1856
Craignoon Habbour.—Mr Stephenson, engineer, who arrived here has commenced to make a survey of the site, and draw a plan the proposed harbour at Craignoon.
1858 two reports of the same storm… the second I have just selected the Cellardyke part but the full report was over a 100 words long
The winter herring-fishing partially revived since the late stormy weather, there being pretty good takes on Friday and Saturday last. The price per cran is still high; and it is much to be regretted that the weather has so much interfered with the pursuits of the fishermen. Accident.—We understand that on Saturday morning last, a boat returning from the fishing, and said to be manned by the folks of the “Lang Town,” was accidentally run down by another boat. We are glad to say that no loss of life occurred, one man only having his leg severely hurt. The boat, with all its apurtenances, is lost; and such a loss is great, considering the time, labour, and the expense attendant on the fitting out of even a fishing boat. We learn that the injured man is slowly recovering.
COAST OF FIFE.—Elemental Commotion …………… The fishermen resumed their precarious enterprise with considerable success, having secured draughts various magnitude, which realised excellent prices. But on Friday night the atmosphere resumed its impassioned fury, threatening destruction to all exposed to its impetuous current. One boat came in violent collision with another, and sent her slap-dash to Davie Jones’ locker. But with praiseworthy activity, the imperilled crew were rescued from a premature grave in the caverns of the deep. In consequence of the accident, however, a man belonging to Cellardyke is reported to have sustained severe fracture of one of his legs; and it seems truly miraculous that a much greater amount of mischief has not been the result of such sudden and frightful tornado, which continued shifting from one point of the compass to another. The wind continued to blow with increasing violence during the whole of Saturday, imparting a wonderful change of appearance to many objects in the visible creation, whether animate or inanimate. Even brace of accomplished ladies (the daughters of Lord), were observed exerting all the agility of their limbs in pursuit of their exquisite bonnets, which had leaped from their heads, and wore flying before them like Gilpin’s hat and wig, and making much more progress than their denuded pursuers, until intercepted by some convenient obstruction. It was verily killing sight to behold the lovely, the well-cultivated tresses wildly streaming in the wind. ………….
1860 – on the week after the Baptist church is getting stripped out
ESTIMATES WANTED, FOR ERECTING a CHAPEL and VESTRY at East Green, according to Plans and Specifications which will be shewn James Fowler, Cellardyke ; by whom Offers will be received to the 20th inst. Information will also be furnished by Mr J. Hall, Architect, St Andrews. Anstruther, March 7, 1860.
1862
On the forenoon of Friday last, as an aged fisherman, named Doig, belonging to Cellardyke, was proceeding homeward, he was overtaken two spring-carts following close on each other. The first, jostling against him, threw the unfortunate man to the ground, when the other, which was heavily loaded, almost instantly passed over his body, crushing him severely. Surgical assistance was promptly in attendance, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. The case is being, investigated into the authorities.
Snow-Storm. —On Sunday afternoon the wind, which on the former part of the day had been from the westward, accompanied with occasional slight showers of rain, suddenly veered round to the northeast, and shortly after snow began to fall, and in a few hours the ground was covered to the depth of five or six inches. Such an unexpected change of weather subjected our fishermen to a very great amount of trouble and inconvenience, as their nets usually lie on the fields from Saturday to Monday, order if possible that they may be thoroughly dried. Many of them, therefore, on returning from church, wore under the necessity of having to proceed to the removal of the exposed netting—an operation which, from their being so deeply imbedded in the snow, and in the very disagreeable state of the weather, was only accomplished after much difficulty and exertion.
1865
James Christie, carter, from Cellardyke, was charged with having, on the 10th February, assaulted Andrew Anderson, flesher, near Anstruther Easter, with a walking stick, to the effusion of his blood, and serious injury his person. The accused pled not guilty, bat after proof had been led he was found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of 30s, or prison for twenty days.
1866
It has often of late been our pleasing duty to notice the splendid donations of Walter Hughes, Esq., to local institutions and charities. This week, however, so far at least as the public have had an opportunity of knowing, this noble minded gentleman has exceeded all his former benefactions. The recent boat disaster at Cellardyke having been brought under Mr Hughes’ notice, lie visited that town the other day, with the special object, it is said, of making himself acquainted with all the circumstances of the case. Having satisfied himself that the owner of the wrecked boat was worthy of his kindness, he, with a generosity which must challenge the admiration of all, agreed to present, at his own coat, the poor fisherman with new boat of the largest size, and be constructed of the best materials. Mr Hughes also presented number of poor persons in Cellardyke with handsome gratuities. Than this estimable gentleman, few have given with so liberal a hand to the relief of the poor and unfortunate, and many, we feel assured, are the blessings which grateful hearts here shower upon him for his innumerable bounties.
(This boat was to be the experimental Pioneer built at Pottinger’s yard in Anstruther)
1867
Alleged death from an overdose of Chlorodyne- On Wednesday considerable excitement was caused in the west end of Cellardyke by a report that an old woman of the name of May Davidson, the widow of the late James Pringle, labourer, had died from an overdose of Chlorodyne. On enquiry, however, it appears that this rumour is without foundation and that the deceased, who is about 85 years of age succumbed to a fit of palsy.
1868
We understand that an amicable arrangement has been come to with respect to the loss of the Cellardyke boat, (Marimne KY 433), by the owner of the barque Danubio (which ran the boat down), consenting to pay the claim of £160, compensation for the loss sustained by her owner, Mr John Watson, Cellardyke, with further sum, said to be £12, to the crew, to make for the loss of clothing and other effects belonging to them, and which were not saved.
A Disorderly Patlander.— Before the Summary Criminal Court of Cupar on Wednesday— Substitute Taylor on the bench— Martin Brogav an Irish labourer, was charged with having committed a breach of the peace in the house of Christina Lillie or Salter, Cellardyke, and also with having broken several panes of glass in the said house on the previous evening. Brogan pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to pay a fine of 20s or fourteen days’ imprisonment. The fine not being forthcoming he was removed to jail
1869
During the week the fishermen of Cellardyke have made considerable progress in registering and numbering their fishing boats, as required by the recent order of the Board of Trade. In this novel and therefore embarrassing duty, the fishermen have found a valuable friend in William Gillis, Esq., fishery officer, who has most kindly given his experience and help in filling up the forms required by law. The changes caused by the new system are somewhat curious, as instead of beginning at Buckhaven, as was the case before, the first numbers have been issued for Cellardyke boats, when K.Y. No. 1 is to appear on the boat of Skipper John Gardiner, and where an advanced number like 651 is to be replaced by a primary 5. About 100 Cellardyke boats have been already numbered, and we trust that no time will be lost by the fishermen in complying with the order, as no boats in the case of neglect will be allowed to sea after April.