1935
Masonic Service at Cellardyke The brethren at Masonic Lodge St Ayle, No. 95, Anstruther, along with brethren from other Lodges in the East of Fife, will attend Cellardyke Parish Church to-morrow afternoon, when the Chaplain, Bro. Rev. J. R. Lee, B.D., will conduct the service.
1936
ANSTRUTHER MAN’S FATE FOUND DROWNED IN THE HOOGLI Member of Liner’s Crew Mr William Michael Wood, aged 31, an Anstruther man, who was quartermaster on the Ellerman liner City of London, was found drowned on the River Hoogli at Calcutta this morning. He went amissing last Saturday from his boat. Mr Wood was a native of Aberdeen and came to Anstruther when boy. When in Anstruther he resided “with his aunt. Miss Mary Parker, East Green. He served an apprenticeship as a draper with Thomson Bros., Cellardyke. Later he was a member of the crew the steam drifter, Kincraig, for two years. He was seaman with the Ben Line for three years and had been engaged with the Ellerman Line, on the City of London, for the past five or six years. Mr Wood, who was an orphan, was unmarried.
“NO HOPE” MESSAGE IN BOTTLE WRITTEN BY CELLARDYKE MATE
Echo of Trawler Disaster – “S.T. May Island gone .no hope . . off Shetland Islands.”
This dramatic message, possibly the last words from the ill-fated crew of the Granton trawler which was wrecked last month off the Island of Unst, was contained in a lemonade bottle which has been picked up on the coast by a Shetland woman. The writing of the message has been identified as that of the trawler’s mate, John Tarvit, of Cellardyke. The information was received by those who are organising the relief fund which has been opened to assist the dependants of the ten men who went down with the trawler. Two Bodies Recovered. It was learned in Lerwick that the very time at which memorial service was being held for the lost crew in the church at Norwick, nearest to the scene of the tragedy, two bodies were being recovered from the sea. They are believed to members of the crew, although there was no means of identifying them. They have been buried on the island. It was during the gale on February that quantity of wreckage was driven ashore at Norwick. which is the northeastern end Unst, the wreckage giving the name and registration indices, _ ” May Island, L.H.194.” The trawler, which had gross tonnage of 195, was owned by Messrs Thomas H. Scales & Son, Newhaven. No news the crew, which came from Inverness. Fife, Cockenzie, Leith, and Edinburgh, was received until the two bodies which have been recovered were seen floating near the scene of the wreck.
PITTENWEEM’S OLDEST INHABITANT DEAD WAS FISHERMAN AT AGE OF 75. Pittenweem’s oldest inhabitant, Mr Andrew Boyter, 18 Midshore, died yesterday in his 93rd year. He had been in failing health for some time. Mr Boyter was a native of Cellardyke, and went to Pittenweem about 26 years ago. He was well known and highly respected in the east coast burghs. He was skipper of the Storm King for many years, and was fishing up till he was 75 years of age. He is survived a daughter and two sons.
CONCRETE mixer (Millar), 10 x 7 cub. ft.; 1 wood hut, watchman’s box, quantities battens, boards, sleepers, and miscellaneous stores belonging to M’Nulty Ralph, Ltd. (in voluntary liquidation). May be seen at Wyllie’s Yard, Cellardyke, Fife. Inquiries and offers to G. K. Johnston Smillie, C.A., 6 Forres Street, Edinburgh.
1937
Alexander’s Bus strike
…. Workers the early morning had a difficult time. Special buses which conveyed factory girls every morning to Cellardyke failed to run this morning, and many of the girls from the neighbouring towns travelled by train. They will have to shorten hours to suit the trains. Other girls hired cars to take them to work. A large number of fishermen who left their boats Methil travelled home to Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St Monance by train.
Exhibition – Adam Smith Hall Kirkcaldy
……….From Innergellie comes an exhibit of unusual interest—a Breeches Bible of 1599 . — It qualifies for entry into the exhibition by reason of its elaborately embroidered red velvet cover, now much worn . …….. By contrast, another section is devoted to fishermen’s jerseys knitted by fisherwomen in Cellardyke , Anstruther . These warm, hard-wearing navy blue jerseys are exceedingly rare, and hard to obtain nowadays.
1938
CELLARDYKE MAN DROWNED AT VANCOUVER News has been received of the death from accidental drowning off Vancouver on February 23 of Mr James Martin, native of Cellardyke, and son of the late Mr and Mrs James Martin, 36 , James Street. Mr Martin was the owner of the fishing boat Curlew M, on which his brother Martin was also engaged. On the morning of February 23rd they had practically finished operations, and as was the custom, Mr James Martin was dropping the trawl over the stern of the vessel in order to clean it when a rope caught his legs and he was pulled overboard. His brother immediately stopped the engine of the vessel, and, rushing to the stern, he saw James about three feet under the water pulling himself along the ground rope. He started to pull in the rope and was ultimately able to grip his brother by the shoulders. He had to drag him round the side of the vessel before he could get him on board, and by that time life was found to be extinct. Mr James Martin went out to Vancouver in 1906, and his last visit to Cellardyke was 18 years ago. He is survived by his wife, who belongs to Newhaven, and one daughter.
PUBLIC-HOUSE BUSINESS and PREMISES, known as ” BOAT TAVERN,”. CELLARDYKE, for Sale. Satisfactory reasons for Disposal. Only Public-House in Burgh. No reasonable offer refused. Apply Proprietor.
1939
CREW’S MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE
STRANDED BOAT GETS OFF
Flares Burned— Lifeboat Sent Out
The motor bauldie Good Hope—Skipper David Corstorphine, Cellardyke ran aground in dense fog at Balcomie Brigs, Fife Ness, at midnight. The crew burned flares to attract attention, and these were observed by the Carr Lightship, which immediately got in touch with the Coastguard at Fife Ness. He sent a call for Anstruther lifeboat, which was launched just after midnight under Second Coxswain Alex. Wood. While the lifeboat was on its way the Coastguard and the lightship reported that they could see no further signs of vessel on the rocks. The motor bauldie had got off on its own power, and appeared to be undamaged. The lifeboat stood until recalled by the district coastguard, returning at 4.30 this morning.
Skipper’s Story.
Skipper Corstorphine said he had just shot three nets when his vessel grounded in the vicinity of the Carr Lightship about a quarter to twelve. “We could not get our bearings owing to the searchlights of the fishing vessels the vicinity The sea was breaking on either side of us and we burned flares to attract attention. We got off with the tide in about hour, before the lifeboat arrived. The boat was undamaged.
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