1900
Grave Fears concerning a Steam Liner. —Some anxiety is felt here concerning the safety of the steam line fishing vessel Bernicia, belonging Mr Irvin , fish salesman, South Shields, and manned by a crew of Cellardyke fishermen. This vessel left Anstruther on Monday last week for the deep sea great line fishing with a supply of herring bait, and, like the majority trawlers and liners, must have experienced the full force of the storm on Thursday last week. The crafts belonging to the Anstruther Coys., which were overtaken the storm, reached land on Saturday, and it was expected that the Bernicia would reach Shields on Sunday; but up till Wednesday night there was word from any port. The crew, which consisted of eight, belong to Cellardyke—their names being Thos. Watson, skipper, married, with three of a family; Daniel Henderson, father-in-law of the skipper, who has a grown-up family of four; Alex. Boyter, who has six of a family; Alex. Murray, who has five grown up; Alex. Gardner, five; Thos. Gardner, married, but no family; James Stevenson, unmarried and Thos. Ritchie Cook, aged 18 years. The engineer and fireman belong to Shields. Our correspondent, writing on Thursday afternoon, says there is still no news of the missing liner Bernicia, and the fishermen and relatives here have given hopes as to her turning up.
Accident on Board a Liner. —Early on Thursday morning, as the Anstruther liner White Cross was lying off the harbour, the roll of the boat caused a paraffin flask to fall on the stove, with the result that in a short time the cabin was on fire. The fire was, however, speedily put out, but not before two of the crew sustained injuries by burning on the hands and face. The injuries, although severe, were not dangerous, and were attended to by Dr Wilson.
Loss of Cellardyke Fisherman. —Wm. Martin, second fisherman on board an Aberdeen trawler, who was washed overboard during the recent storm, is son of the late Alex. Martin, fisherman, Cellardyke.
Purchase of Property. The fishcuring yard, at the east end of Cellardyke, belonging the representatives of the late Mr Cormack, has been bought this week by Mr Melville, fishcurer. The total cost of the buildings, machinery, &c., was only £180—about a sixth of the original cost.
1902
ANSTRUTHER Launch.– A large fishing boat to the order of Messrs D. & Leslie Brown, Cellardyke, was launched yesterday from Mr James Miller’s boatbuilding shed at the harbour. ‘ The boat was named the Otway, and is to be fitted out for all classes of fishing.
FOR SALE, Privately. that very desirable Property situated in West Forth Street, Cellardyke, formerly used as Fishcuring Premises and recently as a Boot Factory, with Lofts, Shed., and Large Yard. Cart Entrance at Back. Entry at once.. Upset Price £250. No Fee duty. Apply to JOHN MARTIN & Co., Cellardyke.
1903
ASSAULT ON FIFE RAILWAY CONSTABLE. Before Sheriff Armour Cupar Sheriff Court to-day, William Myles, carter, John Street, Cellardyke, pleaded guilty having Tuesday, February, at the steelyard the fish loading bank, Anstruther Wester, assaulted William Thomson railway constable, while engaged controlling traffic, striking with his lists and tripping him up. A fine of 30s, with the alternative fourteen days in jail, was imposed.
Cellardyke Post – Bailie Butters said there was one matter he would like to bring up. It was about the delivery of the letters at night through Cellardyke. He did not think they were being treated quite fairly since the Post Office had been changed to the Shore Street in Anstruther. He understood the Cellardyke postman had got the whole East Shore Street to go over before he began in Cellardyke, with the result that practically they were an hour later in getting their letters at night. He knew it was always nearly nine o’clock ere he got his letters at night. He had spoken to a few of the merchants in Cellardyke, and they were all very much dissatisfied. He did not blame the postman, for he had always been a very energetic and obliging servant. He would like to know what form their objection or complaint should take. The Provost—The Council and merchants can get up a petition, and have it forwarded to the Post Office authorities. I know my own letters are very much later and I heard the other night it was ten o’clock ere he got to Rodger Street. It would appear the postman has too much to do at nights. Mr Melville said the Bailie was quite right in bringing this matter up before the Council. The Clerk can write on behalf of the Council and the merchants to the Postmaster-General on the subject, and see what effect it had It the postman had to go through all Cellardyke at nights he had plenty to do without taking any part of Anstruther. The Clerk agreed to write, and report the reply to a future meeting.
