This week Thomas Cormack expands his business, only to have it up for sale a few years later
1890
Mr Watson, Cellardyke, son of Mr George Watson, West Forth Street, was one of the crew of the ship Hazelbank, Glasgow, which stranded in a dangerous part of the Goodwin Sands at an early hour on Tuesday morning. All the crew were saved, but lost all their effects. The vessel was on her maiden trip, and laden with, grain.
A telegram was received in Cellardyke in the course of Tuesday night telling that one of the boats fishing at Yarmouth had been sunk is the river by collision with a smack 9 The Early Blossom of Ramsgate) . Fortunately, however, the crew were saved. The boat is reported to be the “Maggie Brown”—Robert Davidson master.
1892
Some question having arisen in Cellardyke as to the qualifications of a Town Councillor, the Clerk, at the monthly meeting on Tuesday night, stated that a Councillor must either reside or carry on business within the burgh.
Provost Martin said the question referred principally to himself, and he mentioned that although he had retired from business he had still an interest in the firm of Martin & Co, Cellardyke. Satisfaction was expressed that the Provost was still eligible to sit as a Councillor.
The sanitary condition of Cellardyke was declared to be extremely satisfactory, the Sanitary Inspector stating that there was not a single case of distress in the town among old or young. Complaint was made against the stability of two old houses at the east end of Cellardyke, and the proprietors are to be written to, to have them demolished.
Fined for assaulting the Police
At a Burgh Court on Monday, before all the Magistrates, David Ross, fishcadger, Cellardyke, pled guilty to a breach of the peace and assault on the police at the Shorehead some time ago. Provost Anderson, in passing sentence of 12s 6d or 14 days imprisonment, said assaults on the police were becoming too common offences, and they must be put down. Accused was a young man, and as this was his first offence they had dealt leniently with him, but he hoped he would not come back again.
1894
WANTED,
BY The Police Commissioners of Kilrenny,
OFFERS for LIFTING and CARTING off the DUNG, from the Streets and Lanes of Cellardyke, including the FULZIE from the Public and Infant Schools, for One Year from Martinmas next. Offers to be according to Regulations, which may be seen in the hands of Mr R. G. THOMSON, Treasurer, who will receive Offers not later than Four o’clock of the 30th current. Cellardyke, 19th October 1894.
(I had to look up Fulzie -FULYIE, n., v. Also ful(l)zie, fulze, fuilzie, foul(z)ie.
n. 1. Filth, dirt, the sweepings of the street, domestic garbage; dung, excrement)
The Cellardyke boats at Islay have not an average of £2O yet. The highest skipper has only about £4O to his credit.
1895
The Cellardyke boats which have been fishing at Scarborough returned home last week. The season was only fair one, the highest boat having only fully £100, while the average is £6O. Nine steam liners were engaged the white fishing. The boisterous weather prevented them making two trips to sea, but the shots realised from £19 to £89, the total sum earned being £393. The demand was good, and the prices firm.
The wild weather which came away in the middle of last week proved general, and put a stop to fishing operations from Yarmouth to Fifeness. The Fife crews at the latter place and also those at the neighbouring port of Lowestoft were compelled to lie ashore until Monday again came round. The doings have gone to show that there are several shoals on the ground, but, judging from the prices, the quality is not of the best. The Scarborough Drave must now be nearing the finish. Moderate weather has been their fortune, except the late gale, and the only drawback has been the scarcity of fish. Here and there the crews have done well, but others have barely made good the expenses. The advices on Monday announced that many were thinking of starting for home. Some Pittenweem crews were only two days behind their letters, and it is expected that the Cellardyke men will not tarry much longer.
The storm broke over the fleet while they were shot, but one and all safely rode it out. Amongst the many items in the letters it was mentioned that the Maggie Scott, of Cellardyke, while lying at the wharf at Yarmouth, had been run into by the Glengarry, St Monance, which was tacking up the river. She was severely injured, and had to be beached.
The liners, with the exception of the East Neuk, had to rest content with one shot, the details of which we gave last week. Judging from the great gathering of all kinds of craft to the lee of Elie Ness a heavy sea was raging outside the Firth, and the Bonito, which tried to face it, had to turn back. The steamers have sped very well. The Pioneer, which has been hired by Skipper Adam Reid, was telegraphed from Shields on Wednesday with £104 for the first shot. A number of townsmen were in the Tyne on the same day, the details being : — Glenogil, £89 ; Tennant, £31; Fair, £13; and Edith, £13; while the Maggie was at Newhaven with £50. The Pittenweem vessel was also at Shields with £48 for her shot. The reports from Islay are far from cheering; little has been done by the Fife yawls, but it is hoped that a change for the better will set in by another week.
