The Cellardyke Echo – 26/8/2020

The Cellardyke Echo this week from 1910 to 1919 – fishermen making large amounts of money 75s per cran – pre war top prices were about 36s per cran. Others being fined for looking for the shoals in restriicted waters. – This first award for bravery in Cellardyke and the loss of George Corstorphine all were reported this week

1910

KILRENNY SCHOOL BOARD. REOPENING OF SCHOOLS. The SCHOOLS at CELLARDYKE and KILRENNY will be re-opened on TUESDAY, 30th August, at 9 o’clock. Parents and Guardians are specially requested to send their Children to School on the Opening Day, and to keep them regularly at School thereafter. Parents and Guardians who fail to provide Education for their Children are liable to be fined or imprisoned, and the School Board will enforce the provisions of the Education Acts against all defaulters. CHAS. H. MAXWELL, Clerk. Anstruther,

1911

Rise Railway Fares.

Intimation has been received in Anstruther that the special railway fares hitherto applicable to fishermen’s wives and fish-workers visiting Yarmouth have been raised from £2 0s 6d to £3 7s 6d.

HOME GROWN GRAPES can now be had at J. BUTTERS, Cellardyke.

MOTOR FISHING BOAT BURNED. A destructive fire occurred at Anstruther harbour on Tuesday morning last week. About one o’clock a loud explosion roused the inhabitants from their sleep. The cause was found to be a fire on board the motor boat Vineyard, belonging to Skipper W. Brown, Cellardyke. People gathered quickly on the scene, but found that nothing effective could be done. The fire brigade was summoned, and the hose brought into requisition. As the water supply was cut off, no pressure could be obtained, and the supply remaining in the pipes was soon exhausted. While the fire was temporarily checked by the use of the hose, it immediately began to regain hold when the supply gradually ceased. As the tide was out it was impossible to use sea water. In a very short time the boat was burning fiercely from end to end, the tarry wood being ready fuel. A brilliant glare was cast over the harbour and the adjoining Shore Street. By five o’clock the vessel was reduced to a smouldering wreck floating on the incoming tide. Only a few weeks ago an auxiliary motor engine was fitted in the boat, but as it did not work successfully, the vessel was laid up. The damage will amount to several hundred pounds.

1912

DAVIDSON & CO. James Street, CELLARDYKE,

Have received a fresh supply of Millinery suitable for Summer Wear.

Fancy Crinoline Tagel and Chip Hats.

Also Boys’ and Girls’ Mushrooms. Jack Tar Hats.

Special Lines in Trimmed Millinery, Smart and Up -to-Date.

Corsets a Speciality. Dainty Novelties in Coats, Pelisses, and Frocks.

Children’s Millinery, Hoods and Hats. New Satin and Lace Scarfs. Blouses and Umbrellas. Boys’ and Youths’ Suits. ‘Trousers, Hats, Caps, Ties, Scarfs, and Mufflers.

Any one paying a visit will not be disappointed AT DAVIDSON CO.

1913

FOR SALE. YAWL, 18 feet, in good condition. Also 30 CRAB CREELS. Apply ROBERT WATSON, 63 George Street, Cellardyke.

1914

Recruits For Naval Reserve.

It is very gratifying to learn that at the meetings of fishermen that were held on Monday, following those of Saturday, quite a large number of lads and young men in Cellardyke and St Monans expressed their willingness to volunteer for the Royal Naval Reserve, so as to get their period of training carried through during the present dislocation of the fishing industry.

Apart from the patriotic aspect, of their action, which is highly to be praised, there is the practical advantage of their securing occupation, livelihood, and experience during the autumn. We understand, on good authority, that the Admiral commanding the coast of Scotland is considering a proposal to send a representative to Anstruther on an early day to enrol those in the Coast Burghs who may be willing to tender their services; and we feel confident that, should such a step be sanctioned, a ready response will be forthcoming.

Hitherto, the obstacle to our young fishermen joining the Royal Naval Reserve has been the difficulty of giving up a period of three and a half months on end for their first training. The present crisis seems to have provided the opportunity for them to do this, as, whatever may be the restrictions for the time being upon the operations of our fishing fleet, it is quite clear that only a small proportion of the boats will be able to get to the fishing regularly for at least several months.

Once the initial period of training is got over, the conditions in subsequent years do not present any hardship at all; this amounts only to twenty-eight days in every second year, at a season to be chosen by the reservist himself, at a rate of is 5d a day with free rations and clothing. An official leaflet issued by the Registrar General of Royal Naval Reserves has been circulated amongst the younger men who are likely to join, in which the whole of the conditions and advantages are set out.

