1890
On Tuesday the Lowestoft smack Early Blossom, owner Mr. R. G. Mason, came into Lowestoft having on board the crew of the Scotch fishing- boat Maggie Brown, K Y 1822, belonging to Robert Davidson of Cellardyke, which was run down by the smack about six miles E. by N. from the Crossing Buoy. Shortly after noon on Tuesday the fishing boat was lying to in the wind, and the crew observed the smack, which left port that morning, bearing down towards them under full canvas and a smart breeze. As no alteration was made in her course the Scotchmen hailed her, but without avail, and in a short space of time the smack struck the boat amidships with fearful force, cutting the craft almost in twain. The skipper who is the owner of the boat together with his crew, were just able to clamber on board the smack, barely escaping with their lives, and in two minutes the boat sank. Only the boy was observed at the helm of the smack, and the remainder of the crew deck immediately after the collision rushed on deck, but too late to render assistance. The skipper of the Early Blossom, without delay, steered for Lowestoft where on arrival the Scotchmen were taken to the Sailors’ Home, receiving every attention from Mr. W. Johnson and his assistants. On Wednesday the men were sent to Yarmouth from which port they had been fishing, and subsequently they were forwarded to their homes through the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.
Additional news – One of the crew, Peter Murray, was in the cabin, and had barely time to leap from the wreck when the boat sank like lead to the bottom. The crew were landed at Lowestoft. Skipper Davidson has put in a claim for £500.
THE LOSS OF THE St MONANS BOAT ELLORA.— The Yarmouth papers to hand give particulars of the collision of two fishing boats, which resulted in the sinking of the Ellora of St Monans, and the loss of six men :—The collision took place at an early hour on Wednesday morning last week, and was between the Jessie Macpherson, hailing from Inverness, and the St Monans boat Ellora. The result was that the latter foundered immediately with the crew, and the former was abandoned in a sinking condition, the crew being rescued by the Cellardyke boat Guiding Star, Skipper George Ritchie, which took them into Lowestoft in the course of the day. The intelligence of the fatality cast quite a gloom over the fishermen in port, and great sympathy is felt for the relatives of the men who, without a moment’s warning, found a grave in the sea The skipper of the Jessie Macpherson is a relative of the owner of the boat, Archibald Macpherson, and, according to his statement, it appears that during the season the vessel has been fishing out of Yarmouth. On Tuesday morning about nine o’clock they left this port for the fishing grounds in the vicinity of Smith’s Knoll. At four o’clock the nets were shot, the weather then being moderate and fine. During the night all went well, and the moon was fairly bright. By one o’clock on Wednesday morning the nets were all hauled in, and the skipper made for port. Shortly before half past four o’clock the vessel was about twenty miles W. by N. of Yarmouth. The weather then had changed considerably, and the wind was blowing strong, accompanied by a nasty sea and heavy rain. At this moment a green side light was observed about a mile off on the port side and steering towards them. Nothing was apprehended until the strange vessel got a little nearer, when the course was altered a little, but not sufficient to avoid a collision. The crew of the Jessie Macpherson hailed the craft repeatedly but received no response, and the next moment the vessel, which was observed to be a Fifeshire fishing boat, crashed into their port bows with terrific force, cutting them through down below the water’s edge. The vessel parted by the force of the collision and drifted apart. The crew of the stranger were observed to rush up on deck, but in a very short space of time she went down with all hands, about a quarter of a mile off. The crew of the Jessie Macpherson, as soon as they recovered from the shock of the collision, found the water rushing into their vessel in great volumes, and the pumps, which were immediately tried, were found to be of no avail. The Poor fellows, with the dread certainty of a watery grave, gave way to despair, and awaited with agony their apparently speedy doom. Fortunately, a light was observed in the distance, and with renewed hope the skipper turned the vessel in its direction, and the approach of the craft, as may easily be imagined, was watched with almost feverish anxiety. The men shouted to draw the attention of the other boat, which proved to be the Guiding Star, and succeeded in making their cries of distress heard. The master of the latter boat ran up, and discovering the dangerous position of the men, promptly and with considerable risk put his vessel in close, and as she rushed by five of the crew jumped on board the vessel, A line was then passed over from the Guiding Star to the sinking boat, and the remaining three members of the crew were dragged through the water by ropes on to the deck, one of them, Archibald Macpherson, being unconscious, having been injured in the head when the collision occurred. The Jessie Macpherson, when abandoned had about 4 ft of water in her hold, and several lasts of herring, the result of the previous night’s fishing. The skipper of the Guiding Star immediately made for Lowestoft, where on arrival, the injured man was conveyed to the hospital. The boat that was in collision with the Jessie Macpherson, was ascertained to be the Ellora of St Monans. One of the crew, Peter Gerard, was able to keep himself afloat until picked up by the Children’s Friend, a Scotch boat sailing out of this port. The Jessie Macpherson, the owner of which is William Macpherson of Hopeman, did not sink, and has been towed into Lowestoft Harbour. The skipper of the lost boat was William Leslie. Gerard arrived home in St Monans on Tuesday evening. He reports that when the Ellora went down the skipper and another of the crew clung to the boom, while he floated on a hatch. He was rescued in a very exhausted condition after being for a long time in the water. There was no trace then of his companions, In the churches in St Monans and all along the coast references were made on Sunday to the said occurrence. It may be mentioned that Skipper Leslie was the treasurer of the Congregational Church, and on the last Sunday he was at borne he presided over the prayer meeting to ask for a blessing on the voyage to Yarmouth.
