some years ago, and only went to the yawl fishing a fortnight ago. His remains were interred in Kilrenny Church yard on Monday.
INNERGELLIE HOUSE AND THE FISH GUANO FACTORY.
The Provost read a letter from Mr McLaren, Innergellie, dated the 5th instant, in which he said that some time ago the Town Council gave certain instructions, based on Dr Nasmyth’s report, to Mr Cormack for carrying on the fish manure factory at the east end of Cellardyke. He had considered the fumes given off by the factory as a serious nuisance, and he should be glad to know if the recommendations had been given effect to, and the instructions carried out. Last year, Mr Campbell, Edinburgh, who occupied Innergellie House, raised objections to the fumes, and he wish to be satisfied that there was not to be the same complaint from the tenants whom he was expecting to take Innergellie House for the summer. He had replied to Mr McLaren to the effect that the Town Council were alive to the matter, and that far as they knew Mr Cormack was carrying out to the letter the recommendations of Dr Nasmyth, but that as yet they had not been tested. They would have to wait until the test was made to know whether the nuisance was removed or not. Bailie Butters – That is quite correct. I had a talk with Mr Cormack the other day, when he said that since he had not an opportunity of testing it. He has done everything he could to carry out the Doctor’s instructions.
1899
CELLARDYKE. Theft of Money.
On Thursday night last a theft was discovered to have taken place in the house of John Clark, junr. in Ellice Street. The circumstances are as follows:–The front window was discovered to have been broken, and it was thought the thief or thieves must have entered by it, but this supposition was shown to be groundless from the fact that the snib was all right, and a number of flower pots lying on the sole of the window had not been disturbed. They would have had to be removed before anyone could have gained entrance by the window. Nothing was touched in the room, but the party, who evidently knew the house, had gone to a box in which money was kept and taken £1 out one box, and 2s from another, but leaving 3s in it. A quantity of jewellery was also left behind. The boxes were again re-locked, and put in the places from which they had been taken. The police were informed as soon as it was discovered, and the theory is that it has not been committed by a stranger.
CELLARDYKE SCAFFOLDING ACDIDENT.—On Thursday night last week, while Mr Peter Elder and four painters were engaged painting the roof of the Parish Church, the scaffolding on which they were standing suddenly gave way. Two of the men were thrown into the gallery, and other two into the Church, All the men escaped without injury except Patrick Mclllgrew, who was severely bruised on the left side, and a bit of the skin of his right leg torn off. He is now all right again.