Author: cellaradmin

 1862

Fishing Notes St Andrews,,, The fishermen here are complaining very severely of the conduct of certain boats from Buckhaven, St Monance and Cellardyke which have been trawling the bay for the past four weeks. It alleged it tears up and destroys the grounds and the spawn and several of our boats have had their lines run over rough shod by the heavy trawl, cutting them to the loss and injury of their owners

1866

Alexander Cunningham only 23 years of age is setting up business in the East end of Cellardyke, building one of the largest fishing boats in the district. 47ft x 17ft

1868

Andrew Scott, carter, Cellardyke was sentenced to be imprisoned for 14 days for theft at the Stenton Roup. Andrew Pattie, carter, Cellardyke pled guilty to a breach of the peace at the Stenton roup and was fined £1 or 14 days imprisonment.

1875

Mr George Corstorphine, fisherman, Cellardyke, who in the act of scrambling from the boat to the west Pier Anstruther, laid hold of a piece of wood to assist his landing but the supposed stay yielded to his weight and gave way, and he fell into the harbour striking with considerable violence his head on the gunwale of the boat. His comrades immediately sprang to his rescue…shivering with wet and bleeding profusely from the stroke on his head his appearance at first excited the liveliest fears of his friends, but his condition has since been hopeful, but he has had to forego in the meantime his trip to the south

During the hurry and confusion at the departure of the boats in the intense darkness and rising wind, the deep sea fishing boat Olive Branch of Cellardyke, Skipper Thomas Smith, while leaving the pier under canvas was struck in the bow by another south bound boat. The collision excited little attention and less alarm, for thinking all secure the crew of the Olive Branch went on with their duty as their gallant craft flew like an arrow in the whistling breeze, till some two miles in the offing, two or three hands had an errand to the cabin, where they heard the sound of rushing water through the splintered planks.. happily the boat reached the shore in safety.

1896

Boot factory for Cellardyke

A few weeks ago the capital was subscribed for starting a boot factory in Cellardyke, but some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a site. This difficulty has now been overcome. The promoters have purchased a property in West Forth Street belonging to Mr John Ritchie and lately occupied by Mr Hutton, aerated water manufacturer which will be converted into a factory for the above purpose.

1918

Miss L J Smith, who for the past ten years has been a teacher at Moffat School has recently been appointed as assistant infant Mistress at Cellardyke Public School.

1925

Like most places Cellardyke has its housing problem, and despite the erection of twenty houses by the local authority the supply does not meet demand. At last night’s meeting of the Kilrenny town Council eight applicants, including one from Glasgow were received for tenancy of one of the municipal houses which had become vacant. … It was resolved to ballot the most deserving case. Three applicants, James Wood, Alex Anderson and Andrew Watson all belonging to Cellardyke were voted on and the result was in the favour of the first name..

1935

At a Pittenweem Liberals social, the speaker was Mr Russell , Leven… after teas songs were sung by Miss Jeanie Wood Pittenweem, Miss Ella Carstairs, Cellardyke and Dick Sellars, Pittenweem.

1835

Anstruther Easter – …. We have often regretted the want of an efficient police officer throughout the winter…. On Saturday nights the town is generally visited by gangs of the most disorderly young vagabonds from the neighbouring town of Cellardyke, who hesitate not to attack every female they meet, either with the most obscene language or gross personal maltreatment. Several instances have occurred of this since the fishermen have returned from the herring fishing, but, notwithstanding the knowledge of this, we regret to say that no steps have been taken by the public authorities to bring the offenders to justice.

1851

Skipper Adam Watson is called to Perth Court as a witness in a case against the Master of the Steamer Mars of Dundee which was run aground on the Rumness reef east of Crail . A girl called Katherine Sharkey lost her life that night..

Adam was fishing in his 38ft boat with 8 of a crew when hailed by the master of the Mars looking for a harbour to get coals. He was not informed that the vessel was sinking otherwise he would have taken crew and passengers aboard. Adam informed him that he could get the pilot out of Anstruther but this was taken no further.

The master eventually had the charge of culpable homicide dropped but was found guilty of culpable and reckless neglect of duty.