EXCITING SCENES AT ANSTRUTHER. NARROW ESCAPE OF LIFEBOAT AND CREW. A heavy south-easterly gale sprang early this morning when the fishing fleet were at sea. About two o’clock an alarm was raised that a fishing boat was in danger off the Billowness. The lifeboat was immediately launched, and manned, but owing to the heavy sea it was impossible to row out. Eventually after three attempts she was got out, but colliding with the back the west pier the oars on one side were broken to pieces, and but for the assistance rendered the boat would doubtless have gone to pieces. About half-past seven the wind moderated, and the crew proceeded to the assistance of the vessel, which proved to be the Providence of Cellardyke, Skipper John Birrell, who, in order to avoid a collision with a bauldie had in jibbing the boat broken her mast. The crew immediately put out anchors, which, fortunately for them, held. Meantime the North Berwick lifeboat had been wired for. When the crew of the Anstruther lifeboat reached the boat, the wind had considerably moderated and veered round to the west, that the danger was past. The North Berwick boat thereafter stood by the boat until she was eventually berthed safely into the harbour. The unsuitability of the Anstruther boat was freely commented on, as she is considered too heavy to pull and too light for under sail such times as to be of any service.
Before Sheriff Armour, in Cupar Sheriff Court on Tuesday, Robert Keith, carter, West Forth Street, was charged with having, on Wednesday, 4th February, within the shop at 21 John Street, Cellardyke, occupied by Albert Morris, confectioner, committed a breach of the peace, and caused Albert Morris and his wife to run out of the shop in terror; taken possession of the shop, locked the doors, destroyed a quantity of fried fish, chipped potatoes, and cakes, and assaulted Mrs Morris by striking her with his fist. Another man was implicated in the row, and was tried last week, Keith on that occasion pleading not guilty. On Tuesday Keith pleaded guilty, and admitted 10 previous convictions, and was sent to prison for thirty days, the Sheriff remarking that he could not see no feature in the case that could justify leniency. It ‘seined to be a most unwarrantable outrage, and accused had caused further trouble and expense by causing the Fiscal to bring witnesses when there was no need for them coming.
1904
CELLARDYKE HARBOUR LIGHT. —The light at the harbour was lit as a teat for the first time on Saturday evening. did not prove altogether a success, as it was considered that two lights instead of one would be required. The one lamp gave fishermen no guidance whatever, as they could steer for it from any direction, whereas the presence of two lamps would indicate the whereabouts of the passage. The contractor, Mr George Clark, plumber, notified the engineers as to this defect, but has received no further intimation on the subject.
The Geelong Advertiser, of January 6th, says, —Captain Alexander Cunningham of North Geelong late of Cellardyke, who early in November last had the misfortune to lose the craft —Marquis of Linlithgow—in heavy weather on Sea Elephant Rock near King Island, has lost no time in building her successor. On New Year’s Day he launched the deep sea fishing vessel, Earl of Elgin, at Hutton’s wharf, North Geelong, and the launch marks the completion of a unique and difficult task. The builder had neither mould nor model to work upon, but his resourcefulness overcame all difficulties, and he has turned out a very handy looking craft. The Earl of Elgin 55 feet long 19 feet beam and 7 feet 9 inches in draught, and let in amidships is a “well” 16 feet by 8, in which fish will be kept alive for delivery on the market in perfectly fresh order. She is built of best materials throughout and be jury rigged to proceed to Sea Elephant Rock to refit from the salvage of her predecessor. Captain Cunningham is the builder of six North Sea Scottish fishing boats which have stood their rough work admirably.
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