1880
Cellardyke Fisherman Drowned at Sea.— The melancholy tidings were received on Monday evening by the Rev. Mr Anderson, minister of the parish, that William Anderson, one of the crew of the Cellardyke boat Venus had been drowned about twilight, in the act of shipping the side-lights, on the Yorkshire coast The Venus, which belongs to his father-in-law, Skipper Peter Murray, had been stationed for some weeks at Scarborough, but, like the rest of the local squadron, now that the herring fishing over, was on the homeward run when she was overtaken by one of the fitful gusts of wind and rain which marked the weather of Monday. It was in one of those squalls that the poor fisherman was swept from the deck into the boiling sea. Everything was done for his rescue, but he was scarce seen ere he sank into a watery grave. He leaves a widow and four children to mourn his loss. The present calamity makes the sixth man belonging to Cellardyke who has been washed overboard and drowned in the course of the present year.
A Bailie Court was held in Cellardyke on Wednesday—all the Magistrates on the bench. An urchin, named Robert Scott, was charged with pelting Hector, imbecile, with stones Sabbath day; but, like a similar charge against his father, the case broke down for want of proof. -Three youths, William Watson, James Salter, and George Brown, were then accused under the Lindsay Act, with damaging the crops on the farm of Kilrenny Mill. They pleaded not guilty, but on the evidence of Overseer Clark and Daniel Ross, they were convicted and fined in the sum of 2s each.— William Duncan, merchant, was next charged under the clauses of the same Act, with keeping a dangerous dog, in so far that it inflicted a severe bite on an orphan boy, named Andrew Brown. Duncan admitted that this was the second time the dog had bitten a passer-by. It would have been destroyed on the first occasion, but it was very useful, and had been carefully fastened up till in his absence had been allowed to escape to the street when it attacked the boy. He was fined in the mitigated penalty of 7s 6d
1881
UNRULY COOPERS – at the Bailie Court of Kilrenny on Friday— Provost Watson presiding—four coopers employed in Cellardyke, George Lawson, David Dun, John McLeod, and William Blyth were charged with assaulting Mr David Muir, fisherman, at the harbour head on the evening of Saturday week, and also with a breach the peace at the same time and place. All the panels appeared except Blyth who is in the meantime at Yarmouth. They pleaded not guilty, but the evidence of several of the neighbours brought home the charge in the opinion of the court, and they were each fined 7s 6d, or ten days in jail.
BOOTS BOOTS BOOTS
ROBERT GRAY has OPENED that New Shop, at No. 3 Shore Street, Cellardyke, with a large and varied Stock of BOOTS and SHOES, such as will give every satisfaction to the Public in fit and wear. R G. begs to thank the Public of Cellardyke and surrounding district for the past support he has received during the past two years, and still hopes, by strict attention to all orders entrusted to him, to merit a share of public patronage.
1882
Escape of a Fife Crew. —One of the most remarkable instances of special Providence, to use a favourite phrase of the coast, occurred last week to the Cellardyke boat, Ivanhoe, Geo. Fowler, master, while on the voyage from Scarborough. Their errand over on the herring sea, the crew had put to sea on Tuesday night, and were bowling along, with jib and foresail boomed out, as the sailors say, before the south-west wind, when, about two next morning, those on deck saw red light within bow shot bearing right upon them. The night, by reason of the fog, was as black as the grave, and thus the stranger—a big barque, under full sail—was all unperceived upon them. A vigilant hand, David Meldrum, held the tiller, but not an instant was left to act, or even consider what to do, when her head gear was entangled with the boat. The foremast brushed clear by a hand breadth, but the mizzen was caught by the big bowsprit, and was next moment hurled into the sea. It so far. however, averted the collision, though the winch and part of the rail was wrenched away, but otherwise the boat was safe —delivered as by a miracle from the very jaws of destruction. The escape of three of the crew was exceptionally so. The boat-hook, acting boom, was thrown like a spear from the hand of giant against the shoulder of a veteran fisher. George Smith, while, as the mizzen mast crashed over the gunwale, it struck full on the steersman, who also received a severe blow in the fall of the winch. A landsman, named John Ramsay, was also thrown into the sea, and his escape was, perhaps, the most providential of all, for, unable to save himself, he must have become the prey of the hungry waves, but as he rose to the surface, the broken mast floated to his arm, and on this he rested like a life buoy till he was sometime after casually seen in the “water burn,” when he was dragged into the boat. In the meantime it was the impression on board that the shoulder of their comrade was dislocated or broken, and that David Meldrum had received mortal hurt; but for while their every outcry and effort was to obtain assistance from the barque. It was all in vain, however, for deaf to every call, and with that heartless barbarity which unfortunately has only too many parallels in the story of the sea, the stranger never once changed his course, but held under full sail as before. In the darkness and agitation of the hour our fishermen failed to identify the barque, but, so far as could be made out, she seemed to be a foreigner, making probably for English coal port. The Ivanhoe reached Anstruther harbour some thirty six hours after the collision, when no time was lost in obtaining assistance for the injured men. Fortunately, in neither case was there any bones broken, and David Meldrum, for whose condition so much uneasiness was felt, is, we are glad to say from latest accounts, doing as well as can be hoped for. We understand that the authorities are investigating the matter with view of bringing the sea miscreant to justice.