1865

The quickest passage of the season with new teas – The China Clipper ship, Min, Captain Smith (Cellardyke), arrived last Sunday after a very rapid passage from Foo-Choo-foo; and the Taeping, Captain MacKinnon, belonging to the same owners also arrived on Wednesday morning, beating every ship of the season in 102 days.

1869

The Effects of a loose tongue – At a burgh court, Bailie Brown, on the bench. James Haggart, better known by his soubriquet of Abernethy, was charged with breach of the peace, in so far as he used insulting and threatening language to James Watson, fishcurer, Cellardyke, and otherwise conducting himself in a drunken riotous manner near the east quay……. A witness supported James Watson’s evidence stating that had Watson not been a man with a mild temper, he would certainly have taken the law in his own hands, so unbearable was the language used towards him.. Found Guilty the defendant was fined 12s 6d or twelve days imprisonment, Bailie Brown reprimanded him saying this was the second disgraceful appearance before the bench in two months, and counselled him to refrain from drinking.

1876

The bankruptcy case of John Alexander Millar, boat builder Cellardyke is reported to be held 26^th October and creditors to meet in the Tontine Hotel Cupar. 6^th Nov.

1878

Burgh Court in Cellardyke – all the magistrates were on the bench when six schoolboys – John and George , sons of Robert Anderson, Alexander, son of James Moncrieff, James, son of James Parker, George, son of James Salter and William, son of William Melville, pleaded guilty to having in a mischievous frolic smashed the windows of the infant school. The poor little urchins, as they stood trembling in tears evinced great penitence for their thoughtless misdemeanour and after a pointed reprimand, they, or rather their parents were fined 2s each ..

1901

James Patterson Wallace, Cellardyke fisherman belonging to the Morning Star effected a most gallant rescue from drowning of a boy in Yarmouth harbour. The Morning Star was moored opposite the fish quay when the alarm was raised. The boy had fallen off the quay and passed under the keel of a steamer and rose to the surface some 80 yards down the harbour. Wallace, hearing the shouts from the crowded fish market though wearing seaboots and heavy clothing unhesitatingly plunged into the water and saved the boy who seemed dead. The Morning Star’s crew took the lad below and after prolonged exertions restored him to consciousness. Wallace’s heroic act was cheered by hundreds of admiring spectators

1930

The Gleanaway (KY40), the new type of fishing boat built to the order of bailie Carstairs, by Messrs J & G Forbes Sandhaven… has completed its speed tests off Cellardyke. It is believed its average speed was 11 ¼ miles per hour with approx. fuel consumption 3s 6d per hour. Should these figures be confirmed the installation of the diesel engine in this boat will mark a new era in the fishing industry, as the increased speed at a reduced cost of running is an all-important point for fishermen. The Gleanaway will leave next week for Yarmouth… (****NB A steam drifter was running at 8s 6d per hour . The Gleanaway cost £4100 to build, a wooden steam drifter was £4800 and a steel steam drifter £6200. The Gleanaway was to go on and set a record speed of return from Yarmouth doing the journey in little over 24 hours a standard drifter’s fastest return was upwards of 33 hours. )

1828

The body of a man, supposed to be one of the unfortunate crew of the boat belonging to Cellardyke that recently upset, was found on the beach at St Skeoch, near Boddin on Monday last.. .. height, above 5 feet seven, appeared to have been stout, hair black, had on a broad and narrow striped shirt tied with blue tape, blue jacket, blue breaches – light blue boot stockings with the letters I.D in white in the top of them – sea boots, old; had in his pocket a seal skin tobacco doss, in which two pone pound notes… half a crown and two shillings and a clasp knife.. The body was decently interred in the churchyard of St Vigeans by the Fishermen of Auchmithie. (likely to be one of the Davidson’s lost with the OLIVE reported last week)

1865

A meeting of the fishermen was held in the Town hall Cellardyke for the purposes of appointing the coxswain and crew for the lifeboat (Admiral Fitzroy). James Fowler esq (ancestor of Harry Fowler) was in the Chair….instructions issued by the NLI as to the duties and coxswain of the crew were read to the assembly. It was decided to elect 6 coxswains, anyone to take charge during an emergency as some fishermen may be absent… the following were elected Robert Brown, C Carstairs, Alex Fowler Kay, T Birrel, James Smith and John Pratt. 50 of the fishermen also volunteered as crew. The lifeboat was expected to arrive at the train station within the next few weeks.

