1900
CELLARDYKE DISTRESSING FATALITY ON THE TAY. –A drowning fatality, the circumstances connected with which are of a distressing character, occurred on the Tay on Tuesday afternoon. About three o’clock the steam liner Edith, of Anstruther, left the new Fish Dock, where her catch had been discharged. The vessel had scarcely proceeded three-quarters of a mile on the outward voyage when Thomas Smith, the mate, fell overboard. Smith was engaged at his duty on deck, when he slipped and fell over the ‘bulwark into the river. The engines were immediately put full speed astern, but the unfortunate seaman, clad as he was in heavy clothing and sea boots, sank before the means of succour were at hand. Smith. who was 26 years of age. resided at 13 Rodger &tent, Cellardyke, and was the son of the master of the liner—this being the second son who has, met his death by drowning. Grappling operations were conducted till a late hour on Tuesday night, but all efforts to recover the body proved fruitless. Operations were continued on Wednesday, and these at length proved successful, the body being recovered about 8 o’clock in the evening and brought home to Anstruther. The sad news was telegraphed to Anstruther to Mr William Birrell, Shore Street, and caused very general regret in the community. Smith was well known and highly respected.
1901
MR STEPHEN WILLIAMSON RETIRES FROM BUISINESS. On Saturday Messrs Balfour, Williamson, & Co., Liverpool. issued to their friends and clients a circular intimating that Mr Stephen Williamson, their senior partner, has retired from the firm, of which he has been a member since its establishment in 1851. Mr Williamson founded the partnership which now represents the largest purely merchants’ business in the world, in association with the late Mr Alexander Balfour (of Leven). In laying the foundation of the fortunes of the firm, he was for several years in South America. Mr Williamson, who formerly sat in Parliament for St Andrew’s Burghs, and later for Kilmarnock has long been identified with public and philanthropic movements in Liverpool, as well as a great figure in commerce, while his charities to Anstruther and Cellardyke, his native town, have kept his name there a household word.
The Cellardyke Harbour Provisional Order received the Royal Assent on Tuesday, having been passed without any opposition. The town Council will now receive their grant of £1000 from the Scottish Fishery Board, but the season is now so far advanced that it is not expected the work of executing the necessary repairs on the harbour will be carried out this year.
DRIVING ACCIDENT TO COUNCILLOR MELVILLE. —A rather serious accident occurred to Councillor Melville, Cellardyke, on Sunday evening. Mr Melville and some friends had been spending the afternoon at Thirdpart, and when coming home the horse shied at a water barrel right opposite the Windmill Road. Tripping on the footpath, the horse stumbled and fell throwing Mr Melville over the front of the machine. Landing on his back, his head struck the ground with considerable violence, and he was rendered unconscious for a long time. After receiving a stimulant he was assisted home. Dr Wilson had meantime been sent for, and on arriving at Mr Melville’s residence be found that the Councillor was suffering from a broken rib and severe shock to the system. Mr Melville is now happily recovering.
1902
At the closing of Cellardyke school on Tuesday for the summer holidays, Mrs Black, wife of Provost Black, presented the prises to the children.
The work of re-building Cellardyke harbour was practically commenced on Monday, when a squad of workmen started to remove the large boulders at the harbour mouth.
1903
St Monans – LAUNCHES.—On Saturday, there was launched two first class fishing boats, one from the building ground of Mr John Robertson, at West pier, built to the order of Peter Murray Stewart, and Sons, Cellardyke, the other from the building shed of Mr James Miller, built to the order of Mr Robert Allan. (Coul), St Monans. The launches were successfully accomplished about high water. The one built by Mr Robertson was named the Star of Hope by Miss Maggie Murray. a daughter of one of the owners, the other from Mr Miller’s shed as she left the ways was named the Falcon by Mrs Stirling, from Anstruther. Both craft are 70 feet extreme length, splendid models, and strongly built of the best material. They are to be fitted up immediately with all modern appliances and will be available for all branches of the fishing. As soon as they are fitted up their first trips will be made to the summer herring fishing’. Mr Robertson is to lay down another keel immediately for a boat of the same dimensions, to the order of the brothers Nicolson, John, and Alexander Bruce Arbroath. Mr Miller has also an order for a first class boat, to the order of Mr William Tarvit, (Boyter), Cellardyke.