1915

NORTH SHIELDS, Tuesday

The returns to-ay showed an improvement, though they were still light, Scottish drifters were mostly poorly fished, the best shot being twenty crans by the sailing boat Unitas, of Cellardyke, which averaged 72s per cran.

George Anderson, fisherman, Rodger Street, Cellardyke, Kilrenny, Fifeshire, skipper of a fishing boat, pleaded guilty to having on 30th June last, contravened the Admiralty orders by shooting drift nets outwith the prescribed area the North Sea. The Procurator Fiscal (Mr Hilson) stated the facts of the case, which were similar to those cases brought before the Court few weeks ago, this offence occurring at the same time these previous oases. He asked his Lordship to deal severely with the case.

Mr R. G. Johnston, solicitor. Duns, who appeared for accused, whilst admitting his client had gone outwith the prescribed area, said that previous to this offence, many other fishing boats had gone beyond the limit, and accused  – thinking that this latitude seemingly granted by the patrol boats might also be given to him —had done also. He also stated that those boats which had exceeded the limit had made catches of between £3oo and £400 value.  Mr Johnston farther admitted that, of course, although such latitude perhaps might have been given by the patrol boats, that did not justify accused disobeying the law, but he contended that if the first boats had been made an example of, the present would not have required to come to court. He asked that his Lordship impose as small penalty he could see his way to do.

The Sheriff said he had the utmost sympathy with fishermen, as could see there was certain amount of hardship imposed their having to remain within a certain limit; at the same time he could also see that the Admiralty, who were in charge of a responsible position, when they had laid down a certain mileage, had conceded a great deal. But whilst had, as had said, the utmost sympathy for men who are making their living, could not put it out of his mind that there were other people who were suffering hardship, and were not fishermen, in connection with the War, and was of paramount interest to everyone in this country as patriotic men to put an end to a War which was the largest in the history of the World. People in this country had got to understand that, however much the hardship might be, and that was the first consideration he had to apply. They knew from the orders issued to them that it was a very serious matter to shoot their nets in the fairway, where His Majesty’s ships were going up and down, the Government having attached £100 to each one of the offences. He had imposed a penalty of £20 in respect to the last 3 cases that were before him, and he did not see any reason had been put before him why that should be reduced. The interest of the country must considered in the first place.

£20, or 30 days; allowed 1 month to pay.

John Fernie, fisherman. Reform Street, St. Menace, Fifeshire, pleaded guilty to similar offence, also did Alex. Reid, fisherman, 49 George Street, Cellardyke. Kilrenny, committed on the same date, 30th June. Similar fine was imposed in each instance.

1916

CELLARDYKE, Military Medal to Cellardyke There was a general feeling of rejoicing in the three burghs yesterday when it became known that the first of the war honours that are so pronounced at present had come to Cellardyke, the recipient of a Military Medal being Drummer Harry Torrens Anstruther Bowman, of Fife’s Own Black Watch. This information was contained in a letter received from Brigade- General T. Campbell, Commander of the 153rd Infantry Brigade, who, on behalf other Brigade Commanders conveys congratulations on the honour conferred. Drummer Bowman is the youngest son of Mr Joseph Bowman, fisherman, John Street, and in a letter received from him yesterday he states that he is in the best of health and that he has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. What this was is not indicated, but doubtless it will come to be known in due time. The Drummer is 21 years of age, and being in the local Territorials he volunteered for active service shortly after war broke out. He was then serving his apprenticeship as a painter with Mr D. Walker, Anstruther, and was well known and respected for his indomitable perseverance and industry. Mr Bowman has other two sons on active service in the Naval Reserve as minesweepers, while one son-in-law is similarly engaged, and another on patrol duty. Drummer Bowman comes of a notable family, his, grandfather having many thrilling experiences to relate in connection with whale fishing in the Arctic regions, and which are detailed in a book that was published by the late Mr C. Gourlay, printer, Anstruther.

1917

Died of wounds.

Joining up at the outbreak of war and wounded at Loos, Private George Corstorphine, Black Watch, was again wounded by shrapnel in the recent severe fighting in France. He was brought from the front to Orpington hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on the 16th inst. The body was brought home to Anstruther and interred in Kilrenny Churchyard. Private Corstorphine was 24 years of age, and the second son of Mr and Mrs Corstorphine, West Forth Street. Cellardyke. Prior to the war he was a ploughman at Balhouffie, The eldest son is serving with the Royal Engineers in France.