Alexander Cunningham
| Robert Cunningham (Baxter Bob) | Married 1840 | Janet Baxter | ||||||
| Janet 1841 | ALEXANDER 1843 – 1935 | David 1846 | Agnes 1847 -1851 | Helen 1850 | Robert 1851 | John 1854 | Christian 1859 | Ann 1860 |
Alexander Cunningham was born 3rd May, 1843 in Cellardyke, son of Fisherman “Baxter Bob” – Robert Cunningham and Janet Baxter.
There is no doubt Alexander was an influentuial and innovative boatbuilder and a remarkable character. It has been suggested that Alexander Cunningham built the first Fifie, however, boats, recorded in the 1849 Washington Report from Newhaven and Peterhead were definitely on the lines of Fifies. It may be that his standard vessel with the flush deck (see 1867) may have been the first vessel called a “Fifie”, but he was not in anyway building hull shapes that varied from standard Cellardyke/ East Neuk boats of the time. This myth was reported by Pete Smith, maths teacher in the Waid and fishing history author. He had claimed that he had heard this from his aunt who certainly would have known Alex’s reputation as a master boatbuilder. Peter’s father Poetry Peter was the youngest of six born in 1874 just about the time Alex gave up the yard in Cellardyke.
In the 1861 census the 17 year old Alexander is an apprentice boatbuilder living in the East End of Cellardyke. An article in 1900 states that Alexander served his time with John Miller’s of St Monans. In that same year he gifts a model boat of a “Dutchman” to a fund raising Bazar to liquidate the debt of the New Free Church Hall in Cellardyke at the top of the Braehead. – Others who donated models, boatbuilder Christopher Pottinger of Anstruther, ( a screw srteamer) and Messrs Sharp and Murray of Cellardyke (fully rigged models of the tea clippers ‘Helen Rodger’ and ‘Min’)
1864/65 – Alexander Cunningham takes over the boat-building yard of William Lawson at the East end of Cellardyke. He rents the land from Robert Christie and co exists in the larger park or field with boat builder William Jack. ( Information from Harry Watson)
1866 – The First newspaper report of Alexander Cuniungham building a vessel, 47ft x 17ft x 7ft 6 – Fully decked
1867 – March, Cunningham is the first to introduce a flush deck to the East of Fife fishing vessels. This he did by constructing what is now know as the beamshelf (“she is encircled with strong girder or plank, two strakes below the other which supports the thwarts or beams” Dundee Courier 25th March 1867). This beamshelf supports the deck beams, strenthened by knees – negating the need for the thwarts that are seen in the picture opposite. The vessel, Solace KY86, was built for Alex’s father, ‘Baxter Bob’, which he worked until selling it in 1881.
( Solace and Jessies survive the 1875 “Beautiful Star” disaster when three St Monans boats and two Cellardyke boats were lost on their way back from Lowestoft. – On the Friday night many of the boats were lying at anchor under the Fern Islands and among those in company were those of Skippers James Brunton and Robert Cunningham (Baxter.) Knowing that the friends at home would be troubled at their long absence, Brunton hit upon the plan of writing the following message on a piece of paper November 20, 1875.—1 commit to the deep, in the hope of some kind friend finding this, for the sake of friends at home, that the Jessie and the Solace, of Cellardyke, is riding under the Fairnsland. Please mention name and they will remit the money. Address James Brunton, Cellardyke.’ This he put into a bottle, which was tightly corked and tied to a bladder, and thereafter thrown into the sea in the hope that it would be found and that the news of their safety might be transmitted to their relations. As it happened, both Brunton and Cunningham succeeded in reaching the harbour on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday the former had a telegram stating the substance of the message he had put into the sea, the bottle having been picked up among the rocks at Tynemouth on Sunday.)
1867 – November, the boatbuilding yard “lately Occupied by Alexander Cunningham” is up for lease, with applicants to contact his father. There is no evidence why this was the case – perhaps orders dried up, however Cunningham keeps building vessels.
1869 – Alexander Cunningham marries Euphemia Fyall (1847-1874) of St Monans
1870 – February – it is reported that Alex is on the cusp of winning another boat order – Their son Robert is born in November- and in several reports Alex is reported as the first to introduce the flush deck now standard design amongst new build first class vessels.
