1871
About half-past seven o’clock on Wednesday morning, while the fishing boat ” Alexander and Elizabeth,” belonging to Mr Alex. Tarvit, was returning from the fishing ground, and while about a mile and a half off Cellardyke, one of the crew, named Robert Drummond, was knocked overboard by the sail. Strenuous endeavours were immediately made to rescue the unfortunate man, who was seen floating on his back in the water. The crew of the boat “Johns” of Fisherrow, Mr John Brown, skipper, who saw Drummond in the water, also made every exertion to save him, hut were unable to get close enough to him, and about ten minutes after the accident happened, the body disappeared. Drummond was a labourer, but has been acting as a half-dealsman during the fishing. He was 41 years of age, and has left a widow and seven children totally unprovided for. East of Fife Record – Friday 17 February 1871
AFFECTING DEATH OF A YOUNG FISHERMAN. —On Tuesday evening, John Parker, fisherman, Cellardyke died after a few days illness from the effects it is believed of a protracted fishing trip during which the little store of water having become exhausted, the crew were glad of a supply, however unwholesome, from the casks of a French lugger which they encountered on the passage. The unfortunate young man had been suffering from thirst, and drank copiously of this tainted water, in consequence of which he was seized with diarrhoea, which completely prostrated a naturally not very robust constitution and death ensued, as we have already stated. He was only twenty-two years of age; but one of the saddest episodes in the mournful story is the fact that his young widow, whom he brought but four months ago as a bride from Stonehaven, is now left to the care and compassion of strangers. The deceased was of a serious turn of mind, and during his short day, his life had been singularly exemplary and blameless. – Fife News April 22nd 1871
On Monday afternoon a lamentable accident happened near the Bell Rock, by which a young man named Andrew Carstairs, one the crew of the Cellardyke fishing boat ” Planet,” No. 22 (Skipper Duncan McRuvie), lost his life. He had gone to the side of the boat to draw some salt water with the peggin”—a wooden vessel fitted with a long handle —when in attempting to lift it on board he was dragged overboard by the strength of tbe current, owing to the speed at which the boat was going through the water. This circumstance, however, enabled the boat to tack with the utmost readiness, but promptness and activity were all unavailing, as before the drowning young man could be reached, his boatmates, looking with feelings not to be described, saw him throw his arms into the air, and then sink into a watery grave. Carstairs was about twenty years of age ; but however short his lifetime he had been peculiarly the child of misfortune and sorrow. In early youth he was deprived by death of both his father and mother, and some years ago melancholy calamity having overtaken his maternal grandmother, who lived in comforatble circumstances in Crail, he was sent into the world all homeless and friendless growing up without any steady employment, and open to every snare and temptation around him ; and now that his brief blighted life is over, leaving few if any to mourn his untimely fate.. Fife Herald – Thursday 10 August 1871
1873
THE LATE SUDDEN DEATH OF AN ANSTRUTHER FISHERMAN AT PETERHEAD. —The following are some particulars regarding the sudden death of George Parker, belonging to West Anstruther, who expired suddenly on board a fishing boat while at sea on the evening of Wednesday last week. as announced in our obituary last Friday. Parker was one of the crew of the boat if Harvest Home, belonging to Wm. Sutherland. Anstruther. The boat proceeded to sea from Peterhead on Wednesday afternoon, for the herring fishing, the deceased then being in his usual health. At half-past nine that evening, while about thirty miles out, the attention of the others was directed to Parker by his coughing, when they observed that blood was flowing from his mouth and nose. Seeing him about to fall, his companions went to his assistance, but the poor man was only able to articulate the words, “Oh, Willie,” and almost immediately expired. The body was taken to the dead-house at Peterhead next morning to be examined previous to interment. The bursting of a blood-vessel was the cause of death. East of Fife Record – Friday 25 July 1873 – …..The deceased was about fifty-one years of age, and had left home in the course of week in his usual robust state of health, and the announcement of his death has thus come with peculiar suddenness and surprise upon his friends and much sympathy is for his widowed mother, with whom, being unmarried, he made his home. Poor George was in early life & ploughman, but with that instinctive love for the sea—so characteristic of those who have been cradled by the witching music and mystery of the shore —he took to his favourite element at last, and for many years has been well known as the most fearless and active crab fishers of the East of Fife. St Andrews Citizen 19th July 1873 N.B the Boat was the Harvest Home
