1870
LIGHT CASE. John Adamson, manager of the Anstruther and Cellardyke Gas Co., sued George Peebles, tailor, Anstruther, for the sum of 11s 2d, for gas consumed by him. Defender stated that his reason for refusing to pay the amount was that he considered it a gross overcharge. He handed the gas-book to his Lordship, remarking that he would see the great difference in the quantity of gas burned in the other quarters, while he (defender) was of opinion that he had burned less instead of more. From the evidence of the pursuer and another witness, if appeared that the meter in defender’s house had been taken out and repaired. The meter was examined on the 4th of February 1869, indicating at that time 300 feet, which was paid for at the time. It was again examined on the 4th of May, when it indicated 1900 feet, being a consumption of 1600 feet, the price of which was now sued for. The Sheriff said as the meter seemed to have been going regularly enough after it had been repaired, it would never do for him to decide against the company on such slight grounds as a comparison of the quantity consumed in former quarters. Decree for pursuer, with 4s 7d of expenses.
LICENSING COURT. —A court for disposing of applications for certificates for the sale of excisable liquors was held here on Tuesday—Provost Martin and Bailie Watson on the bench. The only application was from Alexander Gourlay, fisherman, Cellardyke, for a grocer’s licence. There being no objections, the certificate was granted.
1871
A Cheap Sloop.—The other week reported that an Anstruther herring boat had been offered for five shillings and failed to find a purchaser ; but that incident fully found a parallel on Friday last, when a smack of fifty tons burthen fully equipped for sea, was sold public auction at the harbour for £14 10s. The smack was the well-known coaster ” Maggie Lauder ” which has been owned for some months past South Shields, but, in consequence of the dull state of the times her owner determined to sell her here at any sacrifice. upset price was named but a Cellardyke shipowner made offer of £5, which led to a short but spirited competition that resulted the vessel being knocked down to the figure already stated to Mr David Anderson, slater, St Andrews. This sloop is of great age, having been built at West Anstruther in 1790, but her history is most remarkable. Through a late owner. Captain Ebenezer Watson, this small vessel of 29 tons register, Capt. Watson contrived, by thrift-and industry, to earn a large sum of money, and become the proprietor of other vessels of much larger tonnage. This was a time when intemperance was only the too common characteristic of the coasting skippers; but when some his neighbours would be four days on the journey between St Andrews and Anstruther, never rising from a public house for nights together, and squandering their freight in shameless debauchery, Capt. Watson would be steadily attending his work, and gained by perseverance and forethought what the idle and profligate ascribe to mere luck. The old sloop was, however singularly fortunate, and it was often a jocular remark that the wind would become fair when the “Maggie Lauder” was ready for sea ; and though she often embarked on a London and Caithness passage, and that at a time when no Bell Rock light- or even serviceable beacon any kind cheered the mariner as he toiled along the dark and dangerous coast, the little Dutch-looking smack out-braved all perils, and is one of the last the numerous fleet of coasters built at Anstruther, which, indeed, in the end of the last and beginning of the present century, was the principal ship-building seat the Firth.
TOTAL LOSS OF THE CLIPPER SHIP TAEPING. Intelligence has reached Liverpool, by telegraph, from Hong Kong, of the total loss of the celebrated China tea clipper ship Taeping, for many years the favourite ship in the great race from China. Crushed out of the tea freights to England, in consequence of the competition of steamers via the Suez Canal, even the celebrated clippers have been forced to take “cross freights” and at the time of her loss the Taeping was going from Amoy to New York, with a full cargo of tea. She is reported lost on Lord Reef—a dangerous reef in the China Seas. The master and 11 men had been landed at Saigon; remainder of crew (officers and 13 men) missing. Her Majesty’s ship Teaser had left Saigon to look for them, and to see if any cargo could be saved. The Taeping was a composite ship of 767 tons, was built by Steele, of Greenock, in 1863, and owned by Rodger & Co., of Glasgow. She was built in almost faultless lines, and her dimensions, according to official returns, were :—Length, 183 ft. 7in. ; breadth, 31ft. lin. ; and depth, 19ft. 9itt. She was commanded by Captain J. Dowdy, who has commanded her since 1867. We understand that a telegram was received in Cellardyke on Wednesday from Alex. Rodger, Esq., Glasgow stating that of the three boats in which the crew of the Taeping had taken refuge, one had arrived at Saigon and the other at Batavia. A young lad named John Watson, son of Mr James Watson (Salter), formed one of the crew, and as it is not known whether he is in any of the boats which have turned up or in the one still missing, some anxiety is naturally felt for his safety.
