1921
The sad intelligence of the death by drowning of Mr William Smith, Cellardyke, at Hartlepool was received in Anstruther yesterday. Mr Smith was the only son of Mr James Smith (Ritchie), Burnside Terrace, Cellardyke, and was employed as fireman in the steam drifter Scot, belonging to Anstruther. Particulars of the fatality are at present very vague, merely giving the fact of the drowning accident, but it is added that the body has been recovered.
Rev. James A. Paterson, Anstruther Wester, who is the only minister at present resident in the burgh—the others being on holiday—made the sad news known to deceased’s parents. Deceased was in his 21st year. Dundee Courier – Tuesday 23 August 1921
1922
Explosion at Sea – According to information received at his home in Cellardyke, Mr John Brown , third engineer on the Leith Steamer Omega, has been killed while crossing the Atlantic through a vavle bursting in the engine room. – Hinckley Echo – Friday 29 September 1922
1923
SWEPT OVERBOARD AND DROWNED. Cellardyke Victim of Storm. During the stormy weather which raged in the North Sea on Saturday morning George Jack, fisherman, member of tho crew of the steam drifter Breadwinner (KY 253), fell overboard and was lost. Tho occurence was reported by the skipper on the arrival of the vessel at Anstruther on Saturday. The Breadwinner left North Shields for home on Friday evening, and when approaching St Abbs Head, about 12.30 a.m., very stormy weather was encountered. A heavy sea caught the vessel, and Jack, who was on deck, clutched a lifebuoy to save himself. Unfortunately, the lifebuoy came away in his hand, and in the next plunge the drifter made Jack was thrown into the raging seas. Endeavours by the skipper to locate the man was impossible owing to the darkness, and after cruising about in vicinity for a time the vessel was headed for home, and arrived at Anstruther about 5 a.m. Deceased, who was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs W. Jack (Doig), Burnside Place, Cellardyke, was 36 years age, and leaves a widow and three young children to mourn his loss. Dundee Courier – Monday 23 April 1923
1924
FOUND DROWNED AT YARMOUTH. CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN INTERRED. The remains of the late George Corstorphine, fisherman, 57 George Street, Cellardyke, were laid to rest in Kilrenny Churchyard yesterday afternoon. Corstorphine, who was employed on the steam drifter Mace, went amissing at Yarmouth on 27th September, and his body was recovered from the river a week later. At the inquest the Coroner returned verdict of ” found drowned.” Over one hundred mourners attended the funeral, Rev. J. R. Lee, minister of Cellardyke Parish Church, officiating. – Dundee Courier 9th October 1924
1934
CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN LOST AT SEA – FALLS OVERBOARD OFF MAY ISLAND – COMPANIONS HEAR CRY AND SEE HIM DISAPPEAR – VAIN SEARCH FOR OVER TWO HOURS A fisherman, Thomas Anderson (27), 7 Dove Street, Cellardyke, a member of the crew of the fishing bauldie, Just Reward, lost his life when he fell overboard last night when the boat was about 1 1/2 miles from the May Island. The crew were engaged in working their gear about 2.30 this morning, when cries were heard, and was discovered that Anderson was missing. His head was seen to appear some distance from the boat, but while the crew prepared to effect rescue he disappeared. Two-and-a-half hours’ search – The vessel cruised around for 2 1/2 hours without seeing any trace of the unfortunate man. The skipper of the bauldie, Mr David Corstorphine, 30 George Street, Cellardyke. said no one saw Anderson fall overboard. The sea was not particularly rough, certainly not rough enough to wash him overboard. He appeared to have been running aft at the time, and the only explanation is that he overbalanced and fell overboard Anderson was very popular in the community, over which his tragic death has cast deep gloom. He was unmarried. Dundee Evening Telegraph – Wednesday 07 February 1934