Fisherman Drowned at Sea.—On Wednesday morning while the crew of a Cellardyke fishing boat were preparing to cast their nets, about thirty miles from land, one of them, named John Wood, was engaged in passing out the end of the sail with a hook, when the boat gave a lurch, and he was precipitated into the sea. Every exertion was made to save him by his brother fishermen, but being unable to swim, Wood sank in three minutes after falling overboard. Wood had only been married fortnight. Dundee Courier – Saturday 13 December 1873
1875
JANET ANDERSON KY 1296 – VIGILANT KY 1214 IN WHAT IS KNOW AS THE BEAUTIFUL STAR DISASTER
THE CELLARDYKE BOATS-TWO MISSING. With only five exceptions, the whole of the Cellardyke boats employed during the autumn, to the number of between forty and fifty, have been engaged since the beginning of October at the herring fishing off the English ports of Lowestoft and Yarmouth. It has been the custom of a large number of the Cellardyke fishermen for some years put to go to these ports, and hitherto, although stormy weather has been experienced during the passage either to or from England, no disaster whatever has taken place, a result which has been due as much to the excellence of the boats now belonging to the district as to the superior manner in which they were managed. These requisites have been as conspicuous before this year, but, as no one requires to be told, the season has been characterised by the most violent and frequently-recurring storms ever known to have happened. From this cause, the crews while in England have made unusually few trips to sea, and but for the high prices consequent on the deficiency in the quantity of herrings caught, many of our fishermen would have been actually out of pocket by their voyage to the south.
After being about two months on the Norfolk coast, preparations were made by nearly the whole of the crews to commence their homeward passage last week, and a few left on the Tuesday whose safe arrival on the Thursday we recorded in our last issue. Upwards of 30, however, did not leave the English ports until Wednesday last week, and were all caught in the storm which broke out so suddenly on Friday last. Four or five reached Anstruther harbour that night, and in the coarse of Saturday all had arrived or were known to be in safety witb the exception of 17. One of those accounted for was the boat of Skipper David Wood, ( EXCELSIOR) who had succeeded in taking the Humber, but only after the loss of one of his crew. This was Alexander McRuvie, a young lad 16 years of age. The returned crews were unanimous in describing the storm as being one of the most severe they had ever experienced, and when no accounts of the missing boats had been received up to Saturday night, great anxiety naturally prevailed as to their safety—a feeling which was deepened when the storm, which had abated during the course of Saturday, broke out with even greater violence early on Sunday morning. At an early hour, the relatives and friends were on the outlook for an of the boats, but it was not until nearly ten o’clock that any signs of the anxiously expected crews were observed. During Sunday 12 boats arrived, the men on board which gave graphic accounts of the hardships and toils they had undergone before reaching the harbour. One boat had their sail split, and being blown into Dunbar Bay was in great danger of being driven on shore ; but, fortunately, the crew, by the most strenuous exertions, succeeded in getting their boat clear of the land and steered safely home. When the storm came on, it threatened to drive the boats back to the south again, and for the purpose of making drag, nets were thrown overboard. These, in consequence of the fury of the sea, were found to be almost torn to pieces when the crews came to pull them on board again. On the Friday night many of the boats were lying at anchor under the Farne 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.—I commit to the deep, in the hope of some kind friend finding this, for the sake of friends et 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. On Monday morning five boats had not been accounted for, but in the course of the forenoon a telegram was received from Lowestoft stating that Skipper George Anderson’s boat, who lett that port on the Friday, had been towed into that port, and reporting the loss of one of his crew, named John Watson, aged 31 years, and unmarried. It seems that Watson bad been washed over- board by a sea which had carried away the mizzen-mast and sail, and the hatches. Another of the crew was also washed into the sea, but he was observed and rescued. In the afternoon the boat of Skipper Robert Davidson entered the new harbour. It left Lowestoft at the same time as Anderson’s, but on Saturday morning between five six o’clock, a sad accident befel Robert Brown, a married man with four young children. The crew were wearing the boat, wen the yard of the sail was suddenly lifted by the wind, and sent against Brown’s left temple with great force. He was at once carried to the bunk, but of course the remainder of the crew could do nothing for him. This made them, however very eager to get home at the earliest possible time in order that medical assistance might be obtained, and accordingly every stitch of sail that the boat could carry was hoisted, but before they reached the harbour Brown had lain about 50 hours in an almost insensible condition. Medical aid was immediately obtained, and up to yesterday afternoon he was still in a critical state.
