1880
Master of a Fishing boat Drowned – The fishing boat KY1611 (TAEPING) – James Bett master went out to sea on Tuesday night from Cellardyke, but the sea running high it was thought advisable to make way for Peterhead. When some distance from that port a heavy sea struck the boat and forced the tiller round with such force that Bett who was holding it, was knocked into the water, and almost immediately sank. The night being dark nothing could be done to save the man and the boat bore up for Aberdeen, where it arrived early yesterday morning. Deceased who was aged about 25 was only married a year ago, and has left a wife and child. Glasgow Evening Post – Thursday 29 January 1880 (This boat was built by Wm Jarvis in Anstruther for Skipper James Bett, and only launched in early 1879)
FATAL DISASTER AT SEA. THREE CELLARDYKE FISHERMEN DROWNED. The storm which prevailed at sea on Tuesday night and Wednesday has resulted in the loss of three of our fishermen. The most of the boats left on Tuesday morning, and reached the fishing ground at night, but the tide not being suitable some of the crews resolved to delay shooting their lines until morning. Among these who did so was that of Skipper Alexander Fowler, who found the weather getting so bad that he resolved to return home, after tacking about for several hours in the hope that a favourable change would take place. By six o’clock on Wednesday morning, the sea had risen very considerably, and about that time Mr Fowler, feeling somewhat cold, relinquished the helm to Mr Andrew Fleming, and went forward to enjoy a smoke. Shortly afterwards a tremendous sea struck the boat, and Fleming along with Mr Andrew Brown, another of the crew, was then washed overboard. Mr Thomas Keay, who was also on board, fortunately managed to save himself, but was severely injured. The two unfortunate men were seen for a few moments, but disappeared before anything could be done to save them, although any effort to do so could not have proved of any avail considering the heavy sea, and the speed at which the boat was sailing. The boat arrived at Anstruther about 7 o’ clock. In the evening the melancholy tidings was comunicated to the widows by the clergymen. ( Another report – On Wednesday Morning as the Cellardyke boat Southern Cross, Alexander Fowler, master was running home from the great lines she was struck with a tremendous sea, while crossing the Murray Bank, some ten leagues or so from the Isle of May. Two of the crew Andrew Fleming, who was at the helm and Andrew Brown who was standing on the hatchway, were washed overboard and drowned. Thomas Keay was also severely crushed between the spars, which had been cast loose by the same fatal sea. Skipper fowler with great presence of mind cast loose the sheet on the boat, or one and all would doubtless have been engulfed in destruction. Fleming leaves a widow and five children, and Brown a widow and two children, all of whom are more or less helpless and dependant.)
Early on yesterday (Thursday) morning the boat of skipper Robert Meldrum entered Crail harbour, and the master reported that during the gale one of his crew, named Andrew Muir, had been washed overboard and drowned. David Wood, who was also in the boat, was injured about the head and face, but was able to walk from Crail to his home in Cellardyke. It appear that Muir was seen floating on his back in the water for several minutes, but two attempts to stay the boat were unavailing, and another heavy sea came, after which he was seen no more. The whole of the drowned men, who were all aged from between 30 and 40 years, mere married, and leave wives and families—Fleming leaving 5 children, Muir, 3 and Brown 2. We understand that Provost Watson yesterday afternoon received a telegram from Mr Stephen Williamson. expressing his deep sympathy with the bereaved, and asking fur further information as to the boats then unaccounted for. East of Fife Record – Friday 02 April 1880
