1890
Forthcoming entertainments – Rev Mr Mursell delivers his lecture in the Town hall, Anstruther, tonight, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the funds of the soup kitchens in Anstruther and Cellardyke. Mr Mursell has a long experience as a lecturer, and is one of the most eloquent platform speakers at present before the public. His lecture should be highly attended. The hall is to be heated up for the occasion.
CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED. The worst fears as to the gale were borne out by the telegram at 5 p.m. last night to the effect that the young Cellardyke fisherman, Andrew Keay, had been washed overboard from his uncle’s boat, the Eclipse, of Cellardyke, which then tacked into Arbroath. He was the second son of Mr Andrew Keay residing in John Street. He was about six-and-twenty. The Barbara Wood, of Monance, was towed by the Maggie Scott, of Cellardyke, in the course of the evening tide into Anstruther. The close reefed sail was torn into ribbons, so that she was drifting like a log at the mercy of the gale when Skipper Gardiner bore up to the rescue. Boat after boat arrived with the tackle, if at all, like tangled threads, so that the loss of gear is unparalleled the Forth.
A second report with additional detail
LOSS OF A FISHERMAN AT SEA The Kirkcaldy fishing boat No. 2072 John Boyter skipper, took shelter in Arbroath harbour yesterday afternoon, and reported that at three o’clock on the morning, when near the North Carr Lightship, the boat was struck by a heavy sea, and, Andrew Keay one of the crew, was washed overboard. An oar was thrown to him, but he failed to catch it and was drowned. He was twenty-seven years of age, unmarried, and resided in Cellardyke with his parents.
LAUNCH – St Andrews – A new fishing boat was launched from the building yard of Mr Miller at the East Bents on Saturday afternoon, and the event was witnessed by large crowd of fishermen and others. The boat is 60 feet in keel, and has many improvements in construction. The boat belongs to a fisherman at Cellardyke. (Andrew Miller was a brother to Miller’s of St Monans, and ran a yard in St Andrews for a number of years. he later retired to Elie and became Provost)
1891
PROPERTIES IN CELLARDYKE FOR SALE. To be SOLD by Public Roup, within the Tows Hall of Cellardyke, on SATURDAY, the 2sth day of March 1891, at 12 o’clock Noon, in virtue of the powers of Sale contained in Bands and Dispositions in Security THE DWELLING-HOUSE and, 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, Cellardyke, belonging or which belonged to John Gilchrist, Shoe Merchant. Apply to DAVID COOK, Solicitor, Anstruther.
MISSING SHIP – ROMAN EMPIRE.- It is now believed that this ship which left Liverpool on the 29th July last year, his foundered with the loss of all her crew of 32 hands. Among those on board were John Parker, sailmaker, belonging to Cellardyke, whose wife resides there, and William Hutton, sailmaker and B.A., belonging to Crail. Much sympathy is being expressed for their relatives. The ship belonged to Messrs George Duncan & Co., of London.
1892
John o Groats Journal – The Cellardyke fishermen have agreed that close time for summer herring on the East Coast should from 1st May till 1st July, both inclusive.
THE LATE BAILIE SHARP, Cellardyke – Another prominent and well known citizen of the East of Fife district has this week been taken away in the person of Bailie Sharp, Cellardyke. His death occurred with startling suddenness at half past ten o’clock on Tuesday night at his residence, Viewforth House, in West Forth Street. For more than a year he had been troubled with a cancerous growth in his throat. Eminent physicians in Edinburgh were consulted, but they could do little or nothing to stop the deadly canker. Since that time, he has suffered more or less, but it was evident to all his friends for some weeks back that the disease was gaining a firmer hold.
On Tuesday, however, he attended to business as usual, and both in the forenoon and afternoon was down the pier at the sales of fish. In the evening at the hour above mentioned he was suddenly seized by a spasm, and died within a few minutes. His death when it became known on Wednesday morning created a painful impression in the community, and the expressions of regret were general at the loss sustained by the widow and large family, and by the district.