On Monday night there were still three boats unheard of —viz., those of Skippers James Murray, Robert Stewart (Latto), and James Stevenson. On Tuesday, however, a telegram was received from Skipper David Wood, who had taken shelter in Grimsby, stating that a report saying been current that a boat was seen riding oft Lynn Deeps, in the Wash, he had made enquiries and learned that it was that of MrJames Stevenson, and subsequently a telegram we received from Stevenson hitiself. This dispelled the fears for the safety of the crew, eight in number, in his boat. Of the other two boats, no accounts have been received, and from the fact that the wind has been favourable since Sunday, scarcely any hope is now entertained of their safety. James Murray left Yarmouth on Wednesday, and was in company with Skipper John Wood up to Friday night, when they were on this side of the Fern Islands. Wood put out a number of nets to keep the boat’s head to the waves, and the crew observed those on board Murray’s boat lower the mast and put up a light, which shortly afterwards disappeared. Wood’s boat drifted until the south aide of Shields was reached, when sail was made and the harbour entered on Sunday afternoon It is possible that a number of those on board the missing boats might have been washed overboard, and that those left may have been unable to work to the boat to any port; but this is not thought very probable from the fact that the coast where they must have been is so much frequented by vessels and boats that they must have been heard of before this time. There is a chance of the crews having been picked up by some outward-bound steamer or ship, and should that be the same, it may be some time before any intelligence is received; but it may as well be stated that the fishermen do not lend any encouragement to this view of the matter.
The following is a list of the crew, seven in number, in Murray’s boat (Janet Anderson KY 1296) : James Murray (26), skipper, who was to have been married next month. Andrew Stewart(34), married, and a family of 4, one born only on Monday last. Alexander Lothian (54), married, and family of 4. James Walker (37), married, and family:of 4. William Briggs (22),:married, one child. Hugh Mackay, unmarried, age unknown. William Mackay, unmarried, age unknown. In the boat of Robert Stewart (Vigilant KY 1214) there were six of a crew, whose names we append : Robert Stewart (Latto)(42), married, and 5 of a family. James McRuvie (45), married, and 4 of a family. James McRuvie (16), his son, unmarried. Leslie Brown, aged 19, unmarried. Alexander Doeg (Reid) (32), married, and six children. William Stewart (46), married, two of a family, one of them grown up. East of Fife Record – Friday 26 November 1875
DISCOVERY 0F ONE 0F THE MISSING CELLARDYKE BOATS. Skipper Alexander Rodger received a letter last week bearing the melancholy tidings that the wreck of the ” Vigilant,” of had been discovered sunk in about six fathoms on the Inner Dowsing sand-bank, a dangerous shoal in the mid waters of the Wash. It appears that the Trinity cruiser, while in search for floating or sunken wreck, observed the tip of a spar on the surface of the water, which, on being dragged away for the safety mariners, proved to be the mast of fishing boat, which, from the marks, but more particularly from the initials on the fishing also recovered at the same time, has identified belonging the ill-starred ” Vigilant,” of whicb Robert Stewart was master and owner. Ths boat was one four which hoisted sail about 3 a.m. on the fatal Friday, and so far as we can gather, she was last seen in the delusive interval before the storm standing under a press of sail. She was then some two miles off the Cellardyke boat “Dolphin,” which, in almost the first sweep of this tempest, tacked again for Lowestoft; but it only too probable that the crew of the ” Vigilant ” were in the like struggle between death and life when the message of fate was borne in the bosom of some dark billow, which swift and resistless as an avalanche would the boat and her living freight ere a deathcry had arisen the wings of the blast. Fife Herald – Thursday 23 December 1875
Also Lost in this storm from St Monans with all their crews- The Beautiful Star, Thane and Quest – A total of 37 fishermen – 16 from Cellardyke and 21 from St Monans leaving 19 widows and 72 children and dependants
Also reported lost James Gardner (47) from the boat WILLIAMS – Oct 21st, caught by a sail and knockewd off the boat
1876
CHARLES BAIN or SMITH ( reported under both names) – Charles Bain, one of the crew of a Cellardyke boat, registered at Kirkcaldy No. 2, was swept overboard while sitting on a spar on the side of the boat about 20 miles out. He was 54 years of age, leaves a widow and large grown-up family, and resided in Leven, Fifeshire. – East of Fife Record – Friday 11th August 1876 KY2 was the Cellardyke Boat, Catherine Fowler Skipper James Smith Robertson