OPENING OF A TELEGRAPH OFFICE.—Although the telegraph wires have been extended to the Post Office here for some time back, it was not until Wednesday that the office was formally opened for the despatch of messages. On that day, four telegrams were sent off, which, taking into account the dull state of trade at present, may be considered very satisfactory for a commencement. This office, however, does not as yet deliver messages, those arriving at Anstruther for persons residing in Cellardyke being delivered by the message boy at the former place. This materially detracts from the benefit the opening of the office was expected to confer, but it is to be hoped that the Post Office authorities will favourably consider the representations of Provost Martin, who, ever attentive to the interests of the burgh, has already taken steps to endeavour to have messages delivered as well as despatched from the office here.
STABLE ON FIRE.—About eight o’clock on Wednesday night, a fire broke out in a stable occupied by Mr Alex. Myles, it appears that a boy had gone in to supper the horse, and while doing so had laid the lantern on the floor, when by some means or other the straw got ignited. The alarm was at once given, and in a few minutes a large number of persons turned out, by whose assistance a part of the roof was taken off, and the fire soon subdued. The horse was got out of the stable immediately after the fire commenced, but some pigs which were also in it received a slight scorching. The stable, which was insured, is not very seriously damaged.
1872
CELLARDYKE FISHING BOAT ASHORE AT YARMOUTH. —Last Thursday afternoon, as the fishing boat belonging to Skipper Robert Keay, of Cellardyke, was proceeding to sea with a strong breeze blowing, she struck the ground at the side of the river. Fearing that they were in danger, the sail was let go, and the boat made fast to the side of the quay. The crew then made fast thick ropes aft and forward to the shore, in order to keep the boat from being driven down by the tide, which runs very fast. While in this position, one of the beachmen let go the stern rope, and immediately ran off, and the boat then went down the river until she went on shore at the north bank. The sea was running pretty high at the time, and breaking over the boat; which soon filled with water. The assistance of other Scotch fishermen at present at Yarmouth was obtained, and the boat hauled up as far as possible, but it was not until four o’clock next morning that she was got up at the back of the quay, with her ‘ gibber strikes’ split, and her bilge ropes off. It is to be hoped that the beachman who played the dastardly trick to the crew will be discovered, and receive the reward he so richly deserves.
1873
A storm of unusual severity commenced here on Sunday night, and continued to rage with unabated fury until Monday morning. About six o’clock a dismasted schooner was observed beating about the entrance to the Firth of Forth; and shortly after that hour a Cellardyke yawl (manned by veteran Cellardyke Pilot Thomas Cunningham) went off in the gale to ascertain if any assistance was required. The vessel proved to be the Isabella, of Arbroath, bound for Grangemouth, with a cargo of coals. Both of her masts had been carried away by the gale, but the master only requested that a telegram might be sent for a steam tug. About midday the lifeboat was launched, manned by an intrepid crew of Cellardyke fisherman, George Moncrieff coxswain as with fore and main sheets tightened to the blast, the noble boat sped like a bird on her errand of deliverance and mercy towards the disabled hulk. The Piers and every look-outpoint were crowded with anxious spectators, but before the lifeboat could reach the schooner, two tug steamers fortunately came and by their united agency —though with difficulty— she was towed to Leith.