WALKED OVER EDGE OF QUAY TWO OF DRIFTERS CREW DROWNED, A desperate effort to save two men who had walked over the edge of the quay at Fraserburgh. Aberdeenshire, early to-day, failed and both lost their lives. They were Charles Anderson, a fisherman, and Robert Hodge, ship’s cook, both employed on the steam drifter Mace. Last night they went into the town and it was when they were returning to their boat that they walked over the quay side. They shouted for help and Gilbert Duthie. the harbour watchman, saw a man struggling in the water and flung a lifebelt. The man made no effort to reach it however and a boat was launched. There was no sign of the men. so grappling irons were secured and Andersons body was recovered. The search was renewed for Hodge and his body was eventually found at the same spot. Both men were about 50 years of age. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail – Saturday 18 August 1934 Nb Charles Anderson had served in WW1 – It is a tragedy that someone who fought and served his country should die in such an accident
1936
…..The discovery of wreckage at Norwick, on the Island of Unst, in the Shetlands, the previous day, gave rise to fears that the trawler, May Island, of Newhaven, Edinburgh, had been wrecked. The May Island (195 tons) left last Friday for the fishing grounds north of the Shetlands, carrying a crew of ten. Wreckage found included a lifebelt, a ship’s lifeboat, a wireless set, and a large quantity of fish boxes. Some of it was marked “May Island, LH, 194.” Nottingham Evening Post – Thursday 20 February 1936
LEITH TRAWLER’S FATE -No News of Crew of May Island
No definite news as to the fate of the Leith trawler May Island and the crew of ten men has yet been received by the owners of the vessel, Messrs Thos. H. Scales & Son. Newhaven. It is feared the trawler has been wrecked off Shetland during a gale. The owners were in communication yesterday afternoon with the Inspector of the Coastguard at Unst, and he stated that two masts’ , believed to be those of the trawler, had been seen near Norwick, but that owing to the south-westerly gale it was impossible to get near the spot to investigate. There was no word regarding the crew .
As reported in The Scotsman yesterday a considerable quantity of- wreckage, bearing the name and registration indices “May Island, LH 194.” was driven ashore at Norwick at the north-eastern end of the Island of Unst, Shetland.
THE CREW the following are the members of the crew: —
James Tarvit (31). Single. 22 Fowler Street Cellardyke. Master:
John Tarvit (39), James Tarvit’s brother 8 Fowler Street, Cellardyke, mate:
David Birrell (31). 42 West Forth Street Cellardyke. Fisherman:
David Young, Jun. (27), Bracklinn, Station Road, St Monance , deck-hand:
John Blaikie (28). Married. 9 Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie, deck-hand:
Graham Alexander (39), married. 12 Winton Park. Cockenzie. Second engineer;
Scott W. Herd (26), 5 Bowling Green Street, Leith, fireman:
James Herd (married), engineer. 47 Albany Street, Leith .. brother of Scott W. Herd:
D. Auchinleck (41), 29 Admiralty Street, Leith, trimmer: and
R . J. Searle (42) , married, 12 Perth Street, Edinburgh, cook,
Scott W , Herd, a young married man has no family. His brother, James Herd, engineer on the missing vessel, is married, and has two children, a boy of eleven years and a baby of six months. Mr James Herd took the place of another brother. Mr Alexander Herd, who was unable to sail on the May Island owing to illness. The brothers have been engaged in seafaring work for many years. The Scotsman – Thursday 20 February 1936
LOSS OF LEITH TRAWLER – Story of Last S.O.S. from Doomed Vessel. – MATE’S “GOODBYE” MESSAGE
A dramatic story of the last S.O.S. message from the Leith trawler, May Island, was told at the inquiry at Lerwick into the loss of the vessel, with her crew of ten men, on February 18 last. The disaster occurred during a gale off the coast of Lamba Ness, Unst, Shetland.