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE TO A CELLARDYKE BOAT. MORE LOSS OF LIFE. Last week telegram in our columns announced the loss of another Cellardyke fisherman, being the fifth in the course of the present year ; but it is now our painful duty to supply the particulars of this distressing event, and also the miraculous escape of others of the crew. On Wednesday (the 21st), and at a point on the North Sea, not less than a hundred and ten miles front the Isle of May, the Cellardyke deep sea going boat “Garland,” Adam Watson, master, was busy with her big lines, when an hour or two of a deceitful calm was followed by one of the most violent southerly gales of the season. Every sailor, knows how in the spring months the sea appears to anticipate the wind, so quick does it rise to the whistle of the gale, and thus within the hour nothing was to be seen on the unbroken wilderness of waters but tumbling breakers and driving spray on which the lurid canopy appeared to rest, as if black with the shadow of destruction and death. Clinging to the last hope of saving their fishing gear, the crew of the “Garland ” held to their lines, till seeing the struggle fruitless, they like the rest of the squadron, slipped the remnant and bore away to the land. It was a race for life, so fierce was now the conflict between wind and wave, but the gallant craft swims like a seabird in the storm. The moment required it, and every precaution was taken. The veteran skipper at the helm, and each of the crew, like a faithful sentinel, stood at his post. In particular, the foresheet, led up from the belaying pin to windward, lay to the hand of Thomas Watson ; while his comrade, David Watson, was busy on the lee gunwale shipping the “range” or guard ropes, when a tremendous sea, hovering for a moment in the distance, burst like a cataract over the boat. Thomas Watson let go the sheet—it was the last act of a heroic life—it saved the boat, but that instant the strong man was swept away like a withered leaf on the autumn gale. David Watson clung to the stay, but the same fatal sea struck him like the blow of some giant hand from his hold, and he also was cast as a prey to the billows. Nor does the disaster end here, as another of the crew, John Stewart, was driven along the deck with such terrible force that his leg was broken against a projecting plank, but in all probability it saved him from a sadder fate. So destructive, indeed, was the sweep of the wave, that a chain, weighing at least four hundredweight, was washed like a piece of driftwood aft to the stern-sheets. But what of the perishing mariners in this terrible interval? Thomas Watson was soon called away from the struggle, but he seemed to meet his fate with the calm intrepidity of one whose anchor holds fast in heaven. His companion, David Watson, now began one of the most resolute and gallant efforts at self-preservation in the annals of the sea. A friendly hand In the boat had thrown out an oar, which he was so fortunate to seize, along with a small spar. His next movement was to form them into a cross, which became to him an ark of refuge during the full three-quarters of an hour he was cast away at the mercy of the storm. In the meantime, the disabled crew were doing and daring to the utmost for his succour, but every attempt seemed to end in heart-sickening failure till for the fifth time the boat was headed towards him, when he was taken on board all but exhausted by the dreadful ordeal of exposure and hardship through which he had passed. Without lingering further on the sufferings of the crew, suffice it to say that the ” Garland ” arrived at Anstruther harbour at an early hour on Friday morning, when no time was lost in placing John Stewart, whose right thigh had been broken in the gale, in the hands of Dr MacArthur, who was also called upon to unburthen her sad loss to the young widow.
“Coming events cast their shadows before them,’ says the poet, and with that strange presentiment which faith, poe but not philosophy, can solve, that midnight saw near and dear anxious and restless at the shore, but we cannot, we dare not, enter where surely affliction sheds Its saddest and bitterest tear.
Thomas Watson, the son of Thomas Watson (Martin): had not completed his 29th year. He was the friend and favourite of all, for his brave heart and willing hand was ever first in duty and danger, and well might the heart fail and the tears start as they have often done amongst us when lamenting the loss of one who had truly a foremost place in the manhood of the coast. He leaves a widow and orphan child, for whom and his worthy parents liveliest sympathy is being felt by one and all. As we have already said, this Is the fifth mariner of Cellardyke who went forth from his own in health and strength, but whose name is now on another muster roll, since the opening of the present year, short as Its course has been.
