1875
David Spittal, shoemaker, Anstruther, Robert Angus, boatbuilder, Cellardyke, and Thomas Small, cooper, Cellardyke, were charged with committing a breach of the peace in the Commercial Hotel, on the evening of the 16th instant. The complaint stated that on being served with some ale, the panels had refused to pay for it, broken a tumbler, and when at the bar of the hotel had need offensive epithets to Mr M’cntosh and his wife. They pled guilty. Spittal, against whom two previous convictions were recorded, was fined 21s, and Angus and Small 10s each.
Narrow Escape at Sea. —During the night of Friday last, an alarming accident happened at sea. While the Cellardyke fishing boat owned by Skipper Thomas Carstairs was lying near the May, the nets of the crew being in the sea, a boat under full sail was suddenly seen making straight in their direction. Cries were immediately raised to alarm the stranger, but it was not until the boats were almost in collision that the helm was put about, and even then, a mast, the end of which was extended out from the boat, was struck down. One of Carstairs’ crew, named Keay, was struck by the mast as it fell, and received several severe bruises on the leg. The boat which was so recklessly steered belongs to Pittenweem, and it is stated that all the crew with the exception of one man on the look-out and another at the helm were in bed at the time of the occurrence, which, it is alleged was due to the man on the look-out having left his post for a few minutes to enter the bunk. It is but right to add that the skipper of the Pittenweem boat was so alarmed and annoyed when he knew what had, happened that he has disbanded his crew.
So far a beginning has now been made to the winter drave, which in recent years has held a leading place in the industries of the East of Fife. About one half of the Cellardyke Fleet, which this season will number about 70 boats, have been nightly at the drift, with about 25 Buckhaven Crews, and a few stray boats from other stations in and out of the Firth…..
The white fishing, about one half of the deep-sea going boats of Cellardyke, and the whole fleet at Pittenweem are still persevering at the haddock fishery, from being as ye the most profitable branch of their arduous calling.
1877
Fishing boat for sale – the “Catherine” of Cellardyke, about 40 feet long, suitable for the herring fishery, Apply to Andrew Brown Brunton, fisherman Cellardyke
Claim for Damage to a Boat. – George Smith, fisherman, Cellardyke, sued Mrs Andrew Henderson and Robert Montadore, both residing in Cellardyke, for the sum of £8 2s 9d, in respect of damage done to his boat by that of the defenders. The defence was a denial of liability, on the ground that the boat of the latter was properly moored, but after hearing evidence at considerable length the Sheriff said he had come to the conclusion that the chain by which the defenders’ boat was moored was subjected to a more severe strain than it should have been; and while in a case of this kind there must be hardship of some sort, he thought it consistent with justice and equity that the loss should fall upon the defenders. He discerned for the pursuers with 6s 1d of expenses
NATIVE OF CELLARDYKE DROWNED AT SEA. The melancholy intelligence was this week received by Mr Henry Hodge, Pittenweem, but lately of Cellardyke, that his son Alexander had been drowned at sea. He was one of the crew of the ship Min’y’don, Captain Leslie, and while the vessel was on her voyage from San Francisco to Hull, Hodge and another seaman were washed overboard by a heavy sea while rounding Cape Horn on the 12th October. The deceased, who was 29 years of age, was a quiet and well behaved man, and much sympathy has been expressed for his parents. East of Fife Record – Friday 19 January 1877
Anstruther – Fish festival – On Monday evening the old fish yard at the brae was the scene of a unique and interesting festival, on the occasion of the annual gathering of the employees and friends of Mr David Keith, fish merchant, Cellardyke. The programme was opened with a steaming supper, in which both “roast and boiled” garnished the festival board, and to which ample justice was done by about 50 guests. “The ship was ailed under the temperance flag.” But the opportunity was not neglected, when the cloth had been removed, to give a ringing” three times three” for Mr and Mrs Keith, including long life and prosperity to the worthy couple. The spacious apartment, which had been specially decorated for the honours of the evening , was then cleared for the dance, and the veteran violinist having been duly installed under the rafters, the echoes rang merrily with strathspey and reel, which were continued with unabated spirit and joviality till the glories of the morning. “ tipped the hills with gold” when we may say of the happy revellers in the words of Burns
“ Each took aff his several way
Resolved to meet some other day”
ary 1877 3
1878