1869

John A Millar (No relation to Millers of St Monans )  Boatbuilder Cellardyke is advertising a 19ft yawl suitable for the Clyde fishing and 15’ 6” ships boat for  sale

1891

Aberdeen – On Wednesday Morning, Charles Tulloch, residing in Lodge Walk, discovered the body of a many lying in the River dee. It was removed to the police office Torry and identified as that of David Corstorphine (50) fisherman of Cellardyke…. It is supposed he was returning to his lodgings and owing to the slippery nature of the ground has missed his footing and fallen in and had been unable to extricate himself from the mud… the deceased came to the town about a fortnight ago and had been engaged as a fisherman on board a steam fishing boat.

1892

Rescue from Drowning – On Saturday while some children were playing on board the boats in the inner harbour.. a boy of 7, son of Alex Fraser, shoemaker, Cellardyke, fell in the water. His companions gave the alarm and a fisherman named George Anderson, West Anstruther, immediately leaped in after him. With some trouble caused by the struggles of the child he swam to the side of the boats where others relieved him of his charge. Fraser was unconscious but speedily brought round, Anderson was none the worse, but he deserves great praise …as this is the 7^th life he has saved in 4 years…..

1905

Buckhaven – A singing competition under the auspices of Macduff Castle Tent IOR was held in aid of the building fund of the proposed new temperance hall First prize was awarded to Mr James Wood Cellardyke.

1913

10^th Oct  the best fished boats at Yarmouth this day were all Cellardyke boats, Lily and Maggie (70 crans), Carmi III (53 crans) and the White Cross (47 crans)

1944

Mrs E Wallace, 67 John Street has received intimation that her son Signaller Adam Wallace, Airborne Division has been posted missing. He was among those who took part in the landings at Arnhem.

1947

Robert Gardner Stevenson Graduates from St Andrews University with a BSc in Engineering

27^th September 1828

At three o Clock afternoon of the 24^th, while a fleet of Cellardyke boats were returning from Eden – water with mussels for bait, one of them the Olive, Davidson, Master, went down between the Carr Rock Beacon and the Isle of May, the boat and six of the crew were unfortunately lost. One of the boats in company succeeded in saving the only other man on board, named Davidson,  he has to lament the loss of two sons, a brother and a brother’s son.

25^th September 1860

Broughty Ferry – revival of religion – On Thursday night , a meeting was addressed in the Mission house by Robert Brown and Alexander Cunningham two fishermen of Cellardyke; and a sketch of the revival in that place was given…. Whereas in former years about £40 was spent on strong drink, when the herring boats were ‘hauled up’ this year the money has been laid aside forming a fund to meet some future emergency…..

1 Oct 1877

Departure of fishing boats for the South –  In the course of last week no less than 70 of our fishing boats left for Yarmouth and Lowestoft…. There will be fully 500 persons from Anstruther and Cellardyke prosecuting the enterprise at these ports.

30^th September 1885

The Rising Fortunes of Cellardyke – … Mr James Henderson has just sold the east most of the model fisher homes in the new street at right angles to Rodger Street, Cellardyke, to Mr Henry Beat (Bett) at the price of £365.. This house includes superior domestic accommodation for two families with every convenience for fishermen in the way of barking and storage of tackle. We also learn that Mr Alex Key has sold his house in West Forth Street to his Brother in law in Pittenweem, Mr David Parker, who intends to move thither with his family at the coming term. If the rumour is true, this is only one of several skippers and fishermen of Pittenweem who are about to take a similar step, so as to exchange that ill-suited over crowded shore for the fine harbour and other deep sea facilities enjoyed as nowhere else perhaps on the coast at Cellardyke.

28 Sept 1898

John Gardiner (28), Cellardyke, part owner of the Maggie Scott KY 27… has been drowned. The vessel put into West Hartlepool a week ago, In the evening Gardiner left the boat with several of the crew, from whom he departed some time afterwards declining to go to the place of entertainment on account of his deafness.. he was seen by the harbour police before midnight going aboard another vessel in order to get to his own boat but was not seen again… The harbour was grappled but without success.