1871 – Census Alex is registered as a boat builder employing one man
1872 – Alex buys the wreck of a schooner ‘Maori’ of Montrose, ashore bewteen Fifeness and Crail for £5. Also builds a 44ft x 16ft x7ft fishing vessel designed to be the most profitable size to fish all year round and also make the trip to the Yarmouth and Lowestoft winter herring fishing.
1874 – Alex’s wife Euphemia dies leaving him to look after their 3 year old son- two previous children had died in their infancy. – Alex goes to sea, it is not known initially if this is to the fishing or deep sea merchant, his son, Robert, is initially looked after by his father then by a sister
1875/6 – The boatyard is let again and returns to being classed as garden ground
1878 – Alex Gains his masters certificate at Leith. Later that year he is in charge of a montrose steamer the Clan Alpine that has to run ashore at Crail with significant damage. Later that year he leads a daring rescue with Anstruther Lifeboat of the Dryad of Glasgow, a steamer ashore off Cellardyke, four crew members were rescued.
1879 – Pittenweem fishing boat, Summer Cloud, was driven ashore at Caplie near Crail. One of the crew, William Watson, swam ashore with a rope enabling the other six members of the crew to get ashore safely. Soaked through and exhausted they walked to Cellardyke.
Alex Cunninghham, the next day, arranged some labour and completed what was thought to be an impossible task, they managed to get the boat lifted off the rocks and onto the grass. He then took on the the job of repairing the vessel, a new keel and several planks. On completion he organsised horses to drag the vessel along the shore to the safest launching place between the rocks, and for the sum of £50 he had got the vessel back to sea. He was congratulated in saving the fishing family’s livelihod.
In September 1879, Alex jumps into Cellardyke harbour to rescue the 7 year old son of James Watson (Coull) from drowning.
Later that month he pilots a volunteer fishing boat ( Skipper James Murray) out to rescue a trading smack that had signalled distress, taking in water between the Isle of May and the mainland. Steamers had been unable to help due to the conditions. Alex toiok the fishing vessel alongside, close reefed, and jumped abord the “Trader” of Buckie with rope and chain which enabled them to take the stricken vessel under tow.
He gains his Deep Sea Pilot’s certification from Trinity House the same month.
1880 – Once again Alexander Cunningham is building vessels, he gets an order for a 53ft vessel, but to be ketch rigged unlike the usual lug rig of the loca fleet
1881 – He is exhibiting along with other boatbuilders of the area at the National Fisheries Exhibition in Norwich, and wins a silver medal for his model of a screw steam fishing vessel.
We have had the pleasure of inspecting a miniature steam fisher, the work of our ingenious townsman Mr Alexander Cunningham. For practical purposes, this is the best solution that has yet been furnished of the great industrial problem. The model is that of a first class fishing craft three and fifty feet long. Here you see the ‘wedge lines and apple side’ which makes the boats of Fifeshire the witches of the sea. The said and general outfit are also reproduced to the last detail, but in addition to these and the salient features of the design, is the steam propeller so situated as neither to interfere with the stowage nor condition of the fish. Mr Cunningham has done this by placing his engine not amidships but in the stern sheets or after part of the vessel, as in the case of the steam lighters which now monopolise as a matter of course the trade of the Forth. The machinery is at once light and compact, with so little complication in its details that its working might be reasonably left to the skipper or his mate, or, in other words, and auxiliary screw could be fitted tomorrow to every first class fishing craft of the coast. We have only to reflect for a moment on the boat loads of herrings that are year by year lost by reason of calms or contrary winds to see the untold economic value of such an improvement, and we trust that the masterly application of theory and practice by this talented builder will not miss its deserved reward. – Fife Herald
This model is a traditional of a 53ft Fifie style with steam engine fitted based on the vessel Alex Cunningham is building for a St Andrews Skipper at the Golden Strand ( The beach at the east most end of Cellardyke. he states the cost of the vessel would be £300 with an extra £150 to have the steam engine fitted.