John J. Liston, marine superintendent to. Thomas Scales & Son, Ltd., Newhaven, owners of the trawler, gave evidence to the effect that she was thoroughly Seaworthy when she left on her last voyage and that her skipper was a competent and experienced seaman. The May Island was equipped with wireless telephony, a direction finder, charts, and flares. During last year £150 had been spent on overhauling and repairing the trawler, and the previous year the expenditure on her was about £2000 including the installing of a new boiler. The vessel was insured for £1000.
Mr Liston identified pieces of wreckage, etc., as belonging to the May Island. James E. Anderson, master of the Aberdeen trawler D. W. Fitzgerald, said was one of 50 trawlers sheltering to the lea of the island of Unst on the night of February; 17. After changing the watch at 3.30 a.m. on the 18th, he turned on his wireless and heard the message “May Island on Flugga Rocks.” He heard it twice and then summoned all hands to keep a look-out- for flares. His trawler searched the Flugga coast twice unsuccessfully but never right round the south side of Lamba Ness. The red sector of Flugga light would have been visible only two or three miles that night.
FOUR BODIES WASHED ASHORE -Local witnesses from Unst described the spot where the wreck occurred and the wreckage which drove ashore and also spoke to four unrecognisable bodies being picked and buried.
Mrs Blaikie, Cockcenzie, widow of John. Blaikie, one of the drowned men, identified a petrol pipe lighter found in the trousers on one of the bodies as belonging to her husband.
Daniel Begg aged 15, Dunnet, Caithness, said he picked up a bottle 13 miles from Thurso containing the following message “ Island gone, no hope, off Shetland, Goodbye.”
Stuart Tarvit, Cellardyke, testified that the writing on the message was that his brother John Tarvit, mate of the trawler and brother of the skipper.
Other evidence was to the effect that a high intervening hill prevented the men on the local coast watching station from seeing a vessel close at Lamba Ness. The jury returned formal verdict., Falkirk Herald – Wednesday 12 August 1936
1937
FISHERMAN KILLED ON DRIFTER ACCIDENT AS VESSEL WAS LEAVING HARBOUR. An inquiry was made at Cupar to-day into the circumstances of fatal accident to 32-year old Cellardyke fisherman. Deceased, William McBain, fisherman, Shore Street, Cellardyke, sustained a broken neck in an accident on board the steam drifter Twinkling Star it was leaving the outer harbour of Anstruther about 7.30 on the morning of December 11. The evidence revealed that McBain had been struck by part of a “fair lead” of the drifter which accidentally broke under strain of the manoeuvring rope then attached to the ” fair lead ” and to a rail on the breakwater of the harbour. The broken part of the ” fair lead ” was exhibited in court It consisted of a cast iron stud of about five inches and originally bolted to the metal rail of the drifter. James Muir, 49 Toll Road, Cellardyke, skipper and part owner of the drifter, told of the drifter’s departure for Methil. He said that one part of a four-inch manilla rope was attached to rail on the breakwater and passed through the ” fair lead ” on the port bow to bollards on the drifter where it was tied. He was in the wheelhouse and heard a shout, ” There’s a man laid out.” He saw McBain was seriously hurt about the head and learned later that he sustained a broken neck. The side of the “fair lead” through which the rope had been led had been broken off, and the broken part was found on the starboard side of the drifter about 16 feet away. There was no flaw in the ” fair lead ” which had been fitted on 8th October. Evidence was also given by Alexander Wood, harbourmaster of Cellardyke, who was assisting in the departure of the drifter from the breakwater: Alexander Gardiner,- 41 James Street. Cellardyke. mate of the drifter, and William Dunn, 36 Mid Shore, Pittenweem, fisherman on the