1896
DISITURBANCE AT THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE. —Before the Anstruther Magistrates on Monday, Chapman Lowrie, baker, Cellardyke, pled guilty to having on Thursday, the 15th Instant, in the Town Hall, and in the School Green, created a disturbance. The Fiscal said the row began in the Town Hall, which was packed. There was no saying what might have happened if accused had not been firmly dealt with. It might have led to a panic. He continued the row as far as the School Green when taken outside the Hall. The Provost said accused had brought himself into a disgraceful position. He hoped he would take better care in future any not get into such a scrape. The fine imposed was 7s 6d or five days. Fine paid.
Last night the employees of Messrs Martin & Co, Cellardyke were entertained to supper in the Town Hall, on the occasion of the marriage of Mr James Leslie with Miss Agnes Bruce. A very enjoyable evening was by the company.
THE NEW FISH GUANO FACTORY.—Part of the extensive fish-curing premises belonging to the late Mr T. Cormack, has been fitted up a factory for the manufacture of guano for land from fish offal by his son, Mr Thomas Cormack, who now carries on this as well the sawmill business. The place in which the manufacture is conducted is close to the seashore, and to the south of the sawmill sheds. A large jacketed boiler, 8 feet by six in diameter, has been built over a well. The offal is put in at the south end of the boiler, and when the engine is turned on a set of stirrers work inside which grinds the offal to fine powdery sand. The process takes five hours, and the guano is taken out from the bottom of the boiler, and falls into the well. It is then ready for use. A large ventilating pipe inserted into the chimney stalk carries sway the waste steam and the smell. Already a considerable quantity of the guano has been manufactured and disposed of, but of course the supply of offal being so small at the present season the boiler is not in constant use, but in the beginning of the year and in the spring it will be constantly employed. The guano has been analysed by Mr Macdougald, Dundee, analyst for the county of Fife, and he has pronounced it particularly high in phosphates and ammonia. The farmers and others who have used it also speak in high terms of its qualities, and a well-known firm of farm manure merchants are negotiating for the purchase of large quantities every year. Mr D Macdougald gives the result of his chemical examination as follows:—Moisture 14.02, organic matter 56.10, yielding nitrogen 8.3 per cent, equal to ammonia 10.08 per cent; phosphoric acid 10.69, equal to phosphate of lime 23.30; alkaline salts, &c., 6.09 ; and sand .48.

1897
At the Burgh Court on Monday, before Bailies Darsie and Morton, Alexander Murray, fireman, Cellardyke, was charged with having in East Green on Saturday, 9th instant, committed a breach of the peace. He pled not guilty. Several witnesses spoke to the offence, and he was fined 7s 6d or 7 days.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A FISHERMAN. The charge against Joseph Ritchie, fisherman. Cellardyke, was called but he failed to appear. Sergeant Anderson testified that he left a citation at accused’s house on Friday evening. The Fiscal—l understand this man is at sea. He is charged with a very serious assault, and I ask for a warrant to apprehend him as soon as he comes ashore. The Sergeant will be judicious in enforcing it, for if he promises to be here next Monday he will not enforce it, but I want the power to arrest if necessary. The warrant was granted, and the trial fixed for Monday, at eleven o’clock.
1898
Another Body Found. —On Thursday the body of a Norwegian seaman was washed ashore Cellardyke. Friday morning of last week, the body of a man, supposed to be a member the crew of one of the wrecked vessels in the recent storm, was found at the west side of Roome Brae, Crail. The body was taken charge of by the Local Authority, and was interred on Saturday. Rev. Mr Reid conducted service the grave, the inhabitants turning out in large numbers.
1899
FIFESHIRE DESIRABLE PROPERTIES, including DWELLING HOUSE and FISHCURING PREMISES, &c., in CELLARDYKE FOR SALE. There will be Sold by Public Roup (in virtue of the powers contained in Bond and Disposition in Security,) within the TOWN HALL, Cellardyke, on TUESDAY, 21st November 1899, at Two o’clock Afternoon, in One or Two Lots. (1) That Commodious DWELLING HOUSE, GARDEN and OFFICES, and (2.) the WOODYARD, SAW-MILL, and extensive FISHCURING PREMISES with the machinery of the Saw-mill, including Steampower, all situated at the East End of Cellardyke, and presently occupied by Ma THOMAS COMMACK, and others. For further particulars apply to MESSRS JAMIESON & GUTHRIE, Solicitors, Anstruther, in whose hands are the Title Deeds and Articles of Roup.
MACHINE ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday forenoon, while Dr Flaxman’s machine was being driven along George Street, something startled the horse, and it fell, bringing the machine down. The Doctor’s assistant and the driver were thrown out, but escaped without any injury. The trams of the machine were broken, but the horse sustained no hurt.
A telegram was received yesterday, that the Cellardyke boat, Vanguard, landed at the south 100 crans of herrings, which sold at 24s per cran, making a total sum of £120.














