1815
Last week a boat belonging to Cellardyke while out in the Firth fishing for herrings, was upset, and the crew (a father and son, and another person) unhappily perished. By this melancholy accident, we are sorry to learn, 10 children have been made fatherless.
1826
Fishing Company (Edinburgh)
The Company do not intend, at least in the first instance, to equip fishing boats of their own and hire fishermen, or to teach new and improved methods of fishing. They merely propose to buy the fish from real fishers at Cellardyke, Cockenzie and Eyemouth from whom the Newhaven and Fisherrow boatmen buy them at present. – to prepare smacks for receiving and boxes for packing them – and to make the most effectual means for insuring a regular and early supply for the Edinburgh Market. The mode recommended at first, as most safe and economical, is to contract with a certain number of boat’s crews, on some particular station, for all the fish of good quality they catch. These would be delivered to the company’s agent, packed and dispatched to Edinburgh by a steam vessel, the greater the expedition and certainty in this species of navigation compensating for the additional expense, Captain Carnegie has ascertained from an experienced fisher at Cellardyke (Mr Connolly), that the fishermen there would be quite willing to contract with the company, and that a steady supply could be depended on. The prices as stated by Mr Connolly at this station will surprise the consumers of the same fish in this town. The price for haddocks at Cellardyke has been for years only from sixpence to one shilling per score in the summer, when we have none in pour markets and from eight to eighteen pence in the winter when the fish are in perfection. Last November it was from eighteen pence to two shillings, Cod has been sold there for years at ten shillings per score in summer and eleven shillings and eight pence in winter. Most of the cod that comes to our market can be bought there for nine pence for three fish…. The Cellardyke seamen are very adventurous. In winter they never go less than 8 or 10 miles beyond the mouth of the Firth to the deep sea fishing, and in summer they often go 30 or forty miles to the eastward of the Isle of May and occupy the same ground as the Dutchmen, whose vessels they often board. There are thirty boats in all at Cellardyke, and ten of these Mr Connolly thinks would supply the Edinburgh Market.
1838
New Year’s gift – On Sabbath week, at the close of the exercises of the Sabbath School of Cellardyke, the Scholars presented their esteemed teacher, Mr Thomas Brown, with a handsome copy of Scott’s Commentary, in six volumes, together with a beautifully bound pocket bible, as a testimony of gratitude for his unwearied labours in promoting their spiritual welfare.
1841
The Anstruther and Cellardyke Total Abstinence Society held its third soiree in the independent Chapel here on the evening of Tuesday last, when there was a very numerous and respectable attendance. The president of the society, Mr Fowler, merchant Cellardyke presided. Amongst the speakers was the Rev, Mr Scott of Leslie, who powerfully advocated the cause of total abstinence, and made strong appeals to the consciences of non-total-abstainers, relating a number of suitable and humorous anecdotes that had come into his own observation. The Rev Messrs Thom and Murdoch also delivered excellent addresses, and the Rev Mr Kinninmont read an interesting essay on the ‘diffusion of knowledge’ last though not least a choir of vocal music, led by Mr Dick shoemaker, made up the intervals. Altogether were were highly gratified, and we may congratulate the society on the countenance and support it receives.
1843
Outrageous incident –
On the night of Wednesday the 11th ins, between the hours of eleven and twelve, the house of James Wilson, Vintner, was forcibly broken into by four young men belonging this place and Cellardyke. It appears they were tipsy, and had knocked at the door for admission, which was very properly refused them, on account of the lateness of the hour. They were determined, however, to make way for themselves, and, taking up a log of wood which was lying near, they commenced an attack on the house door, and in a short time smashed it to pieces. They also broke six or eight panes of glass; and, after having forced an entrance assaulted the inmates of the house, some of whom were rather severely hurt. Consequences much more serious might have occurred had it not been for the assistance of some neighbours.
Accident – on the morning of Tuesday the 10th – a man, named James Imrie fell from the top of a granary stair in Cellardyke. in drawing to the door after him, a ring which was affixed to it for that purpose came out, and he was in consequence precipitated to the road below, a height of some 15 or 20 feet. When taken up he was quite insensible, but is now slowly recovering. His leg is said to be broken above the knee.
1846
The great superiority of Elie harbour over all others o the East Coast of Fife, in easterly storms was fully verified yesterday, during the severe storm which raged from that quarter; for before dark about forty fishing boats, belonging to St Monans and Cellardyke, (the greater number, containing eight hands each, amounting in all upwards of two hundred men) took shelter in our safe, but long neglected harbour…