1925
East Fife Line Fishing. The deep-sea line fishing is now practically finished as far as the East of Fife fleet of steam drifters is concerned. A few might have been kept the great-lines, but prices for all classes of fish have fallen that a change to the herring fishing has been forced upon skippers
As an instance, the Cellardyke drifter, “Agnes Gardner” (Skipper John Gardner) may be cited. This vessel arrived at Anstruther on Saturday from Shields, where a catch of over 100 score of all kinds of fish were landed. The market proved disappointing, a generally recognised valuable “shot” only realising a little over £100. Considering the running expenses of ten-days’ trip to and from the fishing grounds, it will be seen that the crew ore not too well paid often for their hard and ~for such small craft as those engaged in that method of fishing are —dangerous work.
1926
Some very fine specimens of fossilised tree trunks may be seen near Caplie Farm, Cellardyke. Doubtless they are the remains of an ancient forest which grew there thousands of years ago.
ACTION AGAINST PERTH MOTOR MECHANIC. Echo of Road Accident. Sheriff Condie Sandeman has issued his decision an action at the instance of James Tarvit, (Stewart), share fisherman, 22 Fowler Street, Cellardyke. against James Adam Carnegie, motor mechanic, Keithick Place, Perth. Pursuer sued defender for £40 for loss earnings and personal injuries sustained through the negligence of defender in running him down on the high road between Pittenweem and St Monans on 20th June, 1925. Sheriff Substitute Skinner found that the defender was guilty of negligence in failing to keep sufficiently to his own side when passing the pursuer and his companion, and awarded pursuer £39 of damages with expenses. The defender appealed to the Sheriff Principal, who in refusing the appeal and finding defender liable in expenses, states that he is entirely satisfied with the reasons given by the learned Sheriff Substitute and has nothing to say. Agents for pursuer, Messrs Guthrie and Maxwell, solicitors. Anstruther, and R. Macgregor, Mitchell and Company, solicitors, Perth, for the defender, and Mr Thomas Macpherson, solicitor, Perth.
1928
CELLARDYKE. New Joint Stock Company. — Robt. Watson & Co. (Ltd,. 11 George Street, Cellardyke, Anstruther (private company), has been registered to acquire the business of waterproof manufacturers, carried on by Robt. Watson & Co.. at Cellardyke and at Newburgh, Fife. Capital, £15,000 in 10,000 preference and 5000 ordinary shares of £1 each.
MOTOR PARADE AT CUPAR COURT. For failure to have two independent brakes in good working order on their motor cycles the following were fined 10s at Cupar Sheriff Court yesterday: —Alexander Cunningham, farmer, Easter Pitcorthie Farm, Anstruther; Alexander Harris, ploughman. Farm Cottages, Bannafield Farm, Stravithie, Dunino; James Aitken Watson, locomotive fireman, 28 Cunzie Street, Anstruther; For a similar offence James Tarvit, joiner, 29 Rodger Street, Cellardyke, was fined 15s.
1930
DOIG.—In loving memory of my dear husband Sergt. James Keay Doig, who died on 1st July at the R.A.F. Depot.. Dirigh Rd, Karachi, India, late of Cellardyke. —inserted by his widow.
FIFE GOLFER WINS U.S. TITLE BRILLIANT PLAY IN INDIANA CHAMPIONSHIP A Cellardyke man. Mr John C. Watson, who is engaged as a golf professional in the United States, has achieved a distinct success in the land of his adoption by winning the Indiana State open championship. That Mr Watson, who is the sixth son of Mr and Mrs Wm. Watson, 21 James Street, Cellardyke, is a brilliant golfer can be seen from the fact that he won the Indiana open crown with score of 281 for 72 holes. The figures for the individual rounds were 69, 71, 73. 68. His score, in addition to being four strokes better than that of the 1929 champion, is one of the lowest scores ever recorded in a State open championship in America. Mr Watson is present professional to Erskine Park Club, South Bend. Indiana, and is the first prof, to bring the State golfing crown South Bend. Within two months he has won two pro-amateur tournaments, and been runner-up in a third . Mr John C. Watson received his schooling at Cellardyke, and on leaving school secured a job as a joiner in Pittenweem. Professional at 18. He is nephew of Mr H. Duff, a St Andrews man, who is at present professional at Nashville, Georgia, and when 18 years of age he decided to cross the Atlantic and accept a post as assistant to his uncle. That was 10 years ago. He met with immediate success, and it was soon evident that he would make a name for himself in golfing circles. He went on to Louisville with his uncle, and within a short time decided to start on his own by accepting a post at Wanasee, where he remained for two years. Later he became professional to the Marion., Ind., club, and for the last four years has been professional to the Erskine Club.
Played With U.S. Stars.
He has played with many of the American stars, including Bobby -Tones and Walter Hagen. He had a thrilling tussle with Hagen on one occasion, and only lost on the last green. . _ . . No doubt Watson will be over in Britain within the next few years as an additional U.S.A. challenger for the British Open Championship.
