1885
ENTERTAINMENT TO EMPLOYEES.—The employees of the Cellardyke Factory, numbering over 40, were entertained one day last week to cake and fruit, by their employers, Messrs Duncan and Black. Kindly greetings and the goodwishes of the season were mutually exchanged. Recitations and songs were well rendered by several, and at the close the respected foreman, William Smith, in suitable terms returned thanks in behalf of the workers.
Anstruther Harbour Commission – The topic of the night was the claim of £1 1s 2d by the skipper of the Cellardyke boat ” Angler” (John Wilson) being the carpenter’s account for damage in consequence of the obstructed inlet to the harbour on the night of Thursday week, in reference to which, at the suggestion of the clerk, a deputation of fishermen also waited upon the Board. According to their statement the entrance to the inner basin was so wedged with boats that on the little squadron of six arriving from St Andrews they could find no access, and hence the mishaps of the night. They also complained that the orders of the harbour-master were not sufficiently respected, and urged so as to effect this that he might to have an assistant in the busy days of the drave. The harbour-master, who was also present, defended himself by saying that he had asked each of the six crews to send a volunteer, when he would and could have cleared the fairway. They refused, and it was impossible for him single-handed to shift the boats, as their crews had gone home for the night save in the case of a Pittenweem skipper who threatened to fight if his moorings were let go. The statement about the volunteers was flatly contradicted by more than one of the deputation. The harbour-master also excused himself in there not being explicit bye-laws with regard to the fairway; hut he was reminded by the Chairman and others that he was already invested with full control by the Harbour Act. He and the deputation then withdrew, when the chairman referred to Mr Adamson’s motion of nine months ago for the appointment of an efficient harbour-master inasmuch as even then Captain Gellatly was unfitted by age for the duties. Discussion followed; but in the end it was agreed, on the motion of Bailie Darsie, seconded by Provost Skinner, to continue the Captain for the present with lightkeeper Parker as assistant during the drave at 10s a week. The claim was not allowed.
1886
THE HERRING FISHING. ANECDOTES AND EXPERIENCES OF THE WEEK. Our Anstruther correspondent writes:—”I hae seen mair herrin’ on the pier already than been counted a guid drave in my time,” explained one of the fathers of Cellardyke the other day in reference to the catch Anstruther returned officially the end of the week 2324 crans or 1000 over last year, while for the district, i.e., from Crail to Buckhaven it is being increase as compared with it of fewer than 4070 barrels. The average price is 17s 6d, but it invites notice that last week the minimum here thanks to the English -buyers was 15s, when elsewhere as for instance at Wick and Peterhead it fell to 5s, or less not to speak of Buckie where one the nets were shaken on the pier for a free ” banquet” for any that would take it, though after all load after load were carted to the fields of Cullen where a cargo of 60 crans of was thrown into the sea.
Meanwhile the weather has not been propitious, gales of wind, alternating with moonlight as clear day. The frost has also been intense. “I never was oot in sae bitter night,” said. the veteran on Tuesday, but, nevertheless, the fleet fished well in the old world rendezvous. “Twa lights in ane,” i.e., the stream between the islet and the shore, that the take is one of the best of the season. Several, indeed, in the case of the Cellardyke boat Jessie, were unable to draw as of old because “the multitude of fishes”, and so lost from five to ten nets. There was also the most hopeful of all signs—the sea eagle, the cod —true to its instinct— is so numerous in the Firth that-scores are being caught in the drift or in the handline. Owing, however, to the telegrams from Wick, &c., the price fell to 10s or 11s. But the sky was already betokening a change. ” I doot if we’ll be aff the nicht, freens,” said big Peter, and he was right, for the wind going against the sun was by and by so high that the eighteen or twenty yawls from Newhaven. and twice that number or so of boats from Buckhaven did not put to sea. Perhaps, also, the half of the East of Fife boats did not cast their nets, but some at least that did so might well say with the Lowestoft, clerk, “Faint heart never won fair lady.” Boat after boat came in with to 50 crans, but it was not all gain. “It wud hae been tellin’ us we had never seen a herrin’,” cried one skipper with thirty crans, but, pointing as he spoke to his torn nets or rather empty head rope, and this was so far the experience of the night. As was to be expected the price fell to 7s or less. As usual the buyers and the men scarcely took time to wipe the sweat drop to set the consignments away by the first train—in fact Anstruther shore has not rung merrily with the foot and wheel of traffic for many a day. We may thus epitomise the; doings at St Monance —200 crans landed last -week, take. 15s; rest 18s to 20s. Mr Philip’s white fish sales are follows —Cod, 3s 6d -to 4s 6d ; ling, 3s 6d to 4s, skate, 2s 6d to 3s each ; haddocks,10s to 18s per basket.
