1902
Proposed East of Fife Boat Insurance Company.—A representative meeting of fishermen from Cellardyke, Pittenweem. and St Monans, was held in Cellardyke Town Hall on Saturday night, when it was unanimously agreed to form local Boat Insurance Company on the joint-stock principle, with capital of £10 000, of which £5000 in £1 shares will be subscribed in the meantime. From a preliminary canvass of the three towns, £2625 had been raised, and it was resolved that each skipper of a boat should ask his crew to join and take shares, so that the concern might be wholly, or nearly so, a fisherman’s company. It was agreed to give the fishermen and others another fortnight to become shareholders.
WANTED. Causeway-Layers to pave two streets in Cellardyke; Start Work Immediately. Apply Personally Cellardyke, Fife, New Streets Works.
1903
Anstruther Rangers bagged the Martin White Cup. Cellardyke Bluejackets gave them a red face for it, but it was seen when the teams lined that the trophy really lay between the first and second elevens. Some of the latter promoted into the first string would strengthen it. The Rangers’ triumph has kindled the heather the east of Fife, and to cross the path of the victors will involve the transgressors in a heavy reckoning.
1904
RUN DOWN BY A GUNBOAT. INQUIRY INTO FIFE FISHERS’ DEATHS. CELLARDYKE AND CRAIL MEN DROWNED.
Sheriff Armour and jury at Cupar to-day heard evidence in two fatal accident inquiries, one on the sinking of a fishing boat in the North Sea by H.M.S. Speedwell. This was the first case, and the evidence led showed that Robert Smith, fisherman, James Street, Cellardyke, Anstruther, while engaged fishing three miles east of Crail in the boat Cornucopia, of Cellardyke, about four o’clock on the morning of Saturday, 25th February, was accidentally drowned in consequence of the boat having been run into and sunk by His Majesty’s ship Speedwell.
The second inquiry was connection with the death Andrew Cunningham, junior, fisherman, 34 Shoregate, Crail, who was accidentally drowned while fishing on board the fishing boat Ten Brothers, of Crail, in the Firth of Forth, half a mile from the harbour at Crail. He was accidentally washed overboard by a wave which passed over the boat. In both cases formal verdicts were returned.
1907
ANSTRUTHER. The trial trip of the steam drifter The Maggies, belonging to the Messrs Gardner Cellardyke, took place from Anstruther on Monday afternoon when a crowd of 200 people had a pleasure sail round the May Island and Bass Rock. The drifter maintained speed of ten knots, and the owners were highly delighted with her.
Launch at Anstruther – Mr Miller, yesterday afternoon launched a steam drifter to the order of Skipper George Anderson, Cellardyke. This is the fifth vessel launched since last August, and other three are to be built. The drifter was named Integrity by a niece of the owner. The dimensions are the same as the others. 85 feet in length, 18 feet beam, and depth of hold 9 feet. The engines are being made by Messrs Cran, Leith
1908
An enquiry into sourcing water for St Andrews suggested that it could come from Dunino reservoirs and the following question was raised…
Mr Wilson, K.C., cross- examining, asked witness if he knew that in connection with the net factories at Cellardyke an enormous amount of water was used . Witness said that using a domestic water supply for washing nets seemed to him a curious waste of public money. Why (witness continued ) should they not wash their nets with the bad water which was so prolific there ? (laughter) Mr Wilson—We need not argue about that .( laughter)
Another report
THE OBJECTORS Referring to the opposition of the various objectors, counsel said that the County Council had an interest in Dunino special water district, which was on the proposed St Andrews water system below the Lochty reservoir. The population of the special district was only 134. It was really a clause opposition. (Counsel for The County Council, Mr John Wilson, here dissented.) Continuing, Mr Scott Dickson said the serious opposition was from the burgh of Kiirenny, which included the fishing town of Cellardyke, There were also petitions from the three adjoining burghs, Anstruther Anstruther-Wester and Pittenweem. The main point here was that north of the watershed the flow was towards St Andrews; below, was to the south, the flow was down to the Firth of Forth. All the area 8t Andrews proposed to take was upon their own side —the north side of the watershed. The water on the north side naturally and physically belonged to St Andrews, and unless there was a very special reason no community outside that area should be allowed to take the water away. Kilrenny’s population was stationary, and so were the populations of the other opposing burghs. St Andrews was quite willing that Kilrenny should keep certain water which was used in Kilrenny’s Balmonth reservoir, though St Andrews thought that that water, to a large extent, would, if left alone, have gone into the Lochty burn. They were also willing to let Kilrenny take water which would find its way into the Dunino barn. The Balmonth area was ample for Kilrenny’
1909
RELIGIOUS REVIVAL IN CELLARDYKE.
During the last few weeks a remarkable series of evangelistic meetings have been held the Cellardyke Town conducted by Mr and Mrs Cowe, of Fraserburgh, assisted by some of the local ministers. The result has been surprising, all the meetings being largely attended, and a wave of religious fervour aroused.
There has been no artificial and unnatural excitement, or extravagant displays of religious mania, but a deep feeling which was always manifest at all the meetings. Since the commencement of the Mission over persons have passed through the inquiry” room.