NEWYEAR SPREE AND HOW IT ENDED. —The Bailies of East Anstruther held a criminal court on Saturday, when James Myles, carter, Cellardyke, was charged with drunken and disorderly conduct calculated to provoke a breach of the peace in the of the new Police Act, on Tuesday, the 1stinst. He pleaded guilty and threw himself upon the compassion of the Court, but in respect of this being his fifth conviction before the East of Fife Bailies he was sentenced to a fine of 30s, or fourteen days’ imprisonment
DEATH OF THE OLDEST NATIVE ANSTRUTHER. Last week the churchyard of Anstruther gave last resting place to the remains of William Baldie who died seme days before with his friends near Kirkcaldy, at the venerable age of 89 years. He was the oldest native of Anstruther, where his father wrought as a shoemaker, but went, like so many tradesmen of the coast before and since, to the Lammas herring fishery, in which he perished on a stormy September day the year 1793. It perhaps the most tragic scene that ever occurred on the Fife coast. The boat was owned by the worthy Cellardyke wright, Alexander Wood and, manned with a crew of eight, was being pulled to sea from Cellardyke harbour, when treacherous billow rose like wild beast from its ambush and hurled bodily against the skerries. Her crew were seen clinging to the rocks or holding on to the floating wreck, but though wives and mothers were looking on, with the death cry in their ears, no hand could save them, and one by one they disappeared before the merciless billows, with the exception of youthful fisher, who rode through the troubled waters if upheld some guardian angel, till he was clasped in the devoted arms which risked all to save her darling’ ..
1879
A new herring net manufactory is in course of erection in Cellardyke.
New Net factory. —Amongst the building operations suspended by the weather is an extensive range which is to be erected in rear of the handsome shop now in course of erection for Mr Andrew Mitchell, draper, George Street, Cellardyke. This range, which will extend from the saloon to the sea wall, is to serve as a machine-room for the herring net manufacture in which Messrs Watson and Mitchell are already engaged, the valuable plant which they recently acquired in Ayrshire being kept going there till the premises in Cellardyke are in order for its reception. We understand that some ten or twelve machines are then to be in gear, but we may confidently anticipate that this will only be the nucleus of a thriving and far more extensive concern. Indeed, this rate of production is little more, if, indeed, it is always adequate to the present retail trade of the firm. Now, when we consider that Provost Watson will bring into the enterprise thorough practical experience of the article really wanted for the herring sea, and that the establishment will be carried on such principles as to be in perfect sympathy with the industry, as well as interest, of the district, there can be no hesitation as to its success, which is the more pleasing to contemplate from the addition it will make to those employments in which female fingers can appropriately and profitably engage. Sometime ago there was a talk that this enterprising firm designed to feu at Anstruther Loan, but the present situation of the factory is far more preferable—in fact, it may be said to have every recommendation for such an undertaking.
Fish Workers’ Fete— It speaks well for the kindly feeling which subsists between employer and employed in our fishcuring establishments that the festivities of the opening year have no pleasanter echo than in connection with these interesting branches of labour. This was especially the case the other night in the fete given to his workers by Mr Robert Melville, fish merchant, who recently acquired the very advantageous premises shoreward of Craignoon. After a substantial supper, which was discussed with the proverbial appetite which comes with the sea breeze, one of the spacious stores, which so invitingly open for the dance -in fact, never better than in well-appointed fishcuring establishment was enlisted as a ball room, where, to the music of the violin, and the yet nobler inspiration which comes when young hearts answerback the joys of the hour, reel and Strathspey was kept up with unabated spirit till the eye of morning had almost peeped above the eastern wave. The proceedings were also enlivened some favourite melodies, both in part and solo, and also by the usual toasts, in which the cordial feeling. entertained for Mr Melville and his worthy partner were certainly not forgotten.
Do you enjoy and follow the Cellardyke Echo and the work of the Cellardyke Trust?
There are costs behind everything we do, such as, Web hosting fees for this website which provides the weekly Cellardyke Echo and all the other info and research. Public Liability Insurance for our events such as the Sea Queen and the Phone Boxes. These are general operating costs which we cannot avoid.
If you are able to support the work of the Cellardyke Trust – Donations of any size would be gratefully received.
Our Account is called “The Cellardyke Trust (SCIO)”, Sort Code 83-15-08 – Acc No 00128815
Many Thanks