1883
International Fisheries Exhibition
Messrs Sharp & Murray, Cellardyke, have carried off the gold medal for herring nets, also gold medal for collection of sea fishing gear. In the special prize list this firm has also gained the £5 prize for collection of long line gear.
THE ROYAL HANDBELL RINGERS.—This company gave one of their delightful entertainments in Cellardyke Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Coming from Perth and going to Galashiels, the drawings of the night—some £10—would leave little, if any, margin over the expenses of the journey, though the authorities were, considerate as to accept just one-half of the usual fee for the Hall.
One of the’ Cellardyke boats was so fairly within the grasp of the whirlwind that the brave crew never again expected to see the morning light. In this terrible situation, the Skipper took his last farewell, as he thought, of his young son, sheltering in the cabin. Who will tell the tenderness of such an embrace, or the earnestness of the cry, ” Lord, help us, we perish,” nor let us forget the fervent prayer, as on that same night, for the dear ones at home. A providential escape was also made by Skipper John Bett. of the “Alice,” of Cellardyke. While pulling in the nets, a big wave rose, hissing over the gunwale, and smote him from the one end the boat to the other; but this did not end the perils of the night, for in the act of tacking, he was thrown by the tiller into the sea, from which he was snatched as from the brink of the grave, though so greatly crushed that he had to be taken to the hospital. This is a small whitewashed building, but it has been, or is being, like the house of the Good Samaritan to more than one of hardy fishers in the day of misfortune. It is likewise pleasing to notice the sympathy felt on all sides in Yarmouth for the safety of the ” Seven Brothers,” of Cellardyke, and also for William Lindsay and his crew, who were detained at sea in consequence of their nets fouling with an English or French drift till Friday forenoon, or four days after the storm, during which their long absence had given rise to the meet indescribable alarm, if not despair.
1884
SALE OF GROCERS STOCK AND UTENSILS. To be SOLD by Public Roup, upon WEDNESDAY, 22d October 1884, THE WHOLE STOCK of GROCERIES, &c., belonging to David Corstorphine, 38 John Street, Cellardyke, including Tea, Sugar, Soap, Confections, Baskets, Stock Chests, Beams, Scales, and Weights, 2-Wheeled Barrow, Counter 9 ft. by 2i (little used), Water Casks, etc., etc. The Roup will commence at 2 p.m. J. BONTHRON, Auctioneer. Cellardyke, 14th Oct. 1884.
TO LET, that SHOP in CELLARDYKE, presently occupied by David Corstorphine (situated in centre of town), where a good trade has been done for past 25 years. Entry Free till term. Present tenant going abroad. Apply Watson, 40 John Street, Cellardyke.
NOTICE. —All Parties having Claims against DAVID CORSTORPHINE 38 John Street, Cellardyke, are requested to hand same to him and all Parties indebted to him are requested to make payment within 14 days from this date. Cellardyke, 23d Oct. 1884
AN UNSUCCESSFUL FISHER. George Carstairs, fisherman, Cellardyke, was sued by Messrs Duncan & Black, for the sum of £9 0s 10 ½d for nets which had been supplied to him. In answer to the Sheriff he said that he had never succeeded in the fishing since he got the nets from them, and therefore he was not able to pay them. He did not dispute he was owing the money, but he had now to take a day’s labour wherever he could get it in order to keep his wife and children. The Sheriff—Well, but you must try and make some arrangement with the pursuers as to payment. Decree with expenses.
HERRING NETS.-It gives a pleasing idea of the unslackened energy in the herring trade that Messrs Duncan & Black’s net factory in Cellardyke is busy, in the meantime, by night as well as by day. There are at present 16 machines in motion, hitherto, as elsewhere, by the fair sisters of the coast; but in the course of the week a party of young men arrived by rail to work the night shift, so as to enable the spirited firm to overtake the orders thus early in hand.
KILRENNY. A PLEA FOR THE TEETOTALLERS .—At the Burgh Court on Saturday, before Provost Skinner and Bailie Smith, a wandering cork -cutter, named David Bain, was charged, under the Lindsay Act, with having been drunk and disorderly, especially in using obscene and abusive language to Mrs Sarah Woodward or Watterston, of the Cellardyke café, on the previous night. Pleading guilty with a rueful look, he was fined is 7/ 6d, with the option of 7 days’ imprisonment.
A DISORDERLY FISHERMAN. —At another diet of the above Court, Alexander Jack, fisherman, Cellardyke, was also charged with committing a breach of the peace, in so far as upon Saturday the 18th October he did conduct himself in a riotous, drunken, and disorderly manner in East Green Street, by cursing and swearing, and using obscene, abusive, and threatening language towards John Porter, railway agent. The panel pleaded guilty, remarking, “I never did any harm to John Porter or lifted my hand to any man in my life.” He was fined 10s 6d, or 10 days’ imprisonment in Cupar