1890
Fisherman Drowned at Aberdeen – John Sloan, fisherman on board the boat KY1329, Dayspring of Cellardyke fell into Aberdeen harbour on Saturday and was drowned, the body was in the water ten minutes, but life was extinct when it was taken out. Deceased belongs to Ballyveigh, Ireland and leaves a widow and family.
(Loss from the Dayspring KY1329 1890)
PROPERTIES IN CELLARDYKE FOR SALE. To be SOLD by Public Roup, within the TOWN HALL of CELLARDVKE, on SATURDAY, 20th September 1890, at 12 o’clock Noon, in virtue of the powers of sale contained in Bonds and Dispositions in Security. THE WHOLE PROPERTIES in JOHN STREET and TOLLBOOTH WYND belonging, or which belonged, to John Gilchrist, Shoe Merchant, comprising—
I. HOUSE and GARDEN, SHOP and FACTORY, No. 9 and SHOP and PERTINENTS No. 11 John Street.
II. DWELLING HOUSES, SHOPS, and others, Nos. 1,3, 5, 7 John Street, and DWELLING HOUSES, SHOP, BAKEHOUSE, STABLES, STORAGE, and others on east side of Tolbooth Wynd, and below John Street. Apply to DAVID COOK, Solicitor, Anstruther.
About four o’clock on Tuesday morning, Margaret Doig, residing in Dove Street, Cellardyke, was found dead in bed by her sister. She resided with her sister, and on Monday complained of being sick. The slyer rose during the night, and noticed that Margaret was breathing heavily, but nut caring to waken her she went to bed again. Shortly afterwards she found her dead. On the doctor being called the cause of death was certified to be haemorrhage on the brain. She was 62 years of age, and unmarried.
Death of Veteran, —Another familiar face has passed away from Cellardyke bulwark in Mr Wilson Birrell, who died on Monday in his 82nd year. The family name Is one of the moat numerous to-day on coast, but his great grand-father, a seafaring man, at Kinghorn. was the first to settle in the east of Fife. By his mother’s side he belongs to race of old sea captains in Anstruther. He inherited all the strength and resolution for which they were famous, being noted in his day as one of the most energetic skippers of the Forth. In his boyhood only fifteen boats sailed from Cellardyke. He himself fished at Wick with three nets to hand, but the tiller of the Lavinia, flying like the curfew through the spindrift, he was one of the first—like the brave old skipper of old—to lead the way to the untold wealth of the North Sea. was one of the few who steered safely through the foam when Wick Bay was so strewn with wreck and the dead- It is such as he who are the fathers of the coast being kindly remembered as much for their quiet and honourable life on shore as for their enterprise and daring at sea.
Fife Free Press Saturday 30th August 1890 page 4
1891
Aberdeen – On Friday as two little girls were walking along Pocra Quay, one of them tripped upon a ring at the quay side, and fell into the water. No one was beside at the time. Her companion hastened along the quay where William Smith, a Cellardyke fisherman, was seated in his boat. Smith at once made for the spot, and succeeded getting the little girl ashore little the worse for her immersion.
On Tuesday night the Cellardyke boat Glengarry arrived at Anstruther with 199 ½ crans of herrings. The fish were of good quality, being large and full, and realised 20s per cran. Several Cellardyke boats fishing at Aberdeen met with success last week, two or three having £211and £200 respectively for the week, and another two had on Saturday £162 5s and £115 respectively (the Glengarry’s catch almost 200 hundred crans at 20s or £1 per cran would be worth about £33 000 today, not bad for one night’s work.)
Peel City Guardian 22 August 1891 p6
1892
The Cellardyke boats at the Northern stations have not done so well as expected, while a few have netted from £300 to £500 for the season the great majority have only between £50 and £100 to their credit, a sum which will leave very little over after paying expenses.
FIFE FISHERMAN DROWNED AT PETERHEAD
The body of a fisherman was found in the south harbour, Peterhead, yesterday, It was identified as that of John Muir, 19 years old, belonging to Cellardyke, Fifeshire, and a hired man on board the fishing boat Reindeer. Muir was last seen on Broad Street about half-past one on Sunday morning, and it is supposed that in attempting to board his boat, which was moored near the place where the body was found, and in which he slept, he had fallen into the water.
