1861
ANSTRUTHER. HARBOUR. The unhappy difference between the Harbour Commissioners and the Cellardyke fishermen, instead of being smoothed down by time and experience, seems to be assuming a more decided attitude with every new phase into which the question enters. For the purpose (as alleged) of presenting as good a revenue as possible, in the prospect of applying for money to proceed with the works, the commissioners have exacted the highest rate of anchorage from fishing-boats, while (with doubtful consistency) they have reduced the rate on all other vessels; and thus, in effect, changing the proportion between boats and other vessels which the Legislature fixed. The fishermen cannot escape from the exaction; and, therefore, it has been paid, with one or two exceptions. But the dues of one penny per barrel on fish unshipped cannot be so easily brought home to them, with apparently the best intentions to do so. They refuse liability on the ground that the fish belong to the purchaser when landed; and. having reported who the purchaser is, they hold themselves free. The fishcurers, who are generally the purchasers before being unshipped, seem equally desirous to evade the impost, and between the two the enforcers of the law are not a little tantalised as to how and where to obtain their dues. A case was brought before the Sheriff last week, which it was hoped would decide the point between these two parties. The pursuers were furnished with ample evidence against the fishermen, but had concluded evidence unnecessary against the curer -(himself a Commissioner too!) — when the case was heard. The curer very adroitly admitted nothing, and the case fell to the ground for want of evidence.
Pittenweem –
The high rates at Anstruther are acting beneficially toward this place, there being a greater number than ordinary of stranger fishermen frequenting the harbour. Among the rest, we observe Cellardyke has furnished its quota. The moderate scale of rates chargeable here, has acted so powerfully upon the Cellardyke fishermen that, we understand, they have been making enquiry after lodgings, for the Lammas drave. If our present harbour is thus drawing fishermen from Cellardyke, we may expect, when the proposed harbour improvement is completed, that they will give the pauper harbour a wide berth, when they can get ample accommodation, combined with moderate rates, in the ‘ good old burgh of Pittenweem.’
Leslie Brown Wilson and Thomas Cormack, fishcurer, Cellardyke, were placed the bar charged by. Mackintosh with contravening said Acts of Parliament so far as the boat “Sivan” having entered Anstruther Union Harbour on the morning of 19th January last, there were, on that same day, and between the hours of seven A.M. and two P.M., unshipped from the said boat, within the limits of the said harbour one cran and one halfcran, or thereby, of fresh herrings, less or more, being the cargo or part of the cargo of said boat, and which cran and one half-cran of herring were delivered then and there to the said Thomas Cormack, who took delivery thereof, and removed them from the premises of the Commissioners of the said harbour, …………. Wilson nor the said Thomas Cormack did make payment of the rates payable the Commissioners of the said harbour in respect of the said herrings, and both of the said Leslie Brown Wilson and Thomas Cormack had since refused to pay the said rates, which rates amounted to one penny and one half-penny, less or more, and thereby they, one or other of them did evade the payment of the said rates,
1862
Alexander Wood, a fisherman, residing in Cellardyke, was charged with having, on the 11th instant, been guilty of a breach of the peace and assault. The panel pled guilty to breach of the peace only, which plea having been accepted by the Procurators, Wood was sentenced to pay a fine of 255, with the alternative of twenty days’ imprisonment.
1864
Narrow Escape of a fishing boat and crew
On Saturday afternoon during the height of the sever gale from WSW which then prevailed, a large fishing boat which belongs to St Monance of which Mr James Innes is skipper and owner, in attempting to enter this harbour for shelter, struck amongst the rocks a little to the westward of the Fairway – there being at the time only about two hours of flood tide. Fortunately, the movements of the boat had been previously watched with great interest by many of the fishermen, and no sooner did she come contact with the shore than, with characteristic activity, they hastened to her assistance. Two yawls were quickly launched and manned with gallant fellows, by whose efficient help the imperilled crew lightened their boat, by throwing overboard the ballast; after which, by means of strong new ropes (which were kindly furnished by Messrs Sharp & Murray) and hundreds of willing hands, she was soon drawn beyond the threatening waves, and placed in safety upon the beach above high water mark. The boat, which is nearly new, has been very much damaged, and it is estimated that over £20 will be required to complete the necessary repairs. For their prompt and active conduct on this occasion, the Cellardyke fishermen deserve the warmest praise—and to this also the women are well entitled; as, instead of remaining idle spectators, or yielding themselves up to fear and excitement, they seemed eager to do what they could, and. pulling on the ropes, materially helped the efforts of the men.
The fishermen of St Monance have, on many former occasions, been indebted to their neighbours in Cellardyke for kind assistance and hospitality in similar circumstances. We are happy to find that what has thus often been so finely given has not been ungratefully received, and that a friendly spirit and intercourse obtain between the two communities, confirmed by the experience of much mutual kindness, and cemented by frequent intermarriages.
A Cellardyke crew picked up. about two miles to the eastward of the Isle of May. a life-buoy, painted white, with the name ” Meltia” of Glasgow marked on black letters.
1865
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, alter 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.
Meeting of Fishermen.- On Friday evening last, a meeting of the fishermen of Cellardyke was convened by the town crier, and held in the Female School there. Nearly all the fishermen attended, and Mr Alexander Tarvit was elected to the chair, on taking which he stated that the meeting had been called to consider the advisability of having a suitable boat or coble stationed at Anstruther harbour to be ready for use in the event of any emergency. All present appeared to concur in the desirableness of the project, and it was all but unanimously agreed that the sum of 2s should be weekly contributed by each boat now prosecuting the herring fishing, the sum being continued for three weeks, when a total sum of about £18 would be collected — the estimate expense of the boat. A committee was appointed to meet with the Commissioners of the Union Harbour as to the obtaining of a proper place to deposit the boat when not required, and also to solicit them to use their best exertions to have a Manby Apparatus Station at Anstruther —a suggestion which, by the way, we earnestly urged a few weeks ago. In the course of the proceedings, the present by no means unreasonable dissatisfaction of the fishermen, was manifested at the ruinous state of the Anstruther Harbour works. The business then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. We cannot conclude this notice without expressing our sincere admiration of the praiseworthy spirit of self- help which on this, as indeed on all other occasions, so eminently distinguishes our fishermen; and ‘we earnestly hope that their exemplary conduct will be appreciated as it ought to be by the Union and Harbour Commissioners, and that every encouragement and support will be afforded for the successful carrying out of these most desirable schemes.
The Harbour Commissioners Clerk 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 eases 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.