1887
About half of the fleet fishing at Anstruther (about 40 boats) put to sea on Monday morning ; but the gale from the southward forced them to take shelter on the Lothian side. This was being dime when, during one of the blinding snowstorms, the “Golden Rule ” of Cellardyke was run into and cut to the water’s edge by one of the Cockenzie boats, Shemariah. Providentially the occurrence was seen by two other Cellardyke skippers who at once bore up to the rescue, when such help was given that the damaged boat was kept afloat till she was towed into Cockenzie harbour. Owing to the boisterous state of the weather very few cast their nets; but those who did so were well rewarded, landing from 5 to 10 crans. All reports go to show that a large body of herrings are now in the Forth, while, with good weather, our fishermen have all the encouragement of the presence of the largest number of English and other buyers that have been here for many years.
1888
GOLDEN WEDDING —Last night, Mr and Mrs Robert Brown, West Forth Street, Cellardyke. celebrated their golden wedding. For the occasion a company of old friends and neighbours to nearly twenty, were invited to tea, after which the golden wedding cake presented by a lady friend, was cut and test by those present. Mr Brown made a short address, welcoming all on the present occasion, which to him was one of mingled feelings. He remembered well in 1838 when commencing married life he had considerable misgivings as to the future, but he could look back and say his life had been a happy one. Rev. Mr MacAlpine followed with a humorous and congratulatory address, in the course of which he expressed his admiration for Mr and Mrs Brown, who had always been to him true friends. Provost Martin and others also delivered short addresses. A very pleasant evening was spent. The numerous presents which were given, were very handsome. A telegram of a congratulatory nature from a friend in St Andrews was received in the course of the evening.
BEREAVEMENT. A great sorrow has just befallen the homes of Cellardyke in the death on Thursday of Mrs George Ritchie (Anderson) in her 41st year. She had given birth in the end of the previous week to twins, who are now left with seven brothers and sisters to weep for that sweetest of all earthly blessings a mother’s love. Though years have past since this, she will not soon be forgotten as the devoted teacher in the Sabbath School which she left to enter on and to realise, as few have realised, what a faithful wife and loving mother may be. The self-sacrifice of such a one is not seen publicly, but the widespread lamentation over the sad loss of her useful life was so far testified at her interment on Sabbath when over five hundred—the largest company that ever met on such an occasion on the coast—followed the hearse to the old God’s Acre at Kilrenny. The gifted pastor of the Free Church, the Rev. A. G. MacAlpine, made a touchingly beautiful pulpit reference to the melancholy event.
1889
Gospel Temperance in Fife.— Mr Thomas Russell from Perth, but so closely allied with the East of Fife, discoursed on this subject in the Baptist Church, Anstruther, on Sabbath evening. In the course of his able and interesting appeal the lecturer assured bis hearers that even in these days of unprecedented oppression in the staple industries of the coast no lets sum than £400 a week, or £20,000 a year, was spent in Anstruther and Cellardyke in alcoholic liquors. Mr Russell realised in his own happy way the secret of attractive platform speaker, if only in his wealth of apt and telling anecdotes, which secured from first to last the undivided interest of the large and sympathetic audience. ( this annual sum would be over £2million today)
CELLARDYKE BOAT WRECKED ON THE MAY. It is impossible to describe the alarm on the Fife coast the course of yesterday over the report o£ Skipper Fleming, of the Pittenweem boat Hercules, to the effect that he and his crew had observed the deep-sea craft Georgina, KY208, of Cellardyke, in collision with the dangerous ledge at the Isle May, known as the ” Alterstones.” This was about half-past two in the morning, and, with the tide ebbing like a mill-race, the luckless craft soon heeled over and sank in ten fathoms. The boat is owned by the Skipper, Philip Anderson, for whose safety, with his men, the greatest fears were felt till these were so far allayed the report of another crew, who had seen seven fishermen, believed to the crew of the Georgina, walking towards the Lighthouse. yawl sailed with assistance from Anstruther. It was found that Skipper Philip Anderson and his men were taken off the Island by St Monance boat, and landed at Anstruther in the twilight. They had a narrow escape with their lives. The boat went down with the fishing tackle in deep water. She was not insured.
FAITH HEALING – Mr. Bentham, the wife of the evangelist, so well known in the East of Fife some time ago as “Happy Joe,” lectured in Cellardyke Town Hall on Friday night on faith-healing. There was a pioneer a week or two in advance to tell of her coming, but the appeal excited so little interest amongst the fisher folk at the coast that only eleven persons were present.
THE LATE BOAT WRECK AT THE MAY.—The Cellardyke boat “Georgina ” has gone to driftwood at the May. Skipper Anderson and his men returned to the island on Wednesday, the day after the wreck, to find her split ‘ two. The ten nets,’ cut away previous to the collision with the rock, were recovered, but otherwise the entire outfit of lines and nets, as well as the sea clothes of the crew, have been lost. Indeed the escape of the men, at this dangerous point, with life and limb is most providential. The loss is not less than £500, and an appeal is being made to the benevolent, in aid of the sufferers.
TO FISHERMEN. FOR SALE, the BOAT “Day Star,” 44 feet long, with all appurtenances belonging to her, at present lying in Anstruther Harbour. Aptly to Robert Watson & Co.. Cellardyke.
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