1874
Sea Doings, —The boisterous weather in the end of last week and beginning of the present has seriously checked the labours of the hardy mariner. Last week the fleet steered for the fishing ground, but being overtaken by the gale from the south-westerly were forced to return to land, which several crews only reached after great toil and difficulty. A number of boats from the other harbours of the Forth also encountered the storm, and were glad to flee for refuge into Crail and the nearest shore. This week our gallant fishers had another buffeting, but they succeeded in working their gear. The haddock takes ranged from ten to fifteen basketfuls and sold from 14s to 15s a hundredweight. A mishap occurred to the Cellardyke deep sea going boat of Skipper David Watson at the fisking ground, when the mast snapped by a sudden lurch of the boat, but the crew were so fortunate as to reach Crail under a jury rig without further disaster. The storm continued over Wednesday, but the favourable change on the following day saw the brave little fleet once more merrily dancing over the sunny wave. As may be inferred, from over fifty of the boats of Cellardyke being engaged in the herring fishing on the Norfolk coast, the weather appears to have been equally unfavourable at Lowestoft and Yarmouth as in the Forth and although a trial has been made, comparative little has been done by our East of Fife crews. There is likely, however, to be a keen demand for engaged boats next Lammas on the east coast of Scotland, as owing of course to the very profitable returns to the merchants this season, offers are already being made to the Cellardyke skippers by agents or curers from the north.
“The Battle of the Brae”
The Magistrates of East Anstruther held a Criminal Court on Monday— Provost Tod and Bailie Darsie on the bench—when Henry Williamson, a native of Fisherrow, but at present fishing from Cellardyke, and Skipper Peter Murray (Reekie) were placed at the bar charged with having committed an assault by striking and kicking Alex Parker, a son of the harbour pilot, at the Brae, on Thursday evening; and also with having caused a breach of the peace at the same time and place. Harry pleaded guilty under circumstances, as he said , “of strong provocation”; but Skipper Murray, with ringing emphasis, put in a plea of “not guilty”. Evidence was then led, when the complainer Parker, deponed to having been struck by the panels in Mr Anderson’s Public-house, and afterwards, as stated in the charge till he was insensible. Mr Anderson, vintner stated that there was “row” in his house between Parker and Williamson, when he put them to the door, when he heard a great noise, but on going out he saw the complainer lying on the ground but he saw no case of assault whatever, John Hepburn, cooper, swore to the assault as charged against Williamson, but he did not see the Skipper interfere. Robert Culbert an apprentice cooper corroborated this evidence, but said that he distinctly heard Skipper Murray say to the other “give it him if he could.” Sophia Parker, sister of the complainer, deponed that she saw Williamson kicking her brother, when the Skipper called out “ Stick it to the ——” There was no exculpatory evidence, and the Magistrates having found the case proven, Harry was sentenced to a fine of 30s or thirty days in prison, and Skipper Murray, in consideration of his being less directly implicated was fined 20s or twenty days in prison. Skipper Murray indignantly protested against his conviction, declared that the complainer, Parker, was the drunkest amongst them; but Harry Williamson had given way to a violent exhibition of anger and excitement, in the course of which he was tossing down his fine like a man who had been cheated in a bad bargain, when he was seized by the constable in the act of leaving the Court, and being once more being placed at the bar, was there and then fined 10s, with ten days in prison, for contempt of court this being 40s in his case. The fines were paid. ( The Pub was the Forth Tavern)
NARROW ESCAPE OF YOUNG WOMAN.—Yesterday morning a young woman, a daughter of Mr John Muir (Anderson), Cellardyke, had a very narrow escape from being run over by a cart. She was turning the corner at the entrance to Cunzieburn Street, just as two carts loaded with barrels full of herrings were passing, when her dress got entangled among her feet, and she fell with her head right in front of one of the carts. The carter was on the other side of the cart at the time, and did not observe the occurrence, but the young woman succeeded in raising her head just as the wheel was about to go over her, although so narrow was her escape that the side of her face was slightly bruised grazed by coining into contact with the wheel.
Wanted Two Boys for the Boatbuilding trade. Good Wages and Short Apprenticeship. Apply to J Millar, Cellardyke
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