Another rescue attmept happend in a storm in March of 1881 when the brigantine Olivier of Ymuiden was in trouble off Fifeness, rather than struggle through the sea conditions further endangering the crew, Anstruther’s lifeboat, Admiral Fitzroy was taken to Crail on it’s horse drawn carriage, fresh horses were added at several of the farms along the road. – Previous to the arrival of the boat, however, two Crail fishermen, named Black, had reached the ground, and, seizing the salmon cable lying at Craighead, they at once put off to the vessel, which lay some distance from the shore. They found it abandoned, and in a sinking state, and therefore returned. The lifeboat was then launched, and her crew–consisting of Martin Gardner (Coxswain), Alex. Cunningham (deep-sea pilot), Alex. Watson (Isle of May boatman), William Tarvit, James Pratt, David Doig, David Watson, David Carstairs, Alex. Thomson, Alex. Ritchie, Alex. Brown, John Murray, and John Wallace- having taken their places, rowed out to the vessel, which they found completely deserted. – East of Fife Record – The crew had left on their small boat and had accidentally headed south away from the land and safety in tempestuous seas. They came across a St Monans fishing boat shooting his nets he directed them to Anstruther however as he was relatively stationary all nine of them scrambled exhausted onto his vessel and refused to leave. He hauled his nets again and brought them ashore.
May 1881, Alex Cunningham launches “Our Queen” for Skipper James Black of St Andrews. Cunningham’s award winning model was based on the hull of this vessel. 53ft x 17ft Her cabin is designed with a special eye to the comfort and convenience of the crew, who, instead of cooking and sleeping in the same dingy cockpit are as snugly berthed as in any ocean liner. The sailing rig was a fore and aft smack rig with flying topsail, and the vessel was built with a safety rail. These improvements were an attempt to make the vessel much safer for the crew, as had been discussed in many non fishing circles for years tor prevent the terrible disaters that occurred. Our Queen had a lighter foremast with an ingenious way of lowering it when lying to the nets. With this rig it removed the dangerous practice of bringing the huge lugsail down the foremast and raise it the other side to tack, (many fishermen were lost by being knocked overboard during this process. ) and a raised safety rail should also have protected the crew further.
July 1881 Cunningham exhibits the award winning model at a the Baptist Church Sabbath School exhibition of Floral and Industrial work from the area. the model goes on tour and is shown in Fraserburgh at the Mid Street Academy in December, and is viewed by “a large number of fishermen and town’s people” – Aberdeen Observer
December It’s reported that Alexander Cunningham leave for Otago, New Zealend
Mr Alexander Cunningham – sailed the other week for the Scottish Settlement of Otago, in New Zealand. A sea fishery, of much promise, is carried out in Port Chalmers, chiefly under the superintendence of an old son of Maggie Lauder, Mr William Innes, Fish Merchant. There are several Cellardyke and other trained fishermen in his employment. Fishing gear of all kinds is obtained to order from Scotland, but, notwithstanding every effort, it has been found impossible to provide suitable vessels, but this interesting task could not be entrusted to better hands than our ingenious townsman, Mr Cunningham, who will grapple with it on the spot. The Seas of New Zealand, we may observe, teem with fish, but there, as elsewhere, the harvest is not to be gathered unless with a thorough equipment – the chief of which would seem to be a class of hardy smacks of a somewhat larger and stronger build than the boats of the East of Fife. – FIfe News
1882-1885 – there is no information in the papers about Cunningham and his experiment of living in New Zealand
1885 – He has returned home and performs another amazing rescue as he dives into the water and swims out to a stranded vessel – and a list of other adventures
2nd January
Exciting Scene near Crail harbour – Galant Conduct by an Anstruther Captain – As the deep sea fishing boat “Alice,” of Cellardyke, John Bett, skipper, was returning home from the fishing grounds on Saturday morning, and owing to the strong current and dense fog which prevailed, she suddenly struck and stuck fast on the Pans Rocks, about half a-mile west of Crail harbour. The skipper and crew imagined that they were in the vicinity of the May Island, and had gone ashore on the South Ness of the Island. Skipper Bett advised his men to prepare for the worse, and stated that unless help came to them soon the boat would be lost and their lives as well. Loud cries of danger were then raised by the crew, but no response was heard for a considerable time. At this time Captain Alex. Cunningham. Trinity deep sea pilot, was standing on Crail pier. Hearing the sounds of distress he ran in the direction they proceeded from, and conjecturing that a vessel had come ashore on the Pans Rocks, on reaching the spot he at once divested himself of part of his clothing and plunged into the cold wintry sea. Fortunately he had just time to come near to the boat, when he saw the perilous position in which the crew were placed, and gave orders to them, which were immediately obeyed – the result being that the boat in a short time launched over the into the inside haven, and thus into a position of safety. But for Captain Cunningham’s timely appearance on the scene the crew and boat would in all likelihood have been lost, as the tide was fast ebbing, and there would have been a disastrous capsize. Captain Cunningham, who is an excellent seaman and noted swimmer, is one of the crews of the lifeboats stationed at Anstruther, Crail, and Boarhills, and has been instrumental in saving many lives. He is an escape from the S.S. “Stamfordham,” which foundered in the Atlantic some years ago, when all hands on board perished, and is a survivor of the dreadful disaster of the two ill-fated ships “Ethel” and ” Agamemnon,” which collided, and were lost in the quick-sands in East Indies some time ago. Captain Cunningham was specially commended for his brave conduct on that occasion by one of the captains. On the coast of Australia about a twelvemonth ago by his presence of mind, Cunningham was the means of relieving one of the engineers of the S.S. Indus, who was dreadfully scalded by an explosion, by quickly stripping him of his clothes. – East of Fife Record.
