1921
PUZZLE FOR EAST FIFE SKIPPERS. PAYMENT PILOTAGE CLAIMS. Early this year the announcement was made by the Admiralty that applications for the payment of claims for pilotage were awaited from skippers in command of trawlers and drifters in H.M. Service during the war. Later it was suggested that payments might be made through the treasurer of the National Sailors’ and Firemen Union. If this was agreed upon authority for this method of payment should given by the skippers in regard to their respective claims. large number of claimants belong the East of Fife district, where, with few exceptions, the skippers Cellardyke, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St Monans held command in H.M. Service. Anxious to secure the money to which they were entitled, they obtained the necessary forms, and sanction was given to the union officials to take payment of claims. Judge of the surprise of the skippers when a letter was received from the Union stating that as the claimants were non-union men the claims could not be dealt with. This decision has given rise to considerable dissatisfaction amongst the war-time skippers, especially at Cellardyke, and they trying to solve the problem of how to collect their claims, for although many have been forwarded to different quarters no notice appears to have been taken of them.
NEW METHOD OF SELLING CATCHES AGREED ON BY CELLARDYKE FISHERMEN. Cellardyke fishermen are at present putting their ” house in order.” For some time past it has been felt that the method of disposing of the catches at Anstruther Harbour has been unsatisfactory, and it is alleged by the fishermen to have been the means of keeping down the price per cran. An attempt is to be made to alter the existing conditions, and to make arrangements for the change a meeting of fishermen was held in Cellardyke Town Hall. Councillor Philip Gardner, who, although retired from fishing activities, takes a practical interest in the welfare of the fishermen, was called to the chair, and explained that the object of the meeting was to consider whether at next winter’s fishing at Anstruther herring should be sold through salesmen by bell or whether they should keep to the old method of selling privately to buyers making the highest bid on the piers. If the meeting decided in favour of the bell method they would have to draw up rules and stick to them, and not only that, but they would have to stick to one another. He suggested that, if approved by the meeting, a small committee should be appointed to discuss the matter with the salesmen. They would also require to fix the rate of commission for salesmen, but that could be left until later. Skipper Martin Gardner supported the new proposal. Under the old system, he said, many fishermen were kept hanging round the piers all morning waiting on a bid, when under the bell method they would be able to go home and get a few hours’ rest. He moved that the meeting adopt the bell method. (Applause.) Skipper Lock Horsburgh said he had been told by two or three stranger buyers that if the bell was introduced they would come to Anstruther; if not, they would go to other ports. He supported the motion. Under the old method was sometimes difficult to know what the bid was and who made the bid.
Making More Competition. He also instanced a case where boat came to Anstruther Harbour and the skipper had to go through all the town to get buyer to take them. The bell method would make competition more keen, and the fishermen would not suffer through that. It was at least worth a trial. The Chairman asked if anyone present was against the bell method. Skipper Horsburgh —I don’t suppose any of the fishermen will be against it. The buyers might be against it. (Laughter.) Fear was expressed by several fishermen present that all the fishermen might not stick together, and that a number would sell privately. After further discussion, the Chairman’s suggestion to appoint a committee to confer with the salesmen was approved, and the following were elected: —Messrs Martin Gardner, Lock Horsburgh, John Martin, Robert Anderson, T. Reid, John Muir, R. Gardner, and the Chairman. Thereafter the Committee met the salesmen in the Harbour Office, Anstruther, when it was agreed to adopt the bell system, and the commission of the salesmen was fixed. The Committee was authorised to take steps, as far as legally could, to prevent any fishermen deviating from the rules laid down.
1922
CELLARDYKE MAN’S LIFE LOST AT SEA. A Promising Career Cut Short. The sad intelligence of the accidental death of Mr John Brown, marine engineer, was received in Cellardyke during the weekend, and cast gloom over the community. Deceased was third engineer on the steamer Onega, belonging to a Leith firm. This vessel left Hull recently for America, and from the meagre details supplied in letter from Newhaven, Connecticut, it appears that the young engineer met his death on the high seas as a result of a valve in the engine-room bursting A bright young man of only 27 years of age, Mr Brown was well-known as an enthusiastic member of Cellardyke Y.M.C.A. and also of the Temperance Association. He was an engineer of much promise. A native of Cellardyke, he was the son of the late Mr Leslie Brown (Smith) and of Mrs Brown, 1 Fowler Street. Much sympathy has been expressed to the widowed mother of deceased, his brother, and to his fiancée, to whom he was about to be married.
