1854
– The fishermen of Cellardyke have taken shares in the East of Fife railway to the value of £800
- On Tuesday last the following persons were tried before Sherriff Monteith :-
- Agnes Tarvit, Cellardyke, for assault, aggravated by a previous conviction pleaded guilty , and received a sentence of four months imprisonment.
1862
– a follow up from last week’s post it seems that Cellardyke boats were not involved in trawling in St Andrews bay, line fishing was the main method of fishing
…… It is true that when this mode of fishing was introduced about 14 years ago by a fisherman from Rothesay, who practised it successfully in the ‘traith’ several Cellardyke fishermen were first to adopt in this locality what then seemed to be a profitable and legitimate system. Experience soon showed their error and several years since it was voluntarily discontinued, and the whole of their trawling apparatus sold.
1866
David Mayes , porter at Anstruther harbours normal duties were manning a small coble to take out the ropes from the steamer ‘Forth’ when she turned in Anstruther harbour, the steamer being late and a westerly gale blowing he sought help of Cellardyke fisherman John Brown, the steamer struck and sunk the coble on entering the harbour, Brown managed to hang on the stern of the Forth for a hundred yards, but due to the storm none of the crew heard the accident. Brown was rescued in another small boat and was able to walk home but Mayes’ body was not discovered for another 4 hours, with the exception of a slight blemish above the eye the body showed no signs of the violent death, He left a widow and two children.
1867
William Muir, Fisherman Cellardyke, pleaded guilty to having on 26th October committed assault on David Wilson, a publican, for which he was sentenced to pay a 20s fine or suffer fourteen days imprisonment.
1869
The reports of the herring fishing on the Clyde are now very encouraging and several Cellardyke boats seem to have fairly participated in it. From Yarmouth the accounts are very satisfactory and some of the Cellardyke boats have already grossed from £150 to £200 and on some nights the fishing was so heavy that our crews had up to 12 crans.
1872
Fishing boat damaged – On Wednesday morning the fishing yawl Agnes of Cellardyke belonging to Skipper Alexander Jack was found to have been almost crushed to pieces by having rested beneath some of the large deep sea going boats which had shifted during the violent gale which had prevailed over the night. The unfortunate owner is of the opinion that she will not repair and the mishap is the more to be regretted that it threatens to deprive six men of what is almost to them a breadwinner.
1873
Division in the Kilrenny School board… The School board are unanimous for erecting a Central School for the rural district and thriving town of Cellardyke with her 510 children, but a difference of opinion has arised as to the site. The Rev Christie, Mr Oliphant and Mr Gray of Rennie hill advocate the west corner of the Windmill Rd, The majority however propose to erect the building at a point near the Toll bar. The Rev Christie speaking for the minority, protested that this would not be a Central School for the district and would make a protest to the Board of Education. A compromise could be siting the school not at the end of the Windmill Rd but at or near the ridge!
1888
Death of a fife heroine – Another sleeper was laid in the beautiful churchyard of Kilrenny, in the silver haired widow of Cellardyke, Mrs Elizabeth Henderson or Wilson verging on if not over 90 years of age. She belonged to Burntisland but when her father was lost off Kinghorn pier she came to stay with Cellardyke relatives over 80 years ago. Her husband was a Dunino crofter who became a fisherman but died at a young age.. Elizabeth supported her family by trudging for years from farm to farm in rain or shine with her back creel on to supply eggs and butter or carrying the post. During the Cholera epidemic of 1849 she followed Dr Black and assisted the dying and the dead when relatives had fled the spot. She also treated sprains &c, and there was a touch of healing in her kind tongue which brought relief when the case had defied the most skilful and accomplished scientist. Mrs Wilson was the mother of seven, sadly outliving some of her children but had twenty four grandchildren and fifty one great grandchildren.
1900
It would appear that Downings bay on the Donegal coast, has advanced to the important position of being regarded as the centre of the principal herring fishery in Ireland. The operating fleet comprises about 34 large boats… three are local and three come from Cellardyke, the rest are the property of the Congested District Board. The Cellardyke Fishermen first introduced this class of boat into the bay. Alexander Pratt and William Watson brought their own boats to Downings six years ago and have fished there each year steadily since and both have no cause to regret coming as they have done well. Owning to the scarcity of herring on the Scotch coats process at Downing have been high …on several occasions reaching 36s
1915
Excellent results were obtained by five Cellardyke drifters last week at Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Rothesay Bay £457, Alnwick castle £405, St Adrian £333, East Neuk £270 and the Edith £195.
1930
A project is afoot to bring miniature golf to Anstruther and Cellardyke, Improvements committee are believed to be considering the laying down of a course to help the finances of the organisation. The Cellardyke town hall would be the venue for the new course.
1931 Dairy Business for sale, Cellardyke. – Shop, 38 Rodger St with 5 apartment dwelling house above, and byre and stable and Cart Shed, &c in connection therewith, Assessed rental £24, feu duty £1 2s. There will be included in the sale the Dry-Dairy Business and Milk round carried on by the late James D Dow….
1939
A 20 year old servant girl Miss Isabella Watson daughter of David Watson, 30 Fowler St, Cellardyke, has died from electric shock. She was in service with Mrs Mackintosh wife of Hugh C Mackintosh, solicitor and town clerk of Pittenweem and St Monans at their residence in Chesterhill, Anstruther. The girl was preparing for supper and Mrs Macintosh found her lying on the floor with an electric lamp in one hand and a radiator in the other. When she bent down beside the girl Mrs Macintosh sustained a shock.
She called Mr Macintosh who…?.. the radiator aside and telephoned the doctor. Dr J J Wilson and Dr Mackay attempted artificial respiration for two and a half hours and also administered injections to the heart but the girl failed to revive