 Yesterday the crew received intimation that his body had been found in the water

2 Oct 1943

The London Gazette announced the award of the OBE to Capt. William Smith Keay, whose vessel almost continuously attacked by an enemy aircraft , ‘ put up a magnificent defence’.  Son of Andrew Keay, Cellardyke his vessel was the subject of heavy bombardment from the air a torpedo practically tore the side off his vessel during the North African Landings.

2 Oct 1946

With borrowed shovels two demobbed naval officers laid the foundations of a new industry for East Fife. Lieut. Appleby and Lieut. Commander P Branch with Mr J Brown Cellardyke have created a modern furniture works out of what was once an old net factory at Cellardyke…. They cleared away 12 tons of junk including the fuselages of two ‘flying fleas’, and St Andrews Town council lent them a concrete mixer to lay the floor… 26 tons of concrete and rubble was laid by three men in four days.. They are now in full production…..present staff numbers are 10 they are set to expand and young girls are to be trained in French polishing…

1904 Dundee Courier

“Cellardyke fish hawkers ought to know better than disturb the quiet of the Ancient City. Yesterday one of their number had to answer in St Andrews Police court to the serious charge of crying ‘Caller herrin’ or some cadgers call of this nature.. The chief witness could not distinguish the words and it was annoying to his slumbers, he declared that though ‘he could sleep through the ringing of a bell he could not sleep through that noise’. The cadger was fined half a crown or three days imprisonment. The presiding magistrate pointing out how well-bred the local fish hawkers were. They went from door to door and it was not necessary to shout.”

25 Sept 1905

David Stevenson, Cellardyke, (50) Crew member of the Integrity, fell between two boats in Scarborough harbour. Artificial respiration was resorted to and he partially regained consciousness but died 5 hours later.

28 Sept 1905

Mr Williamson conducted a ceremony to open the fountain at Anstruther harbour dedicated to his father Stephen Williamson born Cellardyke 28/6/1827, who died Copley, Cheshire 1903. The Anstruther and Cellardyke town band played several inspiring airs. At a luncheon afterwards Mr Williamson donated a gold chain of office to Anstruther Easter, and cheque for £25 to Anstruther Wester and similar amount to Cellardyke to be distributed amongst the poor during the coming winter. *** ( the family generosity continues a significant donation was given to the Church and the East Neuk foodbank following the reinternment  of Stephen Williamson’s father at Kilrenny in the summer of 2015)

25 Sept 1916

William Smith, Skipper of the Cellardyke Steam Drifter, Olive Leaf received two telegrams from the front, the first stated that his son Second Lieutenant Thomas Smith (19) Royal Scots, was missing, the second telegram stated that he had been wounded in action and was in a Red Cross hospital. It was only about one month since Thomas had been sent to the front.

21 Sept 1927

Alexander Hodge , 35 Shore St Cellardyke was fined at Cupar Sherriff Court for driving ‘a motor omnibus backward in a negligent manner’

22 Sept 1927

Janet Innes, worker at the oilskin factory Cellardyke was knocked down on the Pittenweem road by a car driven by Dr Armour, Anstruther. She suffered from concussion and bruises.

21 Sept 1921

At a meeting in Cellardyke town hall, Cellardyke Fishermen sought changes in the way the winter herring was sold at Anstruther. Until then the fish was sold privately or buyers making the highest bid on the piers. Skippers Martin Gardner and Lock Horsburgh supported a motion that in future the herring should be sold through a salesman with fixed commission with buyers called by the use of a bell, this would create greater competition. A committee was formed and an agreement with the salesmen was made in the harbour office Anstruther, and steps were taken to prevent fishermen deviating from the rules.

21 Sept 1933

A unique torch lit fancy dress procession in aid of funds for the Cardinal steps bathing pond proved a great success, raising the sum of £14. Over 100 took part in the procession accompanied by Anstruther Boy Scout Pipe band. Over 200 couples attended the following fund raising Carnival dance in Cellardyke town hall. Music supplied by the Rialto Follies, Lundin Links.

19 Sept 1950

The Queen visited the East Neuk, On the quay at the Folly Provost W.W.Carstairs was presented, A bouquet was given to the Queen by Miss Chrissie Smith the Provost’s niece. The fisherwife’s shawl of Mrs Margaret Dunbar, Cellardyke, aged 71 attracted the Queen’s attention, she stopped and exchanged a few words. Fishing fleet pennants – Pride o’ Fife White Queen, Breadwinner, &c were strung from the rooftops.

