The Cellardyke Echo – 18/04/2024 -Issue 438

1890

LOSS OF CELLARDYKE FISHING BOAT AND ALL HANDS. In the end of last week considerable anxiety was felt in Cellardyke and Anstruther at the absence of the boat, Garland, Skipper Adam Watson. She left for the deep-sea fishing on Monday morning, the 7th, at four o’clock, and when the gale of Tuesday arose it was noticed she did not return with the rest of the fleet. As there were two or three other boats out as well not much was thought of the circumstance, but when Thursday arrived and no word from her, combined with the fact that all the others had returned, some uneasiness was experienced. From inquiries made at the crews of the other boats it was found that the skipper and crew of the Carmi saw the Garland riding at the nets about 55 miles to the east the May Island on Tuesday night, shortly after five o’clock. The crew of the Livonia also saw her then as well trying to weather out the gale by riding at the nets. On Saturday there were still no word of the Garland, and telegrams were sent to different ports asking inquiries to be made at vessels and steamers about her. Mr Mair, the fishery officer, also wired to Lowestoft for a steamer to be sent out in search, and on the Lowestoft officer communicating with the Admiralty instructions were given to the gunboat stationed at Lowestoft to cruise the sea and try and find out any particulars of the missing boat. H.M.S. Hearty at once sailed, and the captain and crew were engaged all Saturday afternoon, Sunday, and Monday in cruising about. The particulars about the boat and where last seen had been previously communicated to the captain. Meantime on Saturday anxious friends were on the outlook at Anstruther and Cellardyke for a sign of the Garland, but without success, and all Sunday the suspense which had been felt gave way to despair as to the safety of the crew and boat.

On Monday no tidings came to hand, and shortly after seven o’clock at night the Hearty arrived off Anstruther and signalled for the fishermen to come on board. One of the fishing boats was manned, and on reaching the gunboat the captain stated that, according to instructions, he had been cruising the North Sea that day in search of the missing Cellardyke boat Garland, and her crew of seven men. He had passed and repassed the place where the boat as last seen riding at her nets, 55 miles to the East of the May Island, but could find no trace whatever of her. He had found the gear of a fishing boat, but it was seen that it belonged to Skipper Birrell, of the Livonia, another Cellardyke boat which had been obliged to run for shelter from the storm. The captain offered to make another search with the fishermen, but this was deemed useless, the fishermen considering that everything possible had been done to find out her whereabouts. They thought it probable that the crew of the boat, after doing what they could to weather the storm without avail, would retire to the cabin and await their fate, and that the first or second heavy seas would sink her with all on board. Being filled with fixed cement for ballast there would be no chance of the boat floating. The fisher. men thanked the captain for all the trouble he had taken, and said there could now he no doubt of the fate of the missing crew. The Hearty left for Leith about midnight.

The crew of the Garland consisted of seven, and the most of them were related to one another. The names were. —Adam Watson, 65 years of age, grownup family; James Salter, 34, son-in-law, married; John Brown, 30, son-in-law; David Watson, 39, nephew by marriage, married and four of family; Alexander Smith, 28, married and two of family; Robert Brown, 22 unmarried; and Robert Watson, 16, unmarried. William Watson, son of the skipper, was unable to go with the boat through illness.

The crew were all well-known and highly respected in Cellardyke and district. The boat it is understood is insured, and so were also some of the crew. The loss of the beat and men has cast quite a gloom over the community. On Wednesday forenoon a Cellardyke boat arrived in Anstruther, and reported having picked up the jib boom of the Garland 35 miles off Shields. Funeral services are to be conducted in Kilrenny Church and in the Free Church in Cellardyke Forth Street Hall on Sunday afternoon.

The Garland KY 390 in Anstruther Harbour

1891

The Fishing Industry Anstruther and Cellardyke. —An attempt has made in Anstruther and Cellardyke to revive the fishing, which for the past three or four years, has been in a state of severe depression. In Cellardyke so serious has been the loss that many of the fishermen have left the district and sought employment in other occupations elsewhere. It is computed that in Cellardyke alone there are 60 empty houses, where five years ago one was not to be had for love or money. The particular method adopted for the revival of this industry is the formation of limited liability company to purchase steam liners to fish principally at Anstruther. Every encouragement has been given to the project, and already a representative committee has been appointed to ascertain the working expenses and cost of the liners, and the amount of capital which can raised in the district. It is considered that steamers of about 80 feet in length, and drawing from to 9 feet water, could be accommodated in Anstruther Harbour, and it is likely that one or two of these dimensions will purchased.

