Andrew Henderson (1865 – 1917)
Andrew Henderson of West Forth Street was a very successful Cellardyke fisherman. He was in high demand as a skipper when steam line fishing began in the 1890s and held the record for the largest shot of line caught white fish landed in Anstruther from the Maggie Lauder, KY 449. He also held the record grossing in the newly launched County of Fife, KY 572 in 1896.
The company-owned steam line boats had their heyday in the last decade of the 19thcentury when there was a downturn in the herring fishing. However towards the end of that decade the Cellardyke skippers preferred to work for themselves and saw their fortune change when the herring returned again.
In 1902 Andrew launched a 68ft Fifie called the Ina Cook, KY133 and in 1910 a state of the art steel steam drifter, the Cromorna, KY 73.
Long before the outbreak of World War 1 the Admiralty realised the strategic value of both the fishermen and the fishing fleet. The Royal Navy Reserve came into its own and when war broke out it provided thousands of experienced seamen who took part in all theatres of Naval Warfare.
Fishing boats were also requisitioned and provided support in many ways, the trawlers provided convoy support and mine sweeping duties. The drifters laid anti-submarine nets, kept the Grand Fleet provisioned and provided multiple guarding duties as well as other vital services.
The Cromorna was requisitioned and spent much of the war working out of Milford Haven but also travelled as far as Constantinople.
Andrew did not go with his boat to assist the war effort but kept fishing. He hired a 40ft motor yawl from Eyemouth called the Janes, BK 340 and worked the herring. At this time when food was scarce many fishermen who remained working earned a very good living.
Andrew commissioned a new boat from Weatherhead’s. He and his sons Andrew and Alexander, along with crew members James Wilson and Thomas Boyter were at the drift net on their last trip. In their old boat, just off St Abb’s Head, on the 14th August 1917 they hauled in a mine. This had been laid by the U boat, UC42 only a few days before.
They were informing the commander of the guard ship when the mine blew up killing all the crew.
This was Cellardyke’s biggest single loss during WW1, when 5 men, three of the same family were lost in one incident.
Andrew Henderson (53) Skipper
Alexander Henderson (29) Engine Driver
Andrew Henderson (27) Boat hand
James Wilson (51) First hand
Thomas Boyter (55) Second hand
The UC42 was lost off Dublin less than a month later