WILLIAM WATSON (JACK) 0ct 16th lost at Yarmouth Wharf. He was a last minute fill in crew member on John and George Doig’s, Victoria Cross,
DAVID DOIG (WOOD) – another crew member from John and George Doig’s, Victoria Cross,
CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED.—On the return of the fishing boat Victoria Cross from the fishing ground on Wednesday morning, Skipper John Doeg reported the loss of one of his crew, named David Doeg (Wood.) It appears that they were on their way home with a fresh breeze but calm sea. and when between the Isle of May and Anstruther, a blinding snow shower came on, followed almost immediately by a heavy sea, which swept over the boat and carried Doeg sway, the skipper himself only saving himself by seizing hold of the side of the boat. As soon as possible, the boat was put round and steered back to the spot, but by this time no trace of the unfortunate man could be seen. Doeg, who was a quiet, steady, and inoffensive man, was about 50 years of age, and leaves a widow and one grown-up daughter. – East of Fife Record – Friday 24 March 1876
ALANDER HODGE – Feb 1877 – Fife News -A Praiseworthy Donation – We learn with pleasure that the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Society—the most meritorious of all benevolent institutions on our stormy seaboard—has just awarded, through the kind representation of their district agent, Wm Gillies, Esq., of the Fishery service, the sum of £5 to the age-stricken parents the Cellardyke mariner, Alexander Hodge, who was drowned at sea last autumn, while rounding Cape Horn, on the voyage from San Francisco the Humber.
1877
ROBERT DOIG (18)
Cellardyke Fisherman Drowned. Early on Wednesday morning one of the Cellardyke fishing boats was overtaken by the storm while at sea, and during a heavy squall, three of the crew were washed overboard. The skipper and another man were with much difficulty rescued by the remainder of the crew, but a lad named Robert Doig, aged about 18 years was drowned. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Wednesday 14 March 1877
1878
STONEHAVEN. Fifeshire Fisherman Drowned off Stonehaven —On Wednesday afternoon about o’clock John Montadore, owner and skipper of the boat Jacobines, number 1378, from Cellardyke, while assisting to set the jib sail, tripped his foot, fell backwards over the gunwale into the sea, and although the crew did everything to assist him he sank and was drowned. The crew remained some time about the place,.and then returned to the harbour. The authorities are investigating the case. Dundee Evening Telegraph – Thursday 11 July 1878
Another Cellardyke Fisherman Drowned at Lowestoft.—Again the wild winds are sighing the sorrows the sea, and in the old home the big tear falling over the hopes and joys buried for ever in the deep. In this case the victim is Andrew Lyall, one of the crew of the Cellardyke boat ” Cyprus,” owned by his brother-in-law, Skipper John Watson (Lyall) which, like others of the Scottish fleet, sailed from Lowestoft for the herring sea in the course of Monday. The weather was and had been threatening; but cheered by the rising prospects of the fishing the boats bad faced the terrors of the night, when the squall once more burst upon them with all the fury of the hurricane. It was in the hour of the wildest conflict with wind and sea that the “Cyprus,” while standing into the land, was struck by a tremendous wave, which buried the decks the bosom of the roaring cataract. The gallant boat bounded like a mighty wrestler from the grasp of her enemy, and each brave man breathed again a thankful prayer for his deliverance; but there was one hero the less after that ordeal. It was the sad old story: strong hand is struck in an instant from its last lifehold, and sent to battle, without a chance or possibility of rescue, in the jaws of death, where, perchance, the drowning cry is heard, but scarce heard, ere all is hushed for ever the silence of the grave. The disaster occurred about four o’clock on Tuesday morning, and in the course of the day the fatal news were telegraphed to Cellardyke, where the deceased, who about sixty years of age, leaves widow to bewail his loss. Andrew Lyall was fine specimen of a Scottish fisherman—strong and resolute as the element, at once his cradle and his grave, but withal as earnest and peace-loving, sympathetic and true, as the needle which so often guided him through the darkness and the storm; and both on the old shore and amongst his comrades on the far away cruise his untimely fate 3 excited on all sides a general burst of sorrow and regret. Fife Herald – Thursday 31 October 1878 (The vessel was the Cyprus possibly KY96 launched not long before, built by John A Millar)