On the 27th Jan he is tured down as the caretaker for Crail Lifeboat, in favour of Nicholas Rob
1887 -Alexander emigrates to Australia with his son Robert, and amongst other things he works as a fisherman, Master of passenger ships and boat-builder (building fishing vessels and boats for missionaries), he is also a marine surveyor for Lloyds, his fishing boat building is located at Geelong. He had made several trips to Australia prior to his emigration. When in Australia he marries for a second time.
| ALEXANDER 1843 – 1935 | 2nd marriage | Emma Rowles 1864 – 1954 born Victoria Aus | |||||
| Harold | Alexander | Margaret 1876 | Robert A Cunningham 1877 | Davina Cunningham 1887 | David Cunningham 1890-1981 | Phoebe Cunningham 1903 -1992 | Gilbert Cunningham 1908 – 2001 |
1892 -Alexander based in North Geelong, Australia, launches a new cutter-rigged craft based on the model of Cellardyke fishing boats. J Pratt, ex Cellardyke, is recorded as the skipper.
The cutter was built at Geelong by Mr A Cunningham, late of Anstruther, for the Ice and Refrigerating Company there. The hull is double ended and clinker built, and, is very much after the style of the herring boats and fishing boats on the north- east coast of Scotland. The frame is of redgum, with kauri pine planking and decks. The length of the cutter is 46 ft. 6 in. on the keel, and the beam is 15 ft. ; the depth of bold is 7 ft. She will register about 25 tons. There is a tank or well 15 ft. in length, for the preservation of fish alive. The craft is intended for fishing on the coast, and will be sailed by Captain J. Pratt, also late of Anstruther, who has had some experience in coast fishing. The craft has been well and faithfully built, and it is to be hoped the enterprising owners will meet with the success which their venture merits. Both builder and captain are natives of Cellardyke. Captain Pratt has been asked by the Geelong College to send them all curios he may get in his fishing. – East of Fife Record reporting from Australian papers
1894 7 September
The Fishing Industry in South Australia
The following paragraph is taken from a Geelong newspaper, of the end of June last. The Captain mentioned is Mr Cunningham, late of Cellardyke: ‘ The deep sea fishing cutter “ Scotsman” arrived early yesterday at North Geelong front a hard and deep sea fishing trip having experienced some very severe weather during the cruise The ‘ Scotsman’ proved a splendid sea boat in the trying weather in the Straits. Captain Cunningham reports strong easterly and north-westerly in the south west entrance of the ….. Straits, trails. In his opinion the deep sea fish strike to deep water according to storms and season.. For the information of those interested the Captain states that deep sea fishing crafts should be about 30 tons reg. and able to keep the sea in all weathers, the special qualifications required being speed, adaptability and worthiness, for which the Captain holds the prize medal of Norwich exhibition 1881. The fishermen engaged in the trade should moreover be trained to this hazardous work when very young. Victoria waters furnish large scope for deep sea fishing, but he believes that if the Government would be at the expense of building suitable deep sea boats and entrust these to experienced captains, coat of construction to be repaid without interest, and encourage the colonial youth to become apprentices, the deep sea fishing industry would be very soon on a sound footing. – East of Fife Record reporting from Australian Newspapers
1900 Alexander builds and Masters a Mission ship the ‘Earl of Hopeton’ Robert lived next door to his father until his marriage and then moved next door.