drifter. ” Not Unknown ” to Break. – Wood stated that was not an unknown thing for a cast iron ” fair lead ” to break. Gardiner stated that there was a strong wind blowing. The stem of the drifter was towards the harbour entrance and the rope was being used to swing the ship round. All at once the rope went slack and McBain fell at his feet and lay face downwards on the deck. The drifter was made fast and McBain was taken ashore. Dr David Cook Wilson, Anstruther, said it appeared that some object had struck deceased on the back of the head and had caused his head to be jerked forward violently. A formal verdict was returned. Dundee Evening Telegraph – Monday 17 January 1938
1938
CELLARDYKE MAN DROWNED AT VANCOUVER News has been received of the death from accidental drowning off Vancouver on February 23 of Mr James Martin, native of Cellardyke, and son of the late Mr and Mrs James Martin, 36 , James Street. Mr Martin was the owner of the fishing boat Curlew M, on which his brother Martin was also engaged. On the morning of February 23 they had practically finished operations, and as was the custom, Mr James Martin was dropping the trawl over the stern of the vessel in order to clean it when a rope caught his legs and he was pulled overboard. His brother immediately stopped the engine of the vessel, and, rushing to the stern, he saw James about three feet under the water pulling himself along the ground rope. He started to pull in the rope and was ultimately able to grip his brother by the shoulders. He had to drag him round the side of the vessel before he could get him on board, and by that time life was found to be extinct. Mr James Martin went out to Vancouver in 1906, and his last visit to Cellardyke was 18 years ago. He is survived by his wife, who belongs to Newhaven, and one daughter. – Dundee Evening Telegraph – Thursday 10 March 1938
FISHERMAN DIES AT SEA David Christie- (60), a member of the crew of the motor fishing boat Good Hope, KY. 165, meantime fishing from Fraserburgh harbour, and whose home address is, 26 Roger Street, Cellardyke, collapsed and died while at work in the hold of, the vessel. The skipper immediately cut the nets and hailing another boat in the vicinity, asked her to haul them later. He made for port as quickly, as possible, and arrived in Fraserburgh at 12.45 yesterday morning. A doctor was called, and pronounced life extinct, death being due to natural- causes. Aberdeen Press and Journal and Scortsman 14th July 1938
1940
WIFE DIED FROM SHOCK, Lost overboard in the Firth of Forth’ two months ago, the body of Mr. Alexander McRuvie (32), of Dove Street, Cellardyke, Fife, has been recovered. His wife (27), who never got over the shock of the news of his loss, died a fortnight ago in Edinburgh Infirmary. When McRuvie was swept off his ship the skipper made a gallant attempt to save him, and was himself saved by another vessel, – Belfast Telegraph – Monday 21 October 1940
ANSTRUTHER. AWARDED VELLUM.—Thomas Anderson, aged 49, Craigaven, Williamson Place, Cellardyke, has been awarded the vellum the Royal Humane Society. Anderson, along with James Watson Bett, aged 32, 36 Forth Street, Cellardyke, who attempted, on 22nd August, to save Alexander McRuvie, aged 32, from drowning in the Firth Forth at Wemyss. – St. Andrews Citizen – Saturday 26 October 1940
1948
Dead whaling man – inquest adjourned
When James Fleming, a young seaman from s.s Southern Larkspur, a whaling vessel which was berthed at South Shields, visited his father on another ship of the whaling fleet lying at Newcastle yesterday, he entered his cabin to find his father dead.
When the fleet left the Tyne at mid-day today, James did not sail with it.
The dead man, James Elder Fleming, aged 42, a pump man aboard the Southern Harvester, lived at Shore Street, Cellardyke, Fifeshire.
The police are conducting investigations and it is believed that the man died after inhaling chlorine vapour from a fluid used for cleaning clothing.
