1870
The recent unproductive herring fishings have naturally had a ruinous effect upon those branches of trade more immediately connected with it. This of course is especially the case with boat-building, which at present contrasts very poorly with what it was several years ago. Only three new boats- one in Anstruther and two by John M. Robertson, St Monance are in the mean time in the hands of East of Fife builders; but we hear that Mr. Alexander Cunningham of Cellardyke, who has so successfully introduced the full decking of boats is on the eve of contracting for one. The trade in Anstruther is being carried on with much spirit by Mr. Jarvis, whose boats have graceful lines and splendid sea qualities for which Mr. Pottinger’s models are so highly esteemed by our Cellardyke fishermen, and their superiority to this effect has secured for them a ready sale. The keen competition which in the meantime exists amongst out carpenters is leading, it is said to contracts on the lowest margin of profits. Two boats – one 42ft the other 43feet long last contracted for at St Monance- are at the price of £105 and £110 respectively while the recent sale at Anstruther of a boat of a similar class was for the sum of £114.
THE FISHERMEN AND THE NEW HARBOUR.—A deputation of Cellardyke boat skippers held a conference with the Committee of the Harbour Commission on Tuesday morning, for the purpose of stating their views regarding the practicability of the new pier. Messrs Charles Carstairs and John Pratt were the chief speakers, and their opinions went to show that, owing to the new pier being carried out so far, there was great difficulty in entering the present harbour. They maintained that a great water commotion was caused in the fairway by the rush of water flowing off the new pier, which, meeting the back flow from West Anstruther beach about the entrance to the new harbour, caused a cross swell, and made it very difficult for boats to get in or out when there was the least sea on. In order to obviate this, they were of opinion that the point of the new pier should he at the outermost portion of it which is now left standing, or about 90 feet further inwards than before. The Committee having heard the statements of the fishermen, told them that as they had no concern with the building of the new harbour, they could not interfere in the matter, but recommend them to procure an interview with the engineers when they visited the locality, and lay their case before them.
1871
Model Fishing Boats. —About five years ago, an interesting series of experiments were made by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, order to improve once the safety and utility of fishing boats. For this highly laudable purpose, experienced builders at various Scottish fishing stations were commissioned to construct boats after approved design. Two of these boats were built Anstruther, by Bailie Christopher Pottinger. The first being reckoned too small for this coast, was stationed at Lossiemouth but the second, built in the autumn of 1867, was given in charge to Mr Robert Brown, and latterly to Mr Alex. Cunningham, boat-skipper, Cellardyke, for the tentative purpose of their construction. The boat was on entirely novel principles; each end was fitted up as a water-tight compartment, the deck and hatchways were secured like a sailing ship, and the hull was also narrower in proportion to length than was the case in the ordinary fishing boats. So thoroughly was she got up, that her cost was upwards of £300 the time she was ready for sea. The Institution had certainly no mercenary motive in this experiment, as the boat was given over to the skipper on the liberal arrangement that he was to receive one-half of her earnings for his trouble, while the other half was to be expended in keeping her in repair. The fact may be new to many, but great is the tear and wear of a deep sea-going boat, that her deal, or share, scarcely suffices uphold her ; and consequently it was not to be expected that the Scotch Lassie —as the boat was named —should yield any per-centage, though prudence and care, we understand, the outlay from first to last has been fully covered the receipts. After a trial of three years, during which the boat has been employed in all seasons, she was lately sold to her skipper, Mr Cunningham, for £100. large sum has thus been expended the National Lifeboat Institution ; but this of minor importance in the question, Has the experiment succeeded? Certainly not regards any appreciable influence upon the fishing boats of the coast, inasmuch as the leading advantages the model had been already anticipated—the cabin, the deck, the mizen in lieu of the mainsail, had been previously adopted- – while the specific features of these safety boats maybe held to be of more theoretical than practical value. other parts the coast, however, these models were obviously a vast improvement, and altogether the Lifeboat Institution deserve well of the country in this laudable endeavour to promote the comfort and secure the safety of our hardy fishermen.
About half-past seven o’clock on Wednesday morning, while the fishing boat ” Alexander and Elizabeth,” belonging to Mr Alex. Tarvit, was returning from the fishing ground, and while about a mile and a half off Cellardyke, one of the crew, named Robert Drummond, was knocked overboard by the sail. Strenuous endeavours were immediately made to rescue the unfortunate man, who was seen floating on his back in the water. The crew of the boat “Johns” of Fisherrow, Mr John Brown, skipper, who saw Drummond in the water, also made every exertion to save him, but were unable to get close enough to him, and about ten minutes after the accident happened, the body disappeared. Drummond was a labourer, but has been acting as a half-dealsman during the fishing. He was 41 years of age, and has left a widow and seven children totally unprovided for.
1873
” A Saturday Night Spree.”—At Burgh Court held here on Saturday—Provost Todd and Bailie Bonthrone on the bench—Robert Anderson and David Wood, two young fishermen residing in Cellardyke, pleaded guilty to having committed breach of the peace by being drunk and disorderly opposite to the Salutation Inn towards midnight on Saturday week. It appears that the former panel had been taken into custody by the policeman and lodged in the lock up, but the circumstances of the case were of such a mitigated nature as to induce the Magistrates to impose the nominal penalty of fine of 5s.
Poor winter herring season at Anstruther
- 1873 903 crans
- 1872 5705
- 1871 5205
- 1870 2075
- 1869 6805
1874
Brotherhood of the Sea.—One dark and stormy night some weeks ago, the boat of skipper Charles Carstairs of Cellardyke, was at the drift fishing, when a large sea going steamer ran foul of the gear and the rope, parting some eight or nine of the nets, which were carried away by the current and could not be found. This was a heavy loss, but such is the everyday experience of the hardy fisher, though fortunately, in this case, the nets came the way of honest neighbours. These were the crew of the Cockenzie boat owned by Messrs Thomas Donaldson and Robert Johnstone, who took the nets on shore, and spread them as carefully on the green as if they had been their own; but what is still more to their praise, they declined to take a fee or reward for their trouble, on the missing gear being claimed the Cellardyke owners. A case like this may well lead to the reflection of how much ill-will and mischief at sea would be avoided, if sea-faring men would everywhere do, as in this instance, as they would like to be done by.
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