A PITTENWEEM SMACK SWAMPED. FOUR FIFE MEN DROWNED
Terrible Story of Gale.
In the track of the gale which has raged with fury all along the East Coast during the past few days, comes the inevitable story of wreck and death. Every year it is the custom of many fishing boats to leave the harbours of Forfarshire and Fifeshire at this season, and proceed to the vicinity of the Shetland Isles, where fishing operations are carried out on a very extensive scale. Hundreds of these small crafts search the seas at those particular fishing grounds, and when storm arises they make for Peterhead harbour.
During the past two days many of these boats have found shelter in this harbour. This morning, however, comes the sad news that disaster has occurred almost at the very entrance to this haven of refuge.
From what can yet be learned it appears that the new fishing boat Wonderful Star, belonging to Pittenweem, was a long way off Peterhead when the first breath of the storm was felt. The crew, consisting of seven men, continued to prosecute their fishing operations for some time, but violent did the gale become that it ultimately became impossible for them to do anything other than make for the nearest shelter, Peterhead.
The boat, however, was caught in the very centre of the storm, and time and again huge waves swept aboard and almost swamped her. It required extreme watchfulness on the part of the crew to prevent themselves from being hurled into the water. Hour after hour they battled with the elements, but at a late hour last night the harbour was still invisible. Early this morning, however, land was sighted. Nearer and nearer were they borne to the quay, and it is particularly sad think that hero, after bravely striving for hours with the wind and wave, a disaster should have overtaken these fishermen.
THE DISASTER.
The boat was in the act of taking Peterhead Harbour when squall came on. The craft was upset, and the occupants were soon struggling for dear life in the seething waters. But, as is always the case in such circumstances where men are heavily clad, the ocean triumphed, and out of a crew of seven only two were saved. Matthew Brown, of St Andrews, is one of the two who escaped death, whilst the other is a fisherman belonging to Cellardyke. Four members of the crew belonged to Fife, and the following are the names of the five men who were drowned: John Aitken (skipper), St Monance. Henry Waters, St Andrews. Thomas Dunn, Pittenweem. David Dunn, Pittenweem. John Fraser Gall, Broughty Ferry. In all the fishing villages of Fifeshire the news of the sad affair has created a most profound feeling of sorrow and regret.
1904
Geelong newspaper says:—ln November, 1902, the Marquis of Linlithgow, a ketch belonging to Captain Cunningham, of Geelong, was lost at Sea Elephant Rock in a gale, and the Captain and crew experienced much difficulty in saving their lives. The ketch was all that Captain Cunningham possessed in the world, and although he is a very old man he has since then built with his own hands another ketch, the Earl of Elgin, with which he has just completed a trip to and from Sea Elephant rock. He succeeded in recovering most of the spars, anchors and chains belonging to the wrecked ketch, but the sails and carpenters tools were not to be found.
THE LATE MR GREORGE FOWLER.—The body of the late Mr George Fowler was brought across the Atlantic and was landed in Glasgow on Wednesday. The remains were conveyed to Anstruther at night, and taken to deceased’s house in East Forth Street, Cellardyke. The funeral takes place this afternoon to Kilrenny Churchyard. On his deathbed Mr Fowler had a great longing to get back to Cellardyke, and it was at his own request that his remains should rest in Kilrenny Churchyard beside “kindred dust.” ( George Fowler was the founder of a chain of department stores in America, the main one being in Binghampton, he often donated to the poor of Cellardyke and never forgot his hometown)
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