1890
The board of Trade enquiry at Edinburgh into the loss of the Cellardyke fishing boat Maggie Brown, off Lowestoft on the 28th of last month, resulted in a decision in favour of the local boat, and against the Lowestoft Trawler, Early Blossom.
Cellardyke Police Commissioners have resolved to call upon the proprietors in different streets to ‘mend their ways’ in front of their properties.
PROPERTIES IN CELLARDYKE FOR SALE. To be SOLD by Public Roup, within the TOWN HALL of Cellardyke on FRIDAY, the 19th day of December 1990, at 12 o’clock noon, in virtue of the of powers of Sale contained in Bonds, and Depositions in Security,
THE DWELLING-HOUSES, SHOPS, and others, Nos 1, 3, and 5 JOHN STREET, and DWELLING-HOUSES, SHOP, BAKEHOUSE, STABLES, STORAGE, and others on east end of TOLBOOTH WYND, and below John Street, belonging or which belonged to John Gilchrist, Shoe Merchant.
Apply to DAVID Cook, Solicitor, Anstruther.
1892
The haddock fishing is being prosecuted by ten Cellardyke, twenty Pittenweem, and several St Monance boats, beside, numerous yawls; but the result is the reverse of hopeful. At Cellardyke many of the crews are going astern week by week, and the best fished amongst them have parted only a few shillings for the past month. They use the mussel bait and ran distances of 20 to 25 miles east of the May, but since the beginning from two to sixteen boxes —the average about six—is the highest recorded. Sometimes they manage three times to sea, but of course the additional expenses incurred make their exertions little better than labour thrown away. At Pittenweem and St Monance the doings are slightly improved, but the result is such to give the fisherman no satisfactory remuneration for his trouble. The aim of the yawls is to be back in time for the first train, when the price is usually half as much higher as that given after it leaves. The buyers then show real spirit, and bid to any reasonable figure to secure a supply for consignment to the early markets. The price rose from 15s to 20s per box, but later on it is from 8s to 13s. A trial is being made at the great lines, but also without success. The steam liners are now holding their own for the first time during the last two months, and on Friday each landed a second shot at Anstruther, making as follows for the week :—Rob the Ranter, £45 10s ; Anster Fair, £32 15s ; and the Maggie Lauder, £24. The Edith, another steam liner, owned and manned by Skipper John Birrell, had £35 at Aberdeen. The boats which had been fishing at Yarmouth and Lowestoft are now all home, with the exception of ten who intend to persevere at Yarmouth until the next moon. They had a slow but good passage. The season has been only moderately successful, the best fished crews being credited with £200 and £250. The majority have about £100, and many between that and £70. This leaves little over after paying expenses, and in the case of those who lost any gear it will be a struggle to make both ends meet. The industry is at an exceedingly low ebb, and seldom in the annals of the port has the place been in such a state. The shipbuilders are all busy—Mr Jarvis at Anstruther with the fourth liner for the local company, and Mr Miller at St Monance, with one on order for a Buckhaven gentleman, while so satisfied are the Shields firm with the liner he built for them in the summer that they have offered him a contract for another
A report a week later paints a better total for the best fished boats, but worse for the lower ones
The Cellardyke boats have all returned home from the herring fishing at Lowestoft and Yarmouth. The highest fished boat has dose on £300, and the lowest £50, but the average is about £150. The season has been better than last year. (according to the inflation calculator I use £300 in 1892 is worth about £36 300 today)
1893
THE STORM THE EAST FIFE. On Thursday night the East of Fife visited with severe gale, which, however, abated as Friday wore on. With the small hours of Saturday the wind again freshened, and by 3 a.m. had attained unprecedented velocity. The noise of falling chimney-cans and the rattle of tiles made sleep out question, and those who remained in blissful ignorance of the destruction going all round were limited indeed. The sea was sweeping in mountainous billows over east pier, washing it every moment from end to end. All the boats were securely moored, and no loss was sustained at this spot. The Carr Lightship was driven half-a-mile from her station, and everything on her deck was smashed. ….. In Cellardyke the streets were also littered with straw. The chimney stalk of Mr Black’s bakery was blown down. A similar fate met Mr Key’s stalk from Brewery engine house, but both fell clear of the surrounding properties….
1894
FURIOUS DRIVING.—George Pattie. Cellardyke, was charged at the Burgh Court last Friday, with furious driving along Shore Street, and being drunk while in charge of a horse on 2nd November. He pled guilty. The fiscal said it was dangerous to the public to drive furiously through the streets when sober, but more so when one has no control over himself or horse. It was generally difficult to decide what was furious driving, and he hoped the magistrate would make an example of this case. The fine, 10s, was paid.