SUPPOSED TRAGIC OCCURRENCE IN THE FORTH. Cellardyke was plunged into a state of indescribable excitement on Wednesday night by the telegram from Elie to the effect that the yawl Pioneer had been picked up near Leven. The yawl was owned by Skipper Ritchie, who sailed from Anstruther towards the midnight of Tuesday for some tackle lying at Leith. With the adventurous spirit so like the man he pushed away in the shadows all alone. He was excelled by few either at the tiller or the sheet, but there is only too much reason to fear that a false step in the darkness had precipitated him into the water, or the little craft was caught in one of the black squalls flying the night, with no one near to pity to save. He was well known on this side of the North Sea as skipper of the Royal Diadem, and no little sympathy, need we say, being felt by the firesides of the coast for his wife and family, which includes four sons and four daughters, two of the latter being married. Up to Thursday afternoon nothing had transpired as to the fate of the poor skipper, but the yawl, which was found with her sail set, is lying in Elie, in the charge of the Coastguard.

1892

Fire in A Shop.— Shortly before ten o’clock on Tuesday night fire was discovered to have broken out in the grocer’s shop in George Street, Cellardyke, belonging to W. Sutherland. The fire got good hold of the counter, but by the aid of buckets water it was extinguished before a great deal of damage was done.

EXTENSIVE GROCERY, DRAPERY, OILSKIN, AND NET BUSINESS, INCLUDING STOCK IN TRADE IN CELLARDYKE, FIFESHIRE, FOR SALE To be SOLD by Private Bargain, either separately or together,

THE WHOLE GROCERY GOODS and

1. DRAPERY STOCK, BOOTS and SHOES, FISHING GEAR, &c., contained in the Shop occupied and so long carried on by Messrs Sharp & Murray, near Harbour Head, Cellardyke

2. The SEWING MACHINES and STOCK of OILSKINS in preparation, which may be in the Oilskin Factory; at the Braehead, Cellardyke, where a Good Business been carried on for a number of years.

3. The whole of the NET LOOMS, ENGINE, TURNING LATHE, and BLACKSMITHS TOOLS, &c., contained in the Net Manufactory, Cellardyke.

The Shop and above in which the above businesses are at present carried on may by arrangement be either sold or let on Lease, separately or together, and may along with the above stock be seen any day. For further particulars apply to John Guthrie, Solicitor, Anstruther, with whom Offers may be lodged on or before 14th April 1892 . The highest or any of the offers may not be accepted.

1893

The Blue Jackets, Cellardyke, vs the Vale of Leven, the Blues speedily settled their adversaries, beating them by 1 point to nil

ACCIDENT AT COLINSBURGH. The East of Fife Agricultural Show was not allowed to pass without someone carrying home a disagreeable memento of the occasion. As Alexander Gardiner, lorryman, Cellardyke, was leading a spirited young horse down the lane, and while near the cross roads, at the moment a bustling spot, the animal reared and pulled him forward. He fell near its feet, and the horse dragged him a few yards, and struck him in the side. Gardiner was obliged to let go, and a bystander took hold of the horse. On an examination being made it was seen that one rib had been broken, while the whole body was bruised. He was conveyed home, and the symptoms so far speedy recovery.

1894

CELLARDYKE. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. -Hon.—The following nine candidates, for the seven vacancies were nominated last Friday:—Messrs Alex. Black, manufacturer, Cellardyke; John Butters, grocer; Thomas Cormack, fishcurer; David Edie, farmer, Corn Ceres; David Gibb, farmer, Rennyhill; John Hutton, farmer, Kilrenny Mill; James Leslie, manufacturer: John Paton, jun., farmer, Blacklaws; and Peter Thomson, draper, Cellardyke. Messrs Gibb, Button, and Paton are the new candidates.

The old men attending John Street weekly meeting held their social meeting in the Town Hall last Friday evening. After a sumptuous tea, provided for by a few friends, the Chairman, Rev. A. G. Macalpine, said that theirs was a very unique meeting, and such as any minister would delight to attend and address. Their youngest worshiper was about 60 years of age, and their oldest 90. For 31 years their meeting had been carried on without a break under the supervision of their friend, Mr James Cunningham (Rodger) It appeared from the 20 present that their combined ages reached 1530 years, of which over 900 years had been spent on the sea. One present was the only survivor of a shipwrecked crew; and one had been twice washed overboard. Several had met with severe disasters, and thus their little meeting represented men whose limbs had been full of striking provinces. Further he urged that their long life told of three things— deepening shadows, coming night, and a near sunrise, the aged Christian being on the sunny side of heaven. Several young ladies and members of the Band of Hope enlivened the proceedings by songs, recitations, and instrumental music. Mr Alex. Cunningham (Nicol) also addressed the meeting. It is hoped that during the summer the veteran fishermen will have a day’s outing, in aid of which, donations will be received by Mr James Cunningham.

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