1875
In an article about the History of Sewing Machines.
…Nor is the Kingdom Fife behind in the march of progress; it can boast in the East Neuk a Blake Sewing eight of which only are used in Scotland. Do not be astonished, or become incredulous, when I tell you it can sole 200 pairs of boots in a day! I don’t know if Leslie is as far famed for bootmakers as Markinch is for cabbage, but if our friends the shoemakers are not up and at it, Cellardyke, for that’s where the Blake Machine is used, will cause them blush.
Cellardyke Police Commission – This board met on Monday, but the chief matter up was the appointment of a scavenger, Donald Ross, at one time connected with the Lanarkshire Police force, but for some years resident as a day labourer in the locality, being chosen at a wage of 20s a week. The duties are of a miscellaneous nature, bat the wages give a significant illustration of the rising nature of labour in the neighbourhood, the pay of the scavenger and lamplighter having exactly doubled of late years.
(Scavenger being the street cleaner, which in those days would also have to deal with slops, horse manure and sewerage type waste on the streets)
1876
Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society
…The Committee having heard through their honorary agents that the towns of Cellardyke and St. Monance, in Fifeshire, had lost in one blow 37 of the flower of their sea-going men, leaving 19 women widows and 72 children orphans, and that a local fund was being raised to help these destitute ones, resolved to head the list of contributions with £150.
TO FARMERS. OFFERS are WANTED for the LIME as it comes from the Purifiers of the Anstruther and Cellardyke Gas Company’s Works, for the year from 1st July 1876 to 30th June 1877.
Offers to state the Price per ton, and to be lodged with John Adamson, the Manager, on or before 15th June next.
ESTIMATES WANTED for the MASON, JOINER, PLASTER, PLUMBER, and SLATER WORK of a HOUSE and SHOP to be built in Cellardyke. Plans and Specifications are in the hands of Mr John BROWN, Cunzie House. Anstruther. with whom Estimates must be lodged on or before 8th June. The lowest or any Offer may not be accepted.
EAST OF FIFE MUTUAL INSURANCE BOAT CLUB. THE Directors are prepared to receive PROPOSALS for Policies. Applications to be made to Mr George Sharp Merchant, Cellardyke, Secretary and Treasurer.
Extraordinary Large Take of Fish.
The Largest capture of fish for this season has been landed at Anstruther Harbour, and was secured by the crew of Skipper James Brunton, belonging to Cellardyke, who had been at the deep-sea fishing. The catch comprised 54 saithe, 39 ling, 101 halibut, 130 skate and 600 cod; total 925 fish all in prime condition. The Halibut alone sold for £39 and the whale catch realised the goodly sum of £63 (approx. £7,745 today)
1877
DERELICT FOUND BY FIFE FISHERMEN. The week before last some of the Cellardyke fishermen noticed a waterlogged vessel of Norwegian build in the North Sea, but the distance from land was so great that no attempt was made to secure the derelict, which was being stripped of her materials by French fishermen. Last week, however, she had drifted to about seventy miles from the May Island, the crews of two of the boats took her tow, and succeeded bringing her into Anstruther harbour on Friday. The schooner herself is only fit for breaking up, but she has a large and valuable cargo of fir staves, which are being landed for the purpose of being sold by public roup. As the stern of the derelict is completely gone, her name cannot be ascertained.
FATAL BURNING ACCIDENT. —On Friday last, a little girl two and a half years of age, granddaughter of and residing with George Anderson, ploughman, Tolbooth Road, was playing with another child about the fireside when a pot full of boiling water lying on the hearthstone by some means was overturned. The poor girl fell among the water, and was so severely scalded that although every remedy was applied, she died next day after twenty hours’ intense suffering.
Our obituary_ this week records the death of Mr Andrew Keay, late of the Customs Office here. Mr Keay, who was a native of Cellardyke, was laid aside from duty last November, and since that time has suffered greatly from cancer in the stomach, from which he died on Wednesday. The deceased, who was in hit sixty-sixth year, was appointed to the Customs in 1833, and after acting hero for 16 years, occupied similar positions in Leith and in Wales, subsequently returning to Anstruther in 1866. He was invariably a zealous and faithful servant, and in the execution of his duty travelled the district in all kinds of weather, which many younger men would have delayed until the conditions were more favourable. Mr Keay, who was altogether 38 years in the Customs, was superannuated only in February last. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family, one of his sons being in business in Constantinople.
1878
John o’ Groats Journal
At the opening of a bazaar in Anstruther, for the establishment a new church at Cellardyke the Rev. Dr Phin, who received a cordial greeting, said—l am very much gratified by the remarks which have been made by excellent friend Professor Christie, and it gives me extreme pleasure to be here to-day in compliance with his request. I may mention that recollections of Cellardyke are not of yesterday. In my early life I lived in the house of my father, who was minister of Wick, and as far back as my memory stretches Cellardyke fishermen were in the habit of coming down to Wick to prosecute the herring fishery. I recollect of their attendance at father’s church, and I have pleasure in mentioning the good conduct they displayed in the midst of the other fishermen.
1879
Shetland – All the South Country boats have now left here except the two Cellardyke boats which have been remarkably fortunate all through the season.