GOVERNMENT BUYS FIFE BOAT – Anstruther’s Onaway for Research Work
The Ministry Agriculture and Fisheries, London, have purchased from Bailie Carstairs, Anstruther, the motor boat away for experimental and research work.
To replace her. Bailie Carstairs has now contracted with Messrs Forbes, of Sandhaven, for the building of new and much larger vessel, which is 75 feet long and of the cruiser stern type. The boat is to have installed 140 h.p. crude-oil full Diesel engine, starting from cold, and it is expected that the new craft will do somewhere about10 – 10 ½ knots. Great interest, being taken in this new pattern, and the boat will a handsome addition to the Anstruther fleet. The part owners of the Onaway—Messrs James and John Watson, Cellardyke, are also to be part-owners of the new boat. When completed the craft will one of the most remarkable vessels prosecuting the fishing, not only from the point of view of type and speed, but also because of many novel features. Bailie Carstairs was one the witnesses who gave evidence London before the Economic, Advisory Council set by the Government, to inquire into, the present condition the fishing industry, and that Council was greatly interested in the practical solutions which he put forward with regard to the economy which would be effected the introduction of fishing vessels of the type he has had built.
1932
EAST FIFE MIEN’S CANADIAN HONOUR. PRESENTATION OF HUMANE SOCIETY MEDALS. News has been received from Port Dover, Ontario, of the presentation of awards from the Royal Canadian Hamann Society to Mr Alexander Gardiner, son of Skipper John Gardiner, Cellardyke; and to Mr George C. Ingram, youngest. son of Mr C. lngram, fishcurer. Anstruther. Messrs Gardiner and Ingram figured prominently in life-saving attempt. and their gallantry was brought to the official attention of the Canadian Humane Society representatives. – In handing over the medals and parchment of the Society, Mr H. E. Watermann, secretary, said Messrs Gardiner and Ingram had proved themselves heroes, and the awards were the Victoria Crosses of days of peace.
1936
Drifter Launched Broadside on A gathering of about 2000 spectators witnessed the launch of Provost W. W. Carstairs ‘ new diesel-engined drifter at Cellardyke Harbour yesterday afternoon. A special attraction was the fact that the vessel was launched broadside on. The vessel is a new type of drifter with cruiser stern, and she is fitted with all the latest appliances, including an electric capstan. Electric light is fitted throughout, along with other modem fittings. She is 69 feet overall, with 18 ft 3 ins beam, and 8 ft draught. She was named Royal Sovereign by Mrs Hogarth, wife of Mr George Hogarth. Chairman of the Scottish Fishery Board, of which Provost Carstairs is a member. A function followed in the reading room of Cellardyke Town Hall, when Provost Carstairs presented Mrs Hogarth with a memento of the occasion.
1938
SWIMMING NOTES. (By Step Rock Amateur.) Arrangements are now completed for holding a gala at Cellardyke Pool on Thursday of next week at 6 p.m. On the invitation of the Cellardyke Pool Improvement Committee, the Step Rock A.S.C. are carrying out a full programme of swimming, diving, water polo, and novelty events. A ‘bus will run from St Andrews, and all S.R.A. swimmers taking part in the gala will have their expenses paid. Swimmers wishing to take part please notify the S.R.A. Secretary as soon as possible.
FISHERMAN DIES AT SEA
David Christie- (60), a member of the crew of the motor fishing boat Good Hope, KY. 165, meantime fishing from Fraserburgh harbour, and whose home address is, 26 Roger’ Street, Cellardyke, collapsed and died while at work in the hold of, the vessel. The skipper immediately cut the nets and hailing another boat in the vicinity, asked her to haul them later. He made for port as quickly, as possible, and arrived in Fraserburgh at 12 . 45 yesterday morning. A doctor was called, and pronounced life -extinct, death being due to natural- causes.
1939
CANOEISTS RESCUED BY MOTOR BOAT Two Men Have Narrow Escape Two Cellardyke men had narrow escape from drowning when a canoe in which they were paddling capsized in the Firth of Forth about half a mile off Cellardyke Harbour. The men were rescued in the nick of time by James Watson, 55 George Street, Cellardyke who dashed out in his motorboat, Day Dawn, which was lying Cellardyke harbour. Anstruther lifeboat crew stood by, but the lifeboat was not launched. Principal figures the adventure were George Nicolson, painter. Shore Street, Cellardyke, and Thomas Murray, mason, Dove Street, Cellardyke. On bending over the- side of the canoe to retrieve a paddle which had dropped into the water, Nicolson capsized the boat. Both were thrown into the water. Nicolson managed keep himself afloat holding on the boat. Murray, meanwhile, swam around, keeping to the canoe. Their plight was observed by people on the shore, and a woman ran to a telephone kiosk and put a call through for Anstruther lifeboat. Shortly afterwards the rockets went off, summoning the lifeboat crew Meanwhile, James Watson, who lives in the vicinity, put out in his small motor boat. He reached the canoeists after they had been in the water for about 25 minutes. The men were in an exhausted state, and had to pulled aboard the boat which then took the canoe in tow and returned the harbour. Nicolson and Murray soon recovered after a hot bath.