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Ellora, KY 367, The names of those drowned are :—Wm. Leslie, skipper, married ; his brother and partner, John Leslie, wife and three children ; David Easson, unmarried ; John Smith, wife and one child ; Robert Smith, unmarried ; Wm. Wood, unmarried. The Ellora was built by Mr James Reekie, four years ago, and was in every respect one of the finest and best equipped boats at Lowestoft this season……… The collision occurred about 4 a.m. With a stiff breeze blowing at the time the crash was fearful. The Hopeman boat was so shattered in the bow that the skipper steered for a light, which proved to be the “Guiding Star” of Cellardyke. They leaped for their lives, but one of the crew was seriously injured. The boat kept above water, and was towed into Lowestoft next day. The unfortunate ” Ellora ” went down within a minute or two of the collision. Four of the crew were drowned, but the skipper and another clang to the boom A third, James Gerrard, floated on a hatch. It was one o’clock, nine hours after the collision, when the crew of the Prestonpans boat, “Children’s Friend,” heard a low wail on the breeze. It came from the young man, James Gerrard, who was rescued in an exhausted condition. He was the only survivor, as no trace could be friend of the others.
Intelligence was received in Anstruther on Saturday night stating that William Montadore one of the crew of the Cellardyke fishing boat Venus Star, fishing at Lowestoft, was washed overboard and drowned in the storm at an early hour on and Friday morning. He leaves a widow and family He is the eighth East of Fife fisherman lost within the last fortnight at the English Fishing
The Fife fishing fleet was caught in the gale on the coast of Norfolk at the end of the week. Several boats were in fearful peril on the banks, where the surf was running mountains high. They escaped by a miracle but the St Monance veteran, James Fyall, was swept overboard from the “Star of Bethlehem,” of Cellardyke, and drowned. He was 64 years of age, and leaves n widow and grown up family.
1891
H.R.H. Princess Louise, while on her way to Kellie Castle, recently stopped at Anstruther for some time, and visited some of the principal places of interest. The party attracted little attention, and although many inquiring glances were cast at them, they were not recognised. They visited a local watchmaker’s, and purchased a watch on account of the interesting story attached so it. A native of Cellardyke acted as steward on Lord Nelson’s flagship. Something went wrong with the galley-clock, and Nelson gave him this watch to keep things right. It has remained in the family for some time, but came into Mr Lumsden’s possession latterly, and in answer to the inquiries of the party, he produced it, and they eagerly bought it.
Sale of Property.—The block of dwelling houses and gardens in the main street of Kilrenny belonging to Mr John Gilchrist, were exposed for sale in Cellardyke Town Hall on Monday, when it was acquired by Mr James Skinner, on behalf of Mr Robert Gray, Railway Tavern, West Anstruther for £115.
1892
DISTURBING THE SALVATION ARMY —At East Anstruther Burgh Court on Friday David Davidson, fisherman, Cellardyke, was charged with creating a breach of the peace by swearing and shouting at the Cross, Shore Street, on the 28th October. Two previous convictions were recorded against him. He pled guilty. The Fiscal stated that accused had interrupted an open-air meeting, and when the Salvation Army marched to the “Fort ” he followed and renewed his swearing, &c. Davidson said that he had been attracted to the spot by the singing when a minister said, “Let us pray for a drunken brother,” which vexed him. After further remarks, he became so rambling that Provost Anderson called him to order. In passing sentence, the Provost said that as the other convictions were dated several years ago they would not be emoted. The fine was 7s 6d, or 7 days.. Davidson loudly declared his inability to pay, and was again warned. The money was subscribed by friends in court
At Kilrenny Burgh Court Alexander Keith, labourer, Cellardyke, was charged before Provost Martin and Bailies Thomson and Williamson with creating a breach of the peace and assaulting Thomas Brown, fisherman, in his own house on the 28th ult. Four previous convictions were also produced. Keith pled guilty. There had been a family quarrel, and he had gone to his father-in-law’s house and committed the assault. He was fined 10s.
1893
SHOP TO LET, No 1 John Street, Cellardyke, presently occupied by Thomas Cormack, Butcher. Rent Moderate. Apply James LESLIE, Cellardyke.
1894
Disturbance.—At a Burgh Court Saturday, before Provost Anderson and Bailie Lumsden, Thomas Lowrie, fisherman, Cellardyke, pled guilty to creating a disturbance in Rodger and Shore Streets the previous night. The Fiscal said the disturbance lasted for half an-hour, and although accused was told to go home quietly several times he paid no attention, but continued to curse and swear. There was a previous conviction against him. A fine of 10s. or ten days imprisonment was imposed.
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