1875
Scotch Fisherman Drowned,—James Gardner, of Cellardyke, part owner oi the fishing boat, Williams, was, while fishing, knocked overboard by a sail. His cries were heard, and efforts were made to rescue him but without success. The night was intensely dark, and the poor man was drowned.
1876
Cupar – Fife
Bankruptcy Examination – John Alexander Millar, Boat Builder Cellardyke, was examined in bankruptcy before Sherriff Bell yesterday, The Bankrupt’s liabilities are stated at £560 and his assets at £102 14s 4d . After Examination by Mr Johnston, agent for the creditors the statutory oath was administered.
INTIMATION. Andrew Caldwell, Cooper, in returning thanks to the inhabitants of Anstruther, Cellardyke, and surrounding Districts, for the liberal support given to his father while in business as jobbing Cooper, begs to intimate that he will continue to carry on the business of MAKING and REPAIRING TUBS, COGS, &c., in a Shop within the Curing Yard of Mr Forbes, East Green, when all Orders sent in there or at A. C.’s House, Castle Street, will be carefully attended to. Rain Water Barrels not easily removed will be Repaired at their Stances.
1878
Another Cellardyke Fisherman Drowned at Lowestoft.—Again the wild winds are sighing the sorrows the sea, and in the old home the big tear falling over the hopes and joys buried for ever in the deep. In this case the victim is Andrew Lyall, one of the crew of the Cellardyke boat ” Cyprus,” owned by his brother-in-law, Skipper John Watson (Lyall) which, like others of the Scottish fleet, sailed from Lowestoft for the herring sea in the course of Monday. The weather was and had been threatening; but cheered by the rising prospects of the fishing the boats had faced the terrors of the night, when the squall once more burst upon them with all the fury of the hurricane. It was in the hour of the wildest conflict with wind and sea that the “Cyprus,” while standing into the land, was struck by a tremendous wave, which buried the decks the bosom of the roaring cataract. The gallant boat bounded like a mighty wrestler from the grasp of her enemy, and each brave man breathed again a thankful prayer for his deliverance; but there was one hero the less after that ordeal. It was the sad old story: strong hand is struck in an instant from its last lifehold, and sent to battle, without a chance or possibility of rescue, in the jaws of death, where, perchance, the drowning cry is heard, but scarce heard, ere all is hushed for ever the silence of the grave. The disaster occurred about four o’clock on Tuesday morning, and in the course of the day the fatal news were telegraphed to Cellardyke, where the deceased, who about sixty years of age, leaves widow to bewail his loss. Andrew Lyall was fine specimen of a Scottish fisherman—strong and resolute as the element, at once his cradle and his grave, but withal as earnest and peace-loving, sympathetic and true, as the needle which so often guided him through the darkness and the storm; and both on the old shore and amongst his comrades on the far away cruise his untimely fate excited on all sides a general burst of sorrow and regret. Fife Herald – Thursday 31 October 1878 (The vessel was the Cyprus possibly KY96 launched not long before, built by John A Millar)
A Burgh Court was held in Cellardyke on Monday—all the Magistrates on the bench—when six schoolboys, named respectively John and Geo., sons Robt. Anderson Alexander, son of Jas. Moncrieff ; James, son of Jas. Parker; George, son James Salter; and William, son of William Melville, pleaded guilty having in a mischievous frolic smashed in the windows of the Infant School. The poor little urchins, they stood trembling and tears the bar, evinced great penitence for their thoughtless misdemeanour, and after a pointed reprimand from the Magistrates, they, rather their parents, were fined in the sum of 2s each according to the provisions of the Lindsay Act, under which the case was tried.
1879
The remains of Robert Marr, tailor, were interred in Kilrenny Churchyard on Monday. His father was a farmer in the neighbourhood of Peat Inn but during the troubled times of last century found it necessary to remove to the Highlands. His son Hobert was born in a church, and came to Cellardyke about 60 years ago. He was married in 1826, his wife being one of the annuitants under the Waid Trust, and he continued in business until about eight years ago, when the infirmities of old age induced him to relinquish work, and remove to West Anstruther. It may be mentioned that the deceased was the father of eight children, of whom five are still alive, and that he had 48 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
James Thomson, fish-cadger, Cellardyke, was charged with furious and reckless driving to the danger of the lieges on the road between Anstruther and Pittenweem, on Wednesday, the 15th October last. He pled not guilty, and in consideration that for subsequent conduct on same day, he had on Saturday been fined at the Pittenweem Burgh Court, the public prosecutor departed from the charge simpliciter, and the accused was dismissed.
Sad Tidings from the South. —A Yarmouth telegram was received in Anstruther on Sabbath with the mournful tidings that Alexander Brown, one of the crew the herring boat, “May Flower,” of Cellardyke, had died there early hour that morning from the effects, seems, exposure and fatigue at his stormy calling. The unfortunate mariner was about forty-eight years of age, and to the fatal voyage looked the very picture of hale and robust manhood. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. His elder brother, Bailie Brown, left Cellardyke to superintend his funeral, which was the occasion of another of those fine expressions of sympathy and brotherhood which do honour to all concerned. The seafaring men at Yarmouth—whether from the shores of the Forth or elsewhere—attended in large numbers, and the scene was a most impressive one as the large procession with its melancholy burthen, moved up the stately avenue to the grand old church of St Nicholas, under whose shadow he now rests, like unnumbered others, from the storm and the battle on this side of the river. He had his own share of those, and not the least interesting episode with which he had to do is the fact that he was the first in the East Neuk to launch away on this, his latest, herring sea. It is thus related the “ Fisher Life of Cellardyke” Profiting by a hint on Fisherrow beach, the skipper of the old “ Hope” sailed to the southward ; but, on arriving with his Fifeshire gear, he and his crew were exactly in the sad plight of seekers without a single hammer or pick to break into the mine. There were these who laughed; but, unmoved and undaunted, they once rigged their twenty nets with cork and messenger, and thus, like their English neighbours, went to sea, where they in the end prospered so well that they returned home with £32 to a hand, or, in other words, with a double harvest as compared with hook and line. This was in 1863, and the following autumn the lucky little craft and a companion boat renewed the venture, which, from that day, has engaged the enterprise of the coast.
Sale of Fishing Boats.—Our spirited townsman, Wm. Jarvis, has within the last ten days disposed of the two first-class fishing boats lying on his hands. Mr John Bett has bought the one, which is now being fitted out in the harbour, as the Ellice of Cellardyke, the other, which is all but out of the carpenters’ hands, has been sold to a company of St Andrews fishermen, who are to fish the herring as they are be found at one point or another of the coast all the year round.
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