The present situation recalls similar experiences which have been undergone this district. In 1860 and again in 1874 there were revivals in Cellardyke which left their effects for many years, and it is maintained that the present revival will prove as beneficial as the previous ones.
1910
A representative meeting of the fishermen Cellardyke, Pittenween, and St Monans, was held in the Council Chamber, Cellardyke, on Saturday. Mr J. Duncan Millar, M.P. for the Andrews Burghs, was present, and took part in considerable discussion on prominent fishing questions. The principal item was connection with the regulations issued the Board of Trade, compelling skippers or second hands steam drifters and liners to obtain a certificate of competency or an authority to act in such capacities. The fishermen maintain that the application of the regulations will inflict hardship upon them, as cases may occur in which the skipper and owner of drifter might not be allowed step aboard his own boat, even although he had many years of practical experience in his trade. Mr Millar, who has been taking an active Interest the matter, urged that deputation should be sent to the Board of Trade, and the desirability of adopting this proposal was remitted a Committee.
COMPANY MEETING
UNITED FISHING BOAT INSURANCE COMPANY (LIMITED) , ANSTRUTHER . —The shareholders met at the annual’ general meeting, held in Cellardyke on Saturday evening. The company has again had a successful year. The profits earned for the year are £1087, 5s 9d, and of this sum the directors propose to place to reserve £918, 10s. 9d. (bringing the reserve fund up to £2528, 8s. 2d), and recommend a dividend to the shareholders of 6 % per cent. The report was adopted, and directors appointed in place of those who retired.
1912
LAUNCH OF DRIFTER FOR CELLARDYKE.
Messrs A. Hall and Co. launched from their yard at Footdee a fine new drifter to be used in the herring fishing at Cellardyke. The vessel, which the order of Mr Martin Gardner and Sons, was named the Plough. She is 86 feet in length, 18 feet inches beam, and 10 feet in depth [moulded). The vessel will engined with the usual type of triple expansion engine, and to have a boiler working at 130 lb. per square inch.
A number relatives and friends were present the launch, and were afterwards entertained at the office of the builders at a cake and wine banquet. Amongst these present were Mr Martin Gardner, sen., and Mr Martin Gardner, jun., Mr Bonthron, fish salesman, Messrs John Thomson and Henry Gardner, Cellardyke, Alexander Walker and William Webster, Aberdeen; Mrs Martin Gardner, Mrs T. Gardner and two daughters, Mrs J. Gardner, and Miss Lizzie Gardner, performed the launching ceremony. Representing the firm were Messrs Donald McIntosh and A G. Emslie. Mr McIntosh proposed “The King,” and also “The ship Plough and her owners.” Martin Gardner, sen., suitably replied. Mr J. Bonthron proposed “The health and the success of the builders,” and McIntosh replied. Mr McIntosh then proposed health of Miss Lizzie Gardner, daughter Mr Martin Gardner jnr. Her father replied. A gold bangle, case, was presented young lady as memento of the occasion.
1913
FIFE SKIPPER’S SMART PERFORMANCE SAVES TWO BOATS FROM GOING THE ROCKS AT EYEMOUTH. Sheriff Armour Hannay, at Cupar yesterday, gave judgment in the salvage actions, raised by James Hutt, fisherman, St Monans, skipper of the steam drifter Lizzie Hutt, and others, against John Watson, fisherman, George’s Street, Cellardyke, skipper of the steam drifter Pride of Fife, and against Robert Davidson, fisherman, Shore Street, Cellardyke, skipper of the sailing fishing boat Guide Me, for £430 and £100 respectively for salvage services rendered in Eyemouth Bay September 4. 1912. The defence was that the services rendered were towage services, customary for Fife fishermen to render to each other when their vessels were in difficulties. His Lordship finds as a matter of law that the services rendered by the Lizzie Hutt were salvage services; assesses the same at £250 in case of the Pride of Fife and £50 in the of the Guide Me respectively; apportions the total sum of £300 as follows:—£150 to be paid to the owners, £50 to the skipper (James Hutt), and £100 to the remaining eight of the crew in equal shares, and accordingly; refuses the motion to apportion the aforesaid sum of £300 between the services; rendered in saving life and those rendered in salving property. Pursuer gets expenses on the higher scale. In the note attached to the interlocutor; his Lordship says:—”Or September 3, 1912,, the sailing fishing boat Guide Me of Cellardyke, was towed into the anchorage at Eyemouth Bay in a helpless oondition with split foresail. She anchored under the lee of the land, but shortly afterwards the rope which was attached to the anchor broke, and she began to drift towards the Hettle Scar rocks. “The steam drifter Pride of Fife, also from; Cellardyke, was coming into the roadstead, and was hailed for assistance. She came, and, with the Guide Me in tow, steamed to the weather side of the anchorage, and both vessels then let go their anchors, this time, Guide Me using a chain. Both began to drag, and by the time the Lizzie passed them they were close to the Scar rocks and in a position of great danger. ” I have accordingly no difficulty holding that the services rendered by the Lizzie Hutt were salvage services, and I would add they seem by the evidence to have been performed in a smart and seamanlike manner by the skipper, James Hutt.” For pursuers—Mr T. D. Murray, solicitor. Anstruther: for defenders—Mr James Brown, Messrs Mclntosh & Watson, Anstruther).