1942 – 18th Sept – ‘Miss Nan Williamson, Bus conductress, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, Benavon, Toll Rd was injured yesterday. While she was directing a bus which was reversing into Messrs. Alexander’s depot in Pittenweem Road, Anstruther, her head became jammed between the rear of the bus and a car. She received wounds to her head and face and was removed to Dundee Royal Infirmary

1849 – Four cases of Cholera this week in Cellardyke, two were fatal, two were in recovery

1864 – A house fire east of the town hall -the building was severely damaged when flammable material from a nearby chimney landed on its thatched roof. The 2 story house belonged to James Fowler but only one story was left, Mrs. Jack, a widow lost all her grocery stock either by the fore or by the means of extinguishing it. and total destruction of all household effects.

1895 – John Carstairs, master of the Mizpah KY 398 gave evidence in the enquiry to the loss of George Watson (25), 8 Rodger Street, who was lost overboard when moving the block attached to the end of the fore sail, there was a squall and the wind caught the sail again and he was dragged overboard by the rope

1890 – A young boy, James Moncrieff was in court and pled guilty of stealing turnips from Kilrenny Mill farm. John Doig, fisherman Shore Street was fined 15s or 10 days imprisonment for assaulting another fisherman.

This week
1865
J Porter of The East Neuk of Fife Photographic Gallery, Cellardyke was advertising 12 Carte de Visite Portraits for 2s 8d
(there were the studio photographic portraits usually about 2inches by 3 inches)

1882
Captain Macdonald was investigating the collision between PD 556 Agnes and Janet (Skipper James Ranken) and the Venus Star KY 1588 (Peter Murray, Skipper) which resulted in the sinking of the Venus Star. The Portessie boat agreed to pay £50 to the owners of the Cellardyke boat (SEE SEPARATE COMMENT BELOW)

1883 – The new town hall at Cellardyke, a gift from Stephen Williamson MP and David Fowler natives of the town, has just been completed at a cost of £3500 , official opening to be 19th Sept.

1892
Andrew Elder, (5) of Cellardyke met his death by falling from an express train between Barry and Monifeith, he was leaning on the door when it burst open.

1901
Close of the herring season at Fraserburgh. ‘Fisher’s Friend’ KY 294 of Cellardyke was one of the top earners grossing £340.

STOP PRESS…. some bad reporting and incorrect info across two newspapers.. clarity needed on Venus Star…. Dundee Telegraph 30 Aug 1882 ‘yesterday afternoon The herring fishing boat Agnes and Janet PD 556…….. was rundown and sunk off Peterhead by the fishing boat Venus Star LH 1583 (registration port wrong) Peter Murray, Cellardyke, skipper. There was a fresh North West wind blowing, The boats had heavy shots and kept running for the South Harbour until the entrance was blocked. As soon as the tide began to ebb a rush was made round the headland for the North harbour, and, as at the time a number of boats were running for the north side from the open sea, several narrow escapes from collision were made. The Agnes and Janet was under sail from the south harbour, and was staying to take the north entrance, and was, it is averred, on the wrong tack, when the Firth boat came upon her striking her amidships and cutting her completely in halves. The crew had just time to catch the Venus star as she was running through their craft, and were thus saved and brought into the harbour. The boat which was two years old and uninsured, went down with nets and all equipment and a shot of about 40 40 crans of herrings.

The first Cellardyke Echo

1894 – Thomas Pringle (30) of Cellardyke was lost from the Onyx, Skipper Robert Meldrum

1903 – A Duleanell pipe organ is to be shortly to be installed in the Cellardyke Baptist Church

1914 – Provost Black presented Thomas Watson, cooper with a Royal Humane Society parchment for rescuing a boy, Wm Mason who was in danger of drowning at Cellardyke.

1916- Military medal was awarded to Drummer Harry Bowman of Cellardyke, serving with the Black Watch. Youngest son of fisherman Joseph Bowman, John Street who also had two other sons working on minesweepers.

1924 – Henry Gardner (62), part owner and retired Skipper of the steam drifter Acorn, died suddenly while working on a mizzen sail on the Middle pier in Anstruther.

1937 – Mr. Kelso was appointed interim headmaster of Cellardyke School, following the death of Mr. Hunter whilst on holiday at Crieff