East Fife Fisherman Drowned. —The distressing intelligence was received in the end of last week that Anstruther sailor, named John Duff one of the crew of the Cellardyke herring boat belonging to James Tarvit, now fishing from Yarmouth, had been accidentally drowned in the river. The unfortunate man was last seen alive on Monday week, when there is every reason to believe that while walking along the quay, a stranger in the darkness—he had stumbled into the water when one was near. Failing to return, the crew instituted a search far and near, but his disappearance remained a mystery till Thursday, when an urchin fishing in the river dragged his lifeless body to the surface in pulling home his line. John Duff was about forty-five years of age, and has left widow in West Anstruther to bewail his loss. Dundee Courier – Tuesday 05 November 1878
Cellardyke Boat Skipper Drowned at Sea.— For the third time this season the death knell comes sounding over the waters telling of fresh griefs and bereavement to the sorrowstricken homes of Cellardyke, the sufferer on this being Alex. Watson, skipper and owner of the boat “Polar Star,” now fishing Lowestoft. The sad tale is soon told. Anxious to make the most of the few remaining days of a weary and disappointing season, the “Polar Star” had braved the rising gale of Monday. For a time all had gone well, but while battling with the waves, with the sky black with the night and the storm, a tremendous billow rose under the stern and broke with resistless fury over the boat. The gallant craft was buried in foam, and perhaps with one and all there was the last sad and solemn thoughts drowning men. It was a moment of wild and fearful suspense, but the boat rose like a life-buoy in the wrestle, with one brave man the less, however—Skipper Watson had been washed from the helm. What was the human arm to do and dare amongst those black and seething billows? and so perchance without one struggle or the eddies rolled over the mariner’s grave. Skipper Watson, who belongs to an old and worthy stock, was himself one the best known and most respected fisherman of the coast, and that whether for his unwearied industry and resolution in his calling or for his exemplary earnestness or devotion in all the social and domestic duties of life. His loss is also the breaking np of another happy and interesting household—a widow and five children being left to deplore the fate of as generous and loving a heart as ever warmed the human bosom. Fife Herald – Thursday 07 November 1878 ( Shortly after – The first class fishing boat Polar Star as owned by Alexander Watson recently drowned at Lowestoft, was sold at auction at Anstruther beach recently. The upset price was £250 but the first and only offer was £230 at which she passed into the hands of Martin Gardener. The Jacobina was offered for sale under the same melancholy circumstances as the Polar Star, her owner John Montadore having perished last Lammas in the offing off Stonehaven. Her upset price was £140 but no sale was effected )
1879
Sad Tidings from the South. —A Yarmouth telegram was received in Anstruther on Sabbath with the mournful tidings that Alexander Brown, one of the crew the herring boat, “May Flower,” of Cellardyke, had died there early hour that morning from the effects, seems, exposure and fatigue at his stormy calling. The unfortunate mariner was about forty-eight years of age, and to the fatal voyage looked the very picture of hale and robust manhood. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. His elder brother, Bailie Brown, left Cellardyke to superintend his funeral, which was the occasion of another of those fine expressions of sympathy and brotherhood which do honour to all concerned. The seafaring men at Yarmouth—whether from the shores of the Forth or elsewhere—attended in large numbers, and the scene was a most impressive one as the large procession with its melancholy burthen, moved up the stately avenue to the grand old church of St Nicholas, under whose shadow he now rests, like unnumbered others, from the storm and the battle on this side of the river. He had his own share of those, and not the least interesting episode with which he had to do is the fact that he was the first in the East Neuk to launch away on this, his latest, herring sea. It is thus related the “ Fisher Life of Cellardyke” Profiting by a hint on Fisherrow beach, the skipper of the old “ Hope” sailed to the southward ; but, on arriving with his Fifeshire gear, he and his crew were exactly in the sad plight of seekers without a single hammer or pick to break into the mine. There were these who laughed; but, unmoved and undaunted, they once rigged their twenty nets with cork and messenger, and thus, like their English neighbours, went to sea, where they in the end prospered so well that they returned home with £32 to a hand, or, in other words, with a double harvest as compared with hook and line. This was in 1863, and the following antumn the lucky little craft and a companion boat renewed the venture, which, from that day, has engaged the enterprise of the coast. Fife Herald – Thursday 30 October 1879
- 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
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