(It is unclear if he was a crew member of the Reindeer or Mayflower KY46)
The homecoming of the fleet thus occurs under a shadow which the drave of many will only deepen. The first- comer proved to be the Magdalene Hughes, Skipper Fergus Hughes, the king fisher for the season. He is credited with £700, against which 30 nets lost on the Tuesday is the chief deduction. The crew is composed of half-dealsmen, who thus receive a splendid wage, as large as many an entire crew’s earnings, while the skipper, as owner, is placed far ahead on the list of rich draves. On the same Friday the Reliance, Cellardyke, (Skipper Adam Reid) returned to Anstruther, and his £450 will probably make him the king fisher of this port. The Golden Rule and Livina- came in on Thursday, and each succeeding tide was marked by the arrival of some boat or other, chiefly those from Aberdeen, from whom a recital of heavy hauls would weary one, and the tales of remuneration prove all too brief. With them the season has been a weary drag, intensified by the fever of a good shot, and the wet blanket thrown over the crew on their return to port by the lack of buyers. The average for the entire fleet at this port is about 280 crans, but the money realised is scarcely a fourth of that.
1893
Some of the Cellardyke boats were very successful at Peterhead on Tuesday, the Lady of the Lake having 130 ½ crans, while the Lilias Scott had 80, and the Maggie Scott 70 crans.
WANTED Immediately. Smart GIRL for Home Work, aged 16 or 17. Apply Mrs Thomas Scott, 81 George Street, Cellardyke.
Among the names of the successful candidates at the recent Intermediate or 1st B.A. examination London University is that of Mr Donald Macdonald, Cellardyke.
MISHAP TO A CELLARDYKE BOAT. —The steamer Rita, of Copenhagen, bound for Fraserburgh, collided with the herring boat Alice. of Cellardyke, KY. 1676 (John Bett, master), off Aberdeen on Wednesday morning. Part of the boat’s mast was carried away. A boat was lowered from the Rita and lay alongside the damaged craft till her nets were hauled. The Rita then towed the Alice into Aberdeen Bay.
POLICE COURT FRASERBURGH. —At this court on Monday -Bailie Macconnachie on the bench—Geo. Murray, skipper of the fishing boat K.Y. 71, of Cellardyke, was charged with a breach of the harbour bye-laws by refusing to obey an assistant harbour master when ordered to move his boat from one berth to another. Accused denied the charge but was convict ed on evidence. Accused was fined 20s with the alternative of 5 days in jail.
THE ABERDEEN STABBING AFFRAY.
THE IRISHMAN ACQUITTED OF MURDER
A High Court of Justiciary was held at Aberdeen yesterday before Lord Young. John McMullen (32), fisherman, a native of County Down, was charged with having, on the 31st July, in Market Street, Aberdeen, assaulted George Cormack, fisherman, Cormack Square, Torry, and did stab him on the left side of his chest and in his stomach, and did murder him. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and Mr W. A. Brown, advocate, defended him, instructed by Mr John RB. Dean, S.S.C. A special plea was tendered for the panel to the effect that he acted self-defence.
David Watson, master of the fishing boat Invincible, of Cellardyke, was the first witness called. He stated, in reply to Advocate-Depute Lorimer, that on the evening of Monday, 3st July, he and McMullen went to Stephen’s public house at the foot of Market Street. There were others there before them, but were not in their company. One of the men, whom witness understood was the deceased Cormack, said to McMullen “You have got an awful dirty face. You are a half-caste.” Witness made answer to the effect that Cormack had better mind his own business. They all left the public-house at eleven o’clock, and when they got on to the street witness saw McMullen and Cormack fighting. Witness himself was knocked down at the public-house door. Subsequently McMullen made a complaint to the policeman, and he and witness then went home. Watson did not see a knife used. McMullen did not raise a quarrel, Shown the knife with which the fatal assault was alleged to have been committed, witness said it was similar to a knife carried by McMullen. Witness and McMullen went to sea the day following the assault, and McMullen told him that he had used a knife, and had left his mark.
By Mr Brown – McMullen did not say anything to irritate or annoy Cormack. It appeared to witness that Cormack was anxious to get up a quarrel with McMullen, Witness did not see McMullen strike Cormack. Watson further stated that he had known McMullen for a month previous to the assault, and he appeared to be a man of peaceable disposition. He was not given to quarrelling and fighting.