Deceased seamen reported to the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen during the month of October contains the following local names :—
George Cooper, 72 years of age, an able seaman, belonging to Dundee, who died of weakness and old age on board the Liverpool vessel Andora the of September, at 31 deg. 17 min. North latitude; D. Doig, 18 years of age, apprentice seaman, and native of Cellardyke, supposed to be drowned along with several other seamen of the ship Kooringa, of London, Austrian trader, last spoken on 8th April……………
1895
On Monday morning there passed away one of the oldest residenters of Cellardyke, in the removal by death of George Taylor, baker. Deceased, who had exceeded the fourscore, was a native of Crail; but has resided in Cellardyke for over 50 years. Coming from Crail, where he served his apprenticeship, he was for short time employed journeyman in Anstruther, and thereafter he entered the employment Mr Hutchison, baker, here, whose daughter he married, and eventually succeeded Mr Hutchison in the business, which he continued to conduct successfully for long period. Latterly, however, owing to depression in the fishing industry and competition, his trade decreased. Still he continued to plod away. Deceased was a great favourite with the young folks, for whom he always had kindly word. He was a devoted member of the U.P. Church, Anstruther.
Three young boys were dealt with under the First Offenders Act for turnip stealing at Cellardyke bust Saturday. They were ordered also to pay 6d of costs.
1896
Dear ink fish bait and few fish were the general remarks made upon the white fishing last week. The result was that only a comparatively small number of the liners made a profit at all last week, and the majority found themselves far behind on Saturday. The fish were found to be very scarce, but the prices got for tie fish at Anstruther, Newhaven, and the south ports were large, the average being reckoned between 35s and 40e a score for cod. The smallness of the shots made the gross total come to very little, and none of the vessels had large sums to their credit. ….. The Cellardyke boats at Yarmouth and Lowestoft left for home this week, but the light winds prevented them from reaching Anstruther up to yesterday morning. In the afternoon, however, several arrived. Nearly the whole of them have done well. The lowest fished is reported to have £170, while several have above £300, and others between £200 and £300. There has been however, a good deal of destruction to nets during the fishing.
A marriage took place in Cellardyke on Friday week which caused a good deal of stir in that town, the thing being rather of a public nature. The parties were James Thomson, fisherman, and Christian Kay. The bride resided in Crail, and a numerous deputation went from Cellardyke to bring her home, which gave the Crail road a very lively appearance. They had a dinner, ball and supper, in the Town House, which broke up at 4 o’clock next morning. Harmony and good fellowship were the characteristics of the evening. A number of Crail men were at the ball and it was rather fatiguing to walk 4 miles after dancing all night but they took the road, and weathered home at last.
1897
BERMALINE BREAD
As used in the Queen’s household
Dr Andrew Wilson says :-
“This bread should be eaten by all who are in anyway affected by digestive ailments”
Only sold by David Black and Son
Have you tried our Ginger Nuts?
Always freshly baked at 53 & 55 James Street Cellardyke
1899
Banffshire Observer
MANY Scotch crews have made enormous sums this year at the east coast English herring fishing. It is reported from Anstruther that 24 Cellardyke boats average over £500 each. One crew made over £9oo, and the total sum exceeds £10,000. ( a £900 grossing according to my online inflation calculator is worth £109,932.95, the £10 000 total for Anstruther exceeds £1,221 000.00)
DEATH OF A CELLARDYKE MAN IN NEW ZEALAND. The Akaroa Mail of October 3rd, has the following on the late Mr Donald McKay, who worked in Cellardyke many years ago as a cooper, and who was married to a Cellardyke woman:—We very much regret to record the death of one of the oldest and most esteemed residents on the Peninsula, Mr Donald McKay, formerly of Pigeon Bay, who has latterly resided in Akaroa. Mr McKay landed in Lyttelton in September, 1859, from the ship Cresswell, after a rather long passage from London…..
( The Cresswell landed 161 passengers in Lyttelton on 12/9/ 1859, this was her last trip to New Zealand having first landed emigrants in 1851. Donald and his wife mary lost their one year old son on the trip, the passenger listing says “McKay Donald 44, Sutherland Agricultural Labourer, Mary 35 Betsy 15 Trans to s/w George 13 Trans to s/m Isabella 10 Mary 7 Malcolm 5 Flora 3 Donald 1 Died on Board 14/08/1859”)