CELLARDYKE. Laid to rest Corporal W. Anderson, native of Cellardyke, who died from the effects of wounds received in the war, was laid to rest in Kilrenny, in presence a large gathering of mourners including Lieut-Colonel T. D. Murray, D.S.O.; Major C. H. Maxwell, 0.B.E.: and Captain Hugh C. Macintosh. M.C. Cpl. Anderson was the son of the late Mr Alex. Anderson, and Mrs Andersen, now resident in Hadfoot Wynd, Anstruther.
1923
DEATH OF WELL-KNOWN CELLARDYKE MAN. JOHN BUTTERS’ PUBLIC SERVICES. The death of ex-Bailie John Butters, which occurred at his residence, Margaret’s, Cellardyke, removes one of the best known inhabitants from the East of Fife. Mr Butters had been in indifferent health since he suffered from a serious illness about two years ago, but he had recovered sufficiently to interest himself in his garden and to take a country stroll occasionally. Born in the village of Kilrenny 71 years ago, Mr Butters commenced business in Cellardyke as a general merchant in 1870, and achieved considerable success. In the affairs and welfare of the burgh Mr Butters took a prominent part. He was member of Kilrenny Town Council for over 20 years, and held a Bailieship. He also served on the Parish Council. Retiring two years ago on the advice of his doctor, he confined his activities to horticulture. As a florist he had no equals in the district, and the displays of plants and flowers in his gardens and hothouses were always much admired. He is survived two sons and one daughter, his wife having predeceased him about ten years ago.
Mr Alexander Milne, retired fishcurer, died at Queen Mary Street, Fraserburgh on Tuesday morning, after a short illness. The funeral of this old and greatly esteemed citizen, which took place on Friday to Kirkton Cemetery, was very largely attended. Mr Milne was native of the Parish of Gamrie, where he was born 87 years ago, and came to Fraserburgh in his early boyhood. He served his time as a cooper, with the late Mr James Cardno, fishcurer, and after working in Cellardyke and other places in the south for a few years, he returned to Fraserburgh, and was in the employment of Messrs A. Bruce and Co., up till 1864, when he commenced business on his own account.
1924
CELLARDYKE SKIPPER DEAD. With tragic suddenness the death took place yesterday of Skipper Henry Gardner, James Street, Cellardyke. Skipper Gardner, who was part owner of the steam drifter Acorn, of which his son Martin is skipper, had retired from active sea service, but he generally liked to take a part in any shore work in connection with his vessel. During the forenoon was engaged in tarring a mizzen sail, and between one and two o’clock he suddenly collapsed. Dr Wilson was immediately called, but he could only pronounce life extinct. The circumstances of the sudden demise of one who was so much esteemed in the three burghs cast quite a gloom over the communities. Skipper Gardner was the oldest surviving son of the late Mr Martin Gardner, and was a little over 62 years of age. His wife predeceased him a number of years ago. He was a keen Churchman, and took great interest in the work of Cellardyke Parish Church, of which he was a member. attended the last General Assembly. Mr Gardner is survived by a daughter and a son.
CELLARDYKE MAN MISSING. Fate of One of Crew of Drifter Mace. telegram from Yarmouth, where most of the East of Fife fishing fleet is prosecuting the herring fishing, conveyed the news that George Corstorphine, 57 George Street, Cellardyke, has been missing since Saturday evening, Corstorphine, who is 34 years of age. is married with a family of two, and is employed fisherman on the steam Mace, skippered by Mr Martin Gardiner, Cellardyke. The Mace left Anstruther about fortnight ago and had been working south. The missing man is a son of Mr and Mrs George Corstorphine, John Street, Cellardyke.
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