ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM
(1843-1935), boatbuilder
Alexander Cunningham was born in Cellardyke in 1843, the son of Robert Cunningham, skipper of the fishing boat “Mariner”, and Janet Baxter.
Alexander was a mere 20 years old when he started building boats at the east end of Cellardyke in 1864 (according to the valuation rolls), and he is described in the local papers as an “innovative boatbuilder”. He pioneered the removal of rowing benches and creating a flush deck which made working these larger vessels much safer at sea. A local tradition names him as the inventor of the “Fifie”, but it is more likely that the term “Fifie” may first have been attributed to one of his vessels as the hull shape was pre-existing.
In 1874, after the death of his first wife Euphemia Fyall, Alexander went to sea, and he obtained his master mariner’s certificate in Leith in 1878.
He saved multiple lives at sea in daring rescues before emigrating to Australia in 1887, settling at North Geelong.
His achievements in Australia were many and varied. He built boats for missionaries in the virgin Northern Territories and ferried supplies to them. He became a fisherman and pilot in the Bass Strait, and obtained a certificate as Master of Passenger Ships, Australia. In 1911 he obtained his master’s certificate for German New Guinea waters, and was employed as a marine surveyor by Lloyd’s, once again leading highly dangerous but successful sea rescues.
Alexander Cunningham died in 1935 but his maritime skills were passed down to his grandson and great-grandson Charles and Lindsay Cunningham. They were prizewinning yachtsmen and the company still leads in innovative catamaran designs in Australia.
Research by Harry Watson