The following has been sent to us from Australia:—The Bass Straits Holiness Mission ship is the ‘Earl of Hopetoun,’ whose builder, owner and Captain, is Alexander Cunningham, eldest son of the late Robert Cunningham (Baxter), deep sea fisherman, Cellardyke, and grandson of the late Alexander Cunningham, Trinity House. (Kings branch), pilot , Cellardyke. Captain Alex. Cunningham had high training in mechanical skill by the late John Millar, St Monans. He holds the Trinity House, (Kings Branch) pilot, and Board of Trade Masters Certificates, and has a Captain’s Commission, from the American Holiness Mission Union Headquarters, Cincinnati, Ohio. His Holiness course of two years was given him by the evangelist, Mr James Auld, an Edinburgh gentleman, and belonging to the American Holiness Union. The Captain’s mission with his vessel is to carry the tidings of great joy to those that are afar off on the remote Islands, of the Southern seas, in giving the Holiness paper ‘Revivalist and other American Holiness books, booklets awl papers, to all people that is possible to be reached.
1903 -WRECK IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS.
The Daily Telegraph of Launceston, of 27th November last, has the following report of the ketch, belonging Skipper Alexander Cunningham, late of Cellardyke: – Further particulars are to hand regarding the wreck of the deep sea fishing ketch, Marquis of Linlithgow. While at anchor under lee of the west side of Sea Elephant Rock, in shelter from a N.E. gale, the wind changed suddenly round to W. and S.W. with hurricane force, which caused the vessel to drag her three anchors. Captain Cunningham paid as much chain as he could safely do without striking the rocks, but the little vessel was doomed to destruction. The captain ordered his crew dress in their cork jackets, when the boat struck heavily on the rocks, the rudder being swept away, and the dinghy gutted. He dragged the dinghy by the painter from off the ricks, and told his mate, Alex. Belpereud, get into her with a pail and bale some of the water out; when another large wave came and filled her again. The mate was then told to stand back, and the captain dropped the dinghy astern on the rocks, and gave Belpereud a chance for his life, the other man, Anderson, being treated in the same way, leaving only Cunningham on board, at the risk of his life, who, thoughtful of his men, tried to send provisions and fresh water from the vessel the shore by means small lines, but they carried away, and these necessities: were lost. The men at this time were anxious that he should get ashore, and after making all preparations he floated safely ashore on his back. They were on the rock without any provisions or fresh water, two miles and a half from the mainland of King Island for three days, where they spent their time in suspense until the weather moderated. Then the captain repaired the dinghy, and they left the rock for the mainland. There they encountered hard travel for three days, and when they arrived at Cape Wickham were footsore and ragged. They were taken in by Mr Geo. Johnson, the superintendent. After a stay of five days at Cape Wickham they were sent to Superintendent Huxley, at Currie Harbour, where a Marine Court of Inquiry was held by the Chief Magistrates, Mr Huxley, and Captain Davis, of the Yambacoona, who gave the captain a clean sheet, and complimented him on his humane conduct in risking his life for the safety of his men. Captain Cunningham was master and builder of the Marquis of Linlithgow, which cost £560, and was not insured.
1910 – Cunningham builds a vessel thought to be similar to the Scottish Fifie at Rippleside on the shores of Corio Bay around 1910, the vessel later operated out of Western Port Bay.
