1865
CELLARDYKE. The Lifeboat. In the course of the last week Captain Robertson, RN., visited Anstruther and met with the local lifeboat committee in reference to a site for the boathouse and other kindred business. The site at the Cross was considered the best, but as some of the neighbouring proprietors objected to it, the committee resolved to erect the house at the East pier as originally proposed. It has not yet been decided whether the building shall be of wood or of stone, but as the lifeboat is expected early in October, commencement to it will ere long be necessary. Captain Robertson, we understand, expressed very much surprise at the absurd proposal that had been made to erect the boat-house at the ropewalk. The intermeddling of some of our officious neighbours having come under the gallant Captain’s notice, he stated that the lifeboat was not at all to be considered .. belonging to Anstruther, but that it was to be understood as the Cellardyke Fishermen’s Lifeboat, as it was by their gallantry and heroism alone that it was to be anticipated the boat would fulfil the noble purpose for which it had been stationed in the district. He also made a suggestion, which we believe will be carried into effect, that a general meeting of the fishermen should be held at the close of the herring fishing for the purpose of appointing an efficient coxswain and crew for the lifeboat.
Anstruther -Lynch Law in the East of Fife. -In the early part of Monday afternoon, the west end of the neighbouring town of Cellardyke was the scene of a most extraordinary and singular occurrence, so far, at least, as the East Neuk is concerned. At the time in question, a notorious character, of the name of James Haggart, better known by the sobriquet of “Abernethy,’ was seen entering the town of Cellardyke, where public feeling was running very strongly against him in consequence of his being implicated in a case of a peculiarly bad and heartless nature. Whether the matter had been preconcerted or not, we are unable to state, but no sooner had he made his appearance than the women in the neighbourhood gathered together and began to give unmistakable expression to their anger and abhorrence by hooting and pelting him with stones. Quailing before the fury of his assailants, the craven attempted to beat a retreat, but he was no match for his nimble- tongued, nimble-limbed pursuers, who continued to shower upon him whatever of hard missile or foul epithet that came readiest in the way. In this manner he reached the top of the road at Caddies Burn, when he was either struck down by a stone, or, what was more probable, he pretended to be under the influence of liquor, and so cast himself, in apparent helplessness, on the ground. This clumsy appeal, however, to move their compassion, was treated with utter disdain by his female adversaries — who had now increased to hundreds— for, amidst a perfect Babel of mingled screams of laughter and yells of execration, they crowded around the prostrate wretch. In a twinkling he was almost buried beneath a mass of potato stems and earth, which were brought by right willing hands from the adjoining field, and a cooling sedative was also now and then administered m the shape of sundry bucketfuls of water. The noise and confusion drew large numbers to the spot, but the graver portion of the community, when they saw that neither life nor limb were in any great danger, moved quietly on when they ascertained the cause, or remained the passive, if not amused, spectators of the extraordinary hubbub. The sympathies of some Highland halfdealsmen were, however, more active than those of the townsfolk, for after a vigorous attempt these “children of the mist” at length succeeded in rescuing the drenched and forlorn- looking outcast from the vengeance of the “Lynchers,” many of whom seemed half mad with frolic and excitement. The assistance of the bobbies was ultimately obtained, and under the safe escort of those liveried footmen of the law he was majestically marched off to the lock-up, followed of course by an immense train of men, women, and children. While on their triumphal progress, the heroines who made themselves so conspicuous in this rough and ready administration of justice were vociferously cheered by the large groups of half- dealsmen and others lounging about the shore – a compliment which bashfulness did not prevent them from returning with gratitude and effect. So far as we can learn, no bodily injury was sustained by the victim of popular rage, although it is to be hoped that the sharp reproof which he has received will have the effect of making him a wiser and better man for the future, and that it will also be a warning to others that the inhabitants of Cellardyke will not with impunity allow their town to be insulted and dishonoured by practices that make the cheek of humanity blush with shame and resentment.
1866
The Herring Fishing.—The discouraging nature of the fishing on this coast, since itscommencement five or six weeks ago, was pleasantly diversified on Friday, when large quantities of herrings were landed at the various stations of the district by boats which had returned from the “White Spat,” that now celebrated fishing haunt which is situated about twenty miles in the offing of Kincardineshire. The anxiety and gloom which previously depressed the spirits of all interested in the fishing then gave place to the pleasure and exultation natural to the altered and brightened position of affairs. The comparative silence and desertion of the streets and harbour were quickly changed into noise and excitement, and the quays and fish-curing yards, so empty and neglected before, were in the course of a few hours the scene of bustle and lightsome labour. During the day it is computed that about 1000 crans were landed Cellardyke, 800 at Anstruther, over 500 at Pittenweem, and at St Monance— the total quantity landed these stations being about 3200 crans.
1867
Warning to Carters. -At a Justice of Peace Court held in St Andrew’s on Wednesday Alexander Gardiner, carter, Cellardyke, was charged- with contravention of the Turnpike Act, in so far Sunday the 4th inst., he allowed his horse to graze the side of the turnpike road leading from Anstruther to Kilrenny. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced pay the sum 5s 6d in name of fine and expenses.
1868
IMPROVEMENT OF CELLARDYRE HARBOUR.—In the course of the late spring tides good service has been done to this harbour, and through it to the community of Cellardyke, by the removal of the worst of the remaining rocks, such as the ” Bellman,” &c. As some peculiar difficulties lay in the way of blasting the rocks, it was thought advisable to try the experiment of dragging them out of their beds by means of chains and crab winches, which proved exceedingly successful. These useful and important operations have been carried out under the direction of Mr Pottinger, boatbuilder, Anstruther, and the expense we believe will be defrayed from a fund which was sometime ago raised by a subscription amongst the fishermen themselves, and also by a balance of one of Captain Alexander Rodger’s donations to his native town. As Cellardyke harbour will be more than ever resorted to, the removal of these dangerous obstructions is naturally regarded with the greatest satisfaction by all concerned.
1869
Arbroath …. There are two curing firms which have agents at this port this season – Messrs Johnston and Sons Montrose and Messrs Sharp and Murray, Cellardyke
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