Lord Young—Weil, the most useful lesson to draw from this is to keep out of the public-house.
Alexander Macgregor, barman in St Stephen’s public house, in Market Street, deponed that saw McMullen in the premises on the night in question, He heard Cormack remark to accused that he was a half-caste, Witness thought McMullen was very quiet. As McMullen was leaving the house he asked witness if he had seen “that man” striking him, and Macgregor replied in the negative
By Mr Brown – McMullen did not seem to be afraid.
Lord Young—He thought he was the ill-used party in the house.
By a Juryman – both parties were sober.
Lord Young – Sober at period of the evening (Laughter.)
Thomas Main, jun. fisherman, Torry, stated that he was in Cormack’s company in the public house The deceased left him, however, and went and spoke to McMullen and to Watson, both of whom he afterwards saw Cormack strike. Witness got into grips with Watson. He was taken away clear of latter, and on his way home he saw a crowd, in the middle of which Cormack was lying, Smith holding him up. A cab was got, and his was taken home, witness going with him.
Mr Brown – He had heard that Cormack was fond of fighting, but he did not think he was wanting to get into a fight that night. Witness saw McMullen strike Cormack.
His Lordship – The question is apparently the amount of guilt of using a knife. (To the advocate-Depute)—Are you willing to accept culpable homicide.
Mr Brown – Certain witnesses will put a very different complexion upon the disturbance. I think the evidence should go before the jury.
Lord Young—Very well; but it is not before the jury; it is before me.
William Henry Cressy, fisherman, 50 Gordon Street, Aberdeen, said he was at the foot of Market Street, and saw someone strike Watson. The latter said he did not want to fight. Cormack came up and struck McMullen six or seven times on the face with his fists. McMullen went backwards on his heels as if to get away. He ran into a lamp-post and fell, Cormack also fell, but as he was rising the accused struck him in the chest.
His Lordship – It was then the knife was used
Witness – “I never saw no knife.
By Mr Brown – McMullen seemed to be hard pressed. Cormack was attacking him very furiously. There was blood on McMullen’s face, and he seemed to be very frightened.
George Brown, trawler, 3 Trinity Quay, Aberdeen, corroborated, stating that he saw McMullen hard pressed, and exhorted him to stand his ground. Cormack was very violent. Witness walked down the street with accused, who complained to two policemen they met.
By Mr Brown—He did not see blood on McMullen’s face. When McMullen heard an English voice (witness’s) he evidently thought it was someone to take his part.
Constable George Low, of the City Police Force, spoke to having received a complaint by a Mr McMullen of having been assaulted, there was blood on McMullen’s face.
DR D.G.G. MacDonald deponed to having been called to attend Cormack. There was a wound on his left side between the seventh and the eighth rib, a sharp instrument having pierced the wall of the chest and entered the stomach. Death resulted from acute peritonitis.
DR Robert J. Garden corroborated, and stated that he also examined McMullen the day after the occurrence. There were four severe bruises on his head.
Sheriff Robertson then read Cormack’s dying deposition, which was taken on the day following the assault, The prisoner’s declaration was also read.
THE DEFENCE
Constable Charles Gauld, of the Kincardineshire Constabulary, was then called to give evidence as to the quarrelsome and fighting character of the deceased. Witness stated that during the four and a half years he was stationed at Torry he knew Cormack to be very quarrelsome and given to fighting. He was given to accosting people and picking quarrels with them. Witness had received frequent complaints about Cormack, and twice he reported him to the Procurator Fiscal for breach of the peace., Cormack and other young men were in the habit of coming over from Torry to Aberdeen, generally in the evening, and making disturbances when on their way home.
The Advocate Depute then intimated that he would accept a plea of culpable homicide and Mr Brown said that if such a verdict was returned, he would be satisfied to leave the case in the hands of the Judge. His Lordship suggested, however, that Mr Brown had better address the jury, which he accordingly did, maintaining that what the prisoner did was done in self-defence.
The Judge having summed up, the jury retired, and after an absence of eight minutes they returned a verdict unanimously finding the prisoner not guilty. McMullen was then discharged.
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