1905
A grand concert under the auspices of the Guiding Star Lodge, was given in Cellardyke Town Hall on Saturday. Rev. Mr Ray presided over a fair attendance. The programme was an excellent one, and where each of the artistes did well individual criticism is unnecessary, but mention might be made of the delightful entertainment given by Mr Lawson, whose step dancing was a feature of the evening and well merited the encores which were called for. The solos, duets, quartets and recitations were well rendered by the Misses Clark, Jack, and Fraser and Messrs Wood, Hepburn, and Williamson, and not the least pleasing items were the selections by an orchestra under the leadership of Mr Watson. A most enjoyable programme, which deserved a much larger audience, was brought to a close with a special vote of thanks to Miss Mitchell, Pittenweem. who performed her arduous duties as accompanist very satisfactorily.
Property sales.—On Wednesday afternoon, there was exposed for sale in the Town Hall, the Butts Park, situated at the west of Rodger Street, for which Mr Williamson, plasterer, offered the sum of £195. The reserve, however, being £200, left it open to the sellers to refuse or accept within a certain period. A dwelling house and garden in John Street, was also exposed, and Mr R. Melville, fishcurer, offered £50, but the reserve was £70. and it was also continued. A byre and stable in John Street was bought by Mr Andrew Clark, mason, for £50.
A serious accident occurred in West Anstruther on Monday night, when George Ferguson, butcher. Cellardyke, sustained severe bruises. He had been at the goods station removing a cattle beast in a float to Cellardyke, and in attempting to jump to the vehicle missed his hold, and slipped between the horse’s heels and the float. The axle of the float crushed him when he fell to the ground, but fortunately the horse was stopped in time. Before Ferguson could be extricated the horse had to be unyoked. He was carried into Mr Lindsay’s house, and attended by Dr Ferguson, who found that although no bones had been broken, he had been severely bruised. He was laid on a stretcher, and conveyed to his home in West Forth Street, Cellardyke, where he is progressing favourably.
1906
FIFE FATALITIES. LIVES LOST ON LAND AND SEA. Heavy Inquiry List Cupar. Sheriff Armour and a jury at Cupar to-day heard evidence under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry Act, 1895, relative to six recent fatalities the county of Fife. …… THE PERILS OF THE DEEP. .Two of the inquiries had reference to accidents to fishermen. Both were returning home from the fishing ground at the May Island, and were engaged tacking the sails, when a heavy sea caused their boats to lurch, and plunged the unfortunate fishermen into the sea. The names of the deceased were Peter Boyter, Cellardyke, who was on board the Elizabeth Keay, and Alexander Gowans Cellardyke, who was aboard the Balmoral.
1907
The fourth steam drifter built by Mr Miller since September was launched at Anstruther on Monday afternoon, to the order of Messrs R. Melville & Sons, fishcurers, Cellardyke. The vessel was named the Primrose, and is considered to be one of the beet models and strongest of boats sent out of the Anstruther building yard.
HERRING NETS PICKED UP.—On arrival at Granton of the trawler Challenger on Saturday, the master, Edward Forbes, reported having picked up about 50 herring nets, with 13 floats attached, on Friday afternoon about four or five miles east of the North Carr lightship. From the marks on the floats it is supposed that they belong to Cellardyke fishermen, and were abandoned during the gale which prevailed last week. The nets were heavily laden with herrings. The letters C. D, are common to all.
1908
Among the recent deaths in Cellardyke was that of Mr James Smith (Robertson), who was a prominent figure in the town, and one of the old type of sturdy Scotch characters fast dying out. He was an elder first in Kilrenny Church, and latterly in Cellardyke Church for the long period of 4 years. In Cellardyke Church on the 1st inst., Rev. Mr Ray preached an eloquent sermon on his and other deaths in the community.
1909
In the House of Commons last Thursday, Major Anstruther Gray (St Andrews Burghs) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the numbers of fishing boats plying their trade at the herring fishing in the Firth of Forth, particularly in the vicinity of the May Island and four miles to the westward thereof, he will arrange that his Majesty’s Fleet would pass through these waters so far as possible by daylight to prevent loss of life and nets amongst the herring fleet at this season of the year. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr McKenna)—it is not practicable to restrict the use of His Majesty’s ships of regular fairways of traffic, such as the Firth of Forth, in the manner suggested by hon. member. Such a restriction in any case would be incomplete; the bulk of the traffic in this locality was composed of merchant vessels. Charts are being prepared for the information of His Majesty ships, showing the most probable positions of the fishing fleet at different periods of the year, and it is hoped that the fishing boats will co-operate with all efforts to avoid risk of damage by showing proper lights. Replying to a further question. The First Lord of the Admiralty said he could not name a date for the issue of charts. Major Anstruther Gray asked if a special warning could be issued in view of the great danger to the fishermen round May Island, but no answer was given.
Major Anstruther-Gray, M. P. has given notice that in the House of Commons to-day he will ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any claim” from David Parker , of Cellardyke , skipper of the fishing boat John and Agnes , ML ; 95 , who has lost the whole of his nets to the value of £25. having been cut away by the ships of His Majesty’s Fleet between 3 A.M. and 4 A.M. on the 3rd instant; whether he will favourably consider this claim, and will further compensate him for the loss of his time while deprived of his means of livelihood, and whether he can now see his way to taking any steps towards safeguarding the lives and property of the fishermen in the Firth of Forth.
SCOTTISH FISHERMEN’S GALLANTRY At its monthly meeting London yesterday, the Royal Humane Society made the following,’ amongst other, awards in Scottish cases:— medal to William Wilson, fisherman, Cellardyke, Fife, for his heroic action February 11, whereby four lives were saved. Shortly after midnight the fishing boat Triumph, in attempting to enter Anstruther Harbour, was driven on the rocks by the heavy sea running. The only hope of rescue was for someone to swim ashore with a line, and this Wilson volunteered try and do. ‘ Clad in thick clothing, and wearing heavy sea boots, took a line, and, plunging into the boiling surf, succeeded after hard struggle in reaching land, his four comrades being then got shore safety.