A native of Cellardyke, Mr Sharp was in the 62nd year of his age. When quite a youth he served an apprenticeship in the Commercial Bank, Anstruther, after which he acted, with much acceptance, as accountant for some years. In the year 1859, Messrs James Fowler & Son, merchants, Cellardyke, retired from business, and in December of that year, Mr Sharp, with his partner, Mr David Murray, St Ayles Crescent, Anstruther, opened the establishment. Under the new firm the business soon increased to such an extent that they were led to engage in fishcuring, and in 1862 to build and open a very considerable net and oilcloth manufactory. Every description of fishing gear was made, and the firm attained one of the foremost places in the seafaring enterprise of the coast. They opened branches to different places in Scotland and in England as the necessities arose, in Aberdeen, Balta, and Yarmouth. Further development was made in opening a branch in Australia, to which they have continued ever since to send consignments of their curing establishments. Mr Sharp’s business capacity was soon recognised, and not long after he started business he was induced to take an interest in the affairs of his native town. The burgh was then disfranchised, and had been in that position since the 20’s. It was managed by managers, and Mr Sharp for some years faithfully discharged the duties of the Treasurer. The burgh restored to its full municipal status in 1868, when the Municipal Burghs Act was passed. At the first election for the Town Council in that year, 19 candidates went to the poll, and showing the respect in which Mr Sharp was held, and the gratitude felt for his past services, he was returned at the top of the poll with 149 votes. When the offices came to be filled, he was pressed to become Provost, but he declined to accede to the wish of his colleagues, and chose rather the post of first Bailie. He has continued in that position ever since, a period of upwards of 23 years. During that time he was frequently asked to fill the civic chair, but be always refused. In the business of the Council he took a prominent part, his shrewd common sense combined with his business tact, and his intimate acquaintance with the town, enabling him to discharge the duties in an efficient manner At addition to his work the Council, he was elected a member of the first School Board in 1872 on the passing of the Education Act. He has remained on the Board ever since, and for the period of three years he acted as the Chairman. Two years ago be was elected the representative of the Board to the Waid Governors, but his illness prevented him from attending the meetings as often he desired. Shortly after the passing of the Anstruther Union Harbour Act in 1860, Ballie Sharp was elected as one of representatives of Kilrenny to the Harbour Commission. He took a keen interest in all questions relating to the fishing industry, and he very frequently brought up matters to improve the harbour, and afford better accommodation to the fishermen. He has continued a member of the Commission until now, he was also the representative of Kilrenny to Fife County Council. In these and in many other ways, the Bailie did his best to serve the community. He invariably found time to attend the meetings of the different bodies with which he was connected notwithstanding the heavy claims of his large business. His example in this respect should be a good incentive to others to show their interest in the public work of the localities in which they reside.
In politics, Mr Sharp was a lifelong Liberal. He was a strong supporter of the late Mr Ellice, during his long connection with the burghs, and he motioned to give the some strenuous assistance to Mr Williamson, when he was elected in 1880. In religion, Mr Sharp wen a dissenter, sad regularly attended the Baptist Church. Throughout the whole district, Mr Sharp was a general favourite, and had a frank and genial disposition which made him very popular with all classes.
The funeral is to be on Saturday to Kilrenny Churchyard, when doubtless very many will turn out to pay the last tribute of respect to one who was so deservedly respected in the East of Fife.
Boys Brigade – On Sunday afternoon the Cellardyke Boys’ Brigade, to this number upwards of 100, met at their Drill Hall and marched to Cellardyke Church. The Rev. Mr Roy officiated, and preached an appropriate discourse the boys. Large crowds of people witnessed the march to and from the church. The officers present were Captain G Black, Lieutenant J. Watson, Thomson, and A. Black, Piper Jamieson, and Drill-Instructor Trainer,
Saturday night Disturbance.- At Cellardyke Burgh Court on Monday three fishermen and two bakers from Colinsburgh were charged with creating a disturbance in Tollbooth Wynd on Saturday night. The two bakers pled guilty, and said they were walking along the street when the three fishermen attacked them without any provocation. The fishermen ware convicted on the evidence, and were fined 10s each, or seven days, and the bakers 7s 6d each.
1893
The crew of the Anster Fair have received £5 from the Boat Insurance Company for towing the Cellardyke boat Gratitude into the harbour a fortnight ago during the heavy gale.
Banffshire advertiser – THE fishermen of Cellardyke, Fifeshire, have resolved, by a large majority, that the close time for the summer herring fishing on the east coast should last from the 1st of June to the 10th of July, the close time to include not only the binding but the curing of herring.
1894
A GOLDEN WEDDING.—The Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs Wm. Watson (Rodger), 22 George Street, was celebrated on Friday last, when they were presented with tokens of friendship sent by friends at home and at it distance. The family includes-1 son, 3 daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
St Andrews – The Storm – A strong gale rose early on Thursday morning from the south by south west, and in consequence the herring fishing fleet from Cellardyke were obliged to make for the harbour for shelter. After repeated tacking,” they were unable to weather Fife Ness, but ultimately arrived safely here. There were about thirty boats altogether. A considerable number of the crews having shot their nets, they continued riding there in spite of the storm. The cold on Thursday was intense.
Cellardyke School – The number on roll was 230, and the averages wore 203, 203, and 204. At the Infant, 250 were on the roll, with the average 187, 160, and 171.
Two applications were received for the female assistantship in Cellardyke School, and it was resolved to appoint Miss McGillivray, Arbroath, and to telegraph asking when she could enter on her duties, It mentioned that many of the slates on the roof of Cellardyke School had been blown off, and it was agreed to ask a practical man to examine and report. Complaint was made of the boys playing football in the playground, and the clerk was instructed to issue handbills warning parties that they would be prosecuted if they persisted in the future.