1913 – 28th August
The following extract has been sent to us of a Torres Straight (Australia) paper of 14th June last. It refers to a gallant rescue of the Captain of a war vessel and a sailor and boat by Captain Alexander Cunningham of Cellardyke – On Saturday evening of June 7th about 6 o’clock, a new sailing dinghy from the destroyer “Parramatta” was being tried in Normandy Sound, not far from Brisbane Rock, the captain and another being in her. There was a heavy southerly wind blowing at the time, the tide running strongly to windward, and a sudden gust struck the boat and swamped her. The trouble was observed by young Davie McKee who ran to give the alarm to the Wireless Station people, but one of Mrs Woodhead’s boys ran to Captain Cunningham who was on the beach and told him of it. The old Trinity House (King branch) pilot., who, by the way, has passed his 70th birthday, (and who Is proud to say that he has never smoked a pipe full a tobacco, or drunk a glass of whisky in his life), looked out and saw what had happened, the boat capsized and the men in the water, with the aid of one of the boys and Mr Smellie of the radio station, Captain Cunningham launched his boat off and went off to the men calling out to them to keep up their courage. ” What about the sharks ‘ called out one of the men in the water.” “Keep kicking” replied Cunningham. The result was that the men and their boat was safely brought ashore. This is the fortieth occasion in which Captain Cunningham has taken part in rescue work. The Captain has had a few hard hits himself, he being the hero of the Rip at Port Phillip Head, in the severe storm that the S.S. Alert foundered with all hands save one man. When he brought the cutter “Scotsman” through in the middle of the ebb tide, his whole crew being his eldest son Robert, when there was only one chance out of thousand to get in. John Doig Carstairs, Cellardyke, was one of the crew of the pilot schooner that picked up the floating dead bodies of the S.S. “Alert” next day
1935 – Alexander Cunningham dies at the age of 92
Alexander’s son Robert by his first marriage had four children. The eldest was Charles, famous yachtsman and catamaran designer who produced Quest 111 to win the little Americas cup in 1970 and 1972
Charles’ son Lindsay designed the Victoria 150 which won the cup in 1985 and was judged Australian yachtsman of the year in 1986.
Alexander’s second marriage produced eight children. Gilbert, the youngest died in 2002 at 94 years old in Rosalie nursing home in Geelong. Another son George was a Master Mariner and later tugboat master in Melbourne. David his brother and his son David George were both Tugboat masters in Melbourne and Geelong.
Two of Gilbert’s grandsons, Ronald and Ross, both served in the Royal Australian Navy and two of Ronald’s sons Neville and Robert also served in the RAN. Another of Gilbert’s great grandsons Roger Rigby served as a Warrant Officer in the RAN for more than 25 years stationed in Sydney.
Further info
Lindsay Cunningham, Charles’ son, of Melbourne is a successful designer of International C Class catamarans, a highly innovative multi-hull racing class that use a wing rig instead of a conventional sail plan. Cunningham reasoned that while the planing sailboard was an ideal hull form, a fixed wing would be a more efficient sail plan for the pursuit of speed records. MISS NYLEX (HV000071) is an Australian C-Class catamaran that pioneered wing-sail technology. Designed by Roy Martin, MISS NYLEX won the 1974 Little America’s Cup for C-class cats and held an early Australian sailing speed record of 24 knots. Cunningham later designed other Australian C Class catamarans with wing sails that were also winners and defenders of the Cup.
In pursuit of the world sailing speed record, Cunningham’s unique design concept was to create a three-point proa configuration with two sailboard-inspired planing surfaces to leeward of the rig, balanced on the windward side by the crew in a pod-type hull. This lifted clear of the water once the craft was underway. The two sailboard type hulls are located fore and aft and a short span to leeward of the solid wing sail, with the crew weight applying its force about a longer span to windward to balance the huge sail power being generated. Linsays has also been involved with the design of 50 knot sailing vessels
Vessels known to have been built by Alexander Cunningham
- 1866 – 47ft x 17ft x 6ft – decked fishing vessel
- 1867 – “Solace” KY86 for ‘Baxter’ Bob , Robert Cunningham (Alex’s father) the first vessel with a flush deck in the East of Fife
- 1870 – Feb – order placed no confirmation of build
- 1872 – March – a yawl for Crab and Salmon Fishing
- 1872 – June – 44ft x 16ft x 7ft – fishing vessel costing about £2 10s per foot
- 1881 – May- 53ft x 17ft fishing vessel, “Our Queen” ketch rigged. For James Black of St Andrews
- 1892 – 46ft 6 x 15ft x 7ft – Cutter rigger fishing vessel “Earl of Hopeton” at Geelong, Australia, based on Cellardyke fishing vessels skippered by John Pratt of Cellardyke
- 1903 – Vessel wrecked, build date unknown ” Marquis of Linlithgow” cost £560 to build
- 1910 – A fishing vessel based on Fifie design, built on the shores of Corio Bay, Australia, the vessel later fished from Western Port Bay.