At the inquest held in Newcastle this morning, only, evidence of identification was heard before the hearing was adjourned to enable an analysis to be made of the cleaning fluid. – Shields Daily News – Monday 04 October 1948
1961
St Monance Fisherman ; Drowned At Sea Mr George Thomson, a St Monance fisherman, has been drowned at sea. Thomson, who was 49, belonged to Cellardyke, but his home was in St Monance. The accident occurred while the motor fishing vessel, the Wilson Line, was fishing near the Faroes. Mr Thomson was washed overboard and drowned. His body was recovered later. He is survived by his widow and a son of 12 – Edinburgh Evening News – Monday 02 October 1961
1965
DROWNED AT SEA.—Mr James Muir (49), of Toll Road, Cellardyke, a member of the crew of the Anstruther boat Ocean Gain, has been drowned during fishing operations near the Faroes. He fell overboard, and his body was later recovered. – The Scotsman – Thursday 22 April 1965
1966
Fisherman lost off Aberdeen boat
Fisherman lost off Aberdeen boat
Fife line fisherman has died In the Icy waters off Faroe on his first trip of the new year. He was Mr Robert Duncan (51), a member of the crew of the Kirkcaldy registered line-fishing boat Silver Chord, which operates from Aberdeen. News of his death was broken yesterday to his family at Cellardyke. Anstruther. He was married, with one child. Mr Duncan Is understood to have fallen overboard. His shipmates managed reach him but were too late to save hm. He was dead when they got him back on board. .Skipper James Muir headed the Silver Chord Into the Faroese port of Trangisvaag to report the tragedy It was expected that the Silver Chord would calling for home with Mr Duncan’s body —but It was uncertain last night if she had been able get under way. Confirming the tragedy, spokesman for the vessel’s Aberdeen agents said he was unable to give details the accident or the ships likely movements. He had had difficulty In making telephone communication with Trangisvaag. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Wednesday 12 January 1966
Fisherman’s body taken ashore – When the Kirkcaldy line fishing boat, the Silver Chord, arrived at Aberdeen today the crew landed the body of their shipmate, Mr Robert Duncan (51), writes Arthur Middleton. Despondent at the tragic beginning to their season’s fishing, the crew said that Mr Duncan had overbalanced while stepping over pond boards and landed in the icy waters off the east coast of Faroe. “He was in the water no more than four minutes.” said Mr Robert Gardner, one of the, crew. • “Jim Rltchie, the engineer, raised the alarm when other members of the crew were employed at other parts of the boat. It was very dark and difficult to see what was happening. “He was a non-swimmer and went over about midships and floated aft. The weather was reasonable and when I saw him he was struggling in the water I got clip and gripped part of his clothing but the clip broke and we lost him for two minutes” Fourth Year – “He appeared on the other side of the boat and got him back on board with grappling iron There was no sign of life and he did not respond to artificial respiration.” said Mr Gardner, who, belongs Anstruther. The Silver Chord, which operates from Aberdeen, had been fishing two days, and Mr Duncan was starting his fourth year with the boat. A hearse waited at the Quayside to take Duncan’s to his family at Cellardyke – Aberdeen Evening Express 13th January 1966
1978
The search for a man missing after a 25ft. lobster boat capsized in the Forth estuary off Fife Ness was abandoned last night as dense fog settled the area. Fife police said that the hunt for the boat’s owner Mr Joseph Swankie (34), 28 Shore St. Cellardyke, would be resumed at first light. Two helicopters, a royal Navy Frigate, the Anstruther Lifeboat and a flotilla of smaller vessels had scoured the water for any sign of the man, while coastguards combed the rocks along the South Fife Coastline. Earlier, his companion, Mr James Berry (35) 13 Dove Street. Cellardyke, had been picked by HMS Torquay after coastguards heard him calling for help from the water and put up a flare to guide the ship. Mr Berry was flown by helicopter to the sick bay at RAF Leuchars suffering from shock and slight hypothermia and was later said to be “giving no cause for concern”. Coastguards at Fife Ness said visibility was limited to about 100 yards when the Fearnought capsized. The reason for the accident was still not clear last night. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Friday 19 May 1978
- Page 2 – List of Losses
- Page 3 – 1776 – 1799
- Page 4 – 1800 – 1849
- Page 5 – 1850 – 1869
- Page 6 – 1870 – 1879
- Page 7 – 1880 – 1889
- Page 8 – 1890 – 1899
- Page 9 – 1900 – 1909
- Page 10 – 1910 – 1920
- Page 11 – 1921 – 1950