1900
THE MISSING TRAWLERS. SUPPOSED LOSS OF 50 LIVES.
There are still no tidings at Aberdeen of the five missing trawlers. None of the trawlers that have arrived at the port this week have sighted any of the vessels, and H.M.S. Jackal, which went in search of the trawlers, is reported to have found no trace of them. There seems little doubt, therefore, as to their fate. All the vessels were manned by Aberdeen fishermen except the Bernicia, which belonged to Shields, and which had crew of Cellardyke men. The probable loss of life is estimated at about 50 men, each vessel having a crew of nine or ten hands.
1902
Launch, There was launched from the boatbuilding yard of Mr Miller on Monday. A first class fishing boat built to the order of Messrs David and Leslie Brown, Cellardyke. As she left the weighs she was christened Otway by miss Chrissy Birrell, daughter of Councillor Birrell, Anstruther. The boat is of the large size and her dimensions are 68ft over stems. 21ft beams and 9ft depth. Mr Miller is to proceed immediately to lay down a keel for a similar craft to the order of a Shetland fisherman.
Football
Crail Union have Cellardyke Bluejackets their guests in a Martin White Cup tie. The Union are the present holders, and ousted the Bluejackets last season by 3 to 2 in the semi-final, so that latter will strive their utmost to turn the tables on this occasion.
1903
LIFEBOATS ON FIFE COAST. FISHERMEN LOSE CONFIDENCE IN A CRAFT. At a public meeting on Saturday night in Cellardyke Town Hall strong comments made on the unsatisfactory state of the lifeboat at present stationed at Anstruther. Two experienced coxswains, who were present—Skippers James Pratt and James Jack—declared that it was impossible to pull the boat out of the harbour in heavy wind either from the southwest or south-east, and that under canvas it was useless to attempt to beat the boat off a lea shore. The boat was not only useless, but dangerous, and there was every probability that if the present craft was kept the crew would lose their lives. Many of the fishermen were declining to go out in the boat as they had lost all confidence in her sailing abilities. Dissatisfaction was also expressed at the position the lifeboat house and the state of the launching slip. was unanimously resolved ask the Lifeboat Committee to convene a public meeting of fishermen and others with the view of having a strong request addressed to the parent Institution London to provide a new lifeboat for Anstruther.
1904
PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF EAST FIFE BURGHS.
The three towns of East and West Anstrutlier, and Kilrenny, or Cellardyke, form practically one community but are distinct Royal burghs with Royal charters. Surprise has often been expressed that they should have continued so long as three distinct municipalities with separate Town Councils and the various offices connected with municipal corporations. At last, the question of amalgamating the burghs has been brought up. At a meeting of West Anstruther Town Council last night, Provost Penney said he had been approached by a number of ratepayers, and urged to take some steps to have the matter discussed. His suggestion was that a committee should be appointed to meet committees from East Anstruther and Kilrenny, in order to consider the matter, and see if a basis understanding could not be arrived at on which to unite the burghs. Amalgamation would be a great benefit to all concerned from a financial and economical point view. The conference would only be preliminary to begin with. One or two members expressed themselves against the proposal, on the ground that the taxation was lower in West Anstruther than in the other two burghs, and they did not see that their burgh would be benefited. Ultimately the Provost’s suggestion was agreed to, and the Provost, magistrates and Councillor Dickson were appointed the committee to arrange a conference with the other burghs.
On Saturday night a lady was attacked by two men in a street in Cellardyke, and robbed of a purse containing £5.
1905
SHIP SUNK BY A GUNBOAT. A Leith correspondent telegraphs :-A collision occurred on Saturday morning off Anstruther between the gunboat Speedwell, which was proceeding from Cromarty to Queensferry, and the drifter Cornucopia, Thomas Bett, master. The gunboat struck the drifter on the port-quarters, and the crew were thrown into the water. Three men were rescued by the gunboat’s crew, and three clung to the gunboat, but the seventh man, Robert Smith, fisherman, Cellardyke, was drowned. He leaves a widow and family. The drifter sank almost immediately, about two miles off the North Carr lightship. The six survivors were landed at Leith by the gunboat.
1906
THE PERILS OF THE DEEP. Two of the inquiries had reference to accidents to fishermen. Both were returning home from the fishing ground at the May Island, and were engaged tacking the sails, when heavy sea caused their boats to lurch, and plunged the unfortunate fishermen into the sea. The names of the deceased were Peter Boyter, Cellardyke, who was on board the Elizabeth Keay, and Alexander Gowans Cellardyke, who was aboard the Balmoral.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph of February 12th just to hand, contains a long account of the murder at Newtown, Sidney, of Constable John Wallace, member the Sydney police force and eldest son of Skipper Robert Wallace, Rodger Street, Cellardyke. A Kanaka, whose name was William, or Tommy Tanna, was employed by a lady named Fenwick. He demanded more money, and being refused, attacked the inmates of the house, eventually gaining the upper hand and holding them at bay with tide and revolver, from which be fired several shots. The police were rent for, and Constable Wallace was among the first to arrive at the scene of the affray. On entering the lobby of the house, he was shot at by Tanna, the bullet entering his abdomen and rendering him unconscious. The Kanaka afterwards, although wounded by shots from the other constables who had arrived, eluded them all, and locking himself in a room, shot himself dead. Constable Wallace died immediately after admission to the hospital, never having regained consciousness. Constable Wallace was a moat intelligent and conscientious officer, and a useful member of the force. He was 41 years of age.
1907
Mr Miller Boatbuilder, Anstruther, on Monday Afternoon launched from his yard a steam drifter, built to the order of Messrs R Melville & Sons, fish merchants, Cellardyke. The vessel was christened Primrose by Miss Melville. Several boats had been unable to sail out of the harbour on account of the westerly wind, blowing right in the cut mouth, and one of them, the Wellspring, of Buckhaven, was returning to the inner harbour to reset the sail, when the Primrose in leaving the ways, crashed into her Port Bow, holing her to a slight extent. The drifter was undamaged. After the launch a champagne banquet was held at the house of Mr G H Melville in Shore Street, when several toasts were proposed and acknowledged, and congratulatory speeches made and replied to. The Primrose is to be taken to Leith immediately to be engine, and will make her debut at the great line fishing. Mr Miller has three other drifters to build in addition to a trawler for the Belgian Government, so that the carpenters in Anstruther are assured of employment until the end of August at least.
1908
HERRING FISHING. Anstruther , Wednesday.—
…. Among the best fished boats were Alices, Cellardyke, 92 crans; Jane and Maggies, Cellardyke 80 crans; Ina Cook, Cellardyke, 65 crans; Glenyarrow. St Monans, and Families’ Pride, Cellardyke. 40 crans each; Fisher Lassie and New Samaritan, Crail, 20 to 25 crans each. A considerable portion of to-day’s catch was bought for the German export trade.
1909
A FIFE FISHERMAN’S CLAIM . Major ANSTRUTHER . GRAY asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he had received any claim ‘from David Parker of Cellardyke, skipper of the fishing boat “John and Agnes,” ML. 95, who has lost the whole of his nets to the value of £25, having been cut away by the ships of His Majesty’s Fleet ….