The others are skipper James Beat, who perished in the tang of Stonehaven in the gale of Wednesday, the 28th of January. He was twenty-five years of age. and left a widow to mourn his loss. The next calamity was on Wednesday, the 29th of February. when Andrew Brown (Brunton), and Andrew Fleming, were washed overboard and drowned in the North Sea. The former was forty four years of age, and left a widow and two children, and the latter was forty years of age, and left a widow and five children. Andrew Muir shared their melancholy fate in the same terrible storm—and thirty two years—and like the rest, was married, and left a widow and five children in helpless infancy. The loss of so many brave men—the flowers of the coast has naturally given rise to much discussion about the safety of life and limb aboard the deep sea going fleet of the coast. As usual, the idle and thoughtless are the first to speak, but it deserves consideration that while the deck or cover has been a notable improvement to the boats, it has developed a new hazard or peril to the crew. Not to go further back than the year 1791, when William Paterson and two other Kilrenny weavers perished by the swamping of their herring boat, nearly every accident could be traced to the same cause, till the introduction of the improvement just referred to. In the opinion of some, however, adequate precautions have not been taken in the way of a rail or protection over the gunwale, so as to do for the boat what the bulwarks do for the ship; and if this is really what is needed, we are glad to observe that no time is being lost in fitting out our deep sea fleet in a way that seems to unite both convenience and safety, the favourite method being by light stanchions and chains, as you may see on the top-gallant forecastles, and even the quarterdeck of square rigged ships.
In reference to David Watson, whose providential rescue is narrated above, we learn that on another occasion he was in circumstances of no less exciting danger. He was at the time a sailor on board of the famous tea-ship, ” Taeping,” when, on running down the China seas with every possible stitch of canvas net from “truck to gunwale,” he fell from the yard into the sea. The boats were stowed away on the deck ; but the officer of the watch threw a life buoy, which David, being an expert swimmer, was fortunate enough to grasp, and on which he floated like an albatross in the water till the ship ” rounded to” and made a long tack to windward, when he was saved after being more than half-an-hour adrift onthe ocean.” Fife News – Saturday 01 May 1880
Image of the Garland https://canmore.org.uk/collection/747685
Fisherman Drowned at The melancholy tidings were received on Monday evening by the Rev. Mr Anderson, minister of the parish, that William Anderson, one of the crew the Cellardyke boat Venus had been drowned about twilight, in the act of shipping the side-lights, on the Yorkshire coast ? The Venus, which belongs to his father-in-law, Skipper Peter Murray, had been stationed for some weeks at Scarborough, but, like the rest of the local squadron, now that the herring fishing is over, was on the homeward run when she was overtaken by one the fitful gusts of wind and rain which marked the weather on Monday. It was in one of those squalls that the poor fisherman was swept from the deck into the boiling sea. Everything was done for his rescue, but he was scarce seen ere he sank into watery grave. He leaves a widow and four children to mourn his loss. The present calamity makes the sixth man belonging Cellardyke who has been washed overboard and drowned in the course of the present year. Dundee Courier – Wednesday 20 October 1880
1882
DANGERS OF THE FISHING FLEET. After a treacherous lull, the westerly gale broke with redoubled violence on Friday evening. The herring fleet were busy at the fishing ground when the storm rose, with scarce a sign of warning. Fortunately, however, they were near the shore, and “snugging” the big sail they began tack for the harbour, although in some cases this was done while the flood was still low on the bar. One of these was the Dayspring, of Cellardyke, Martin Gardiner master. At last the favourable moment came to make the run, and so the boat was brought to the wind, but doing so the squall struck the sail with so much violence that the skipper’s son, Alexander, who was at the sheet, was spun, as it were, over the gunwale. It was intensely dark, and he seems to have sunk on the instant, as the boat flew past on the wings of the gale. A cry was heard the distance, and an oar was flung in the direction, but although this was followed by the most desperate efforts of the crew the search was unavailing, and the poor young fellow found a watery grave. Alexander Gardiner (26) was one of the most promising and respected of his class, brave and steadfast, and his untimely fate has made a deep and painful impression the coast. He leaves widow and one child, with many attached friends, to mourn his loss. It cannot be otherwise recorded than to his honour and an example to others that his life was insured for £100. This sad event occurred before midnight. When the boat with the melancholy tidings arrived in the harbour it intensified, of course, the alarm felt for the rest of the fleet, especially as every hour seemed to add to the fury the gate. The struggle was indeed arduous one, as the sea also rose with great violence in the conflict of tide and wind. Boat after boat had her sail split or her spars carried away. Dundee Weekly News – Saturday 25 February 1882
FATAL RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT TO A CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN.—A fortnight ago, when the boats were driven op the Firth by stress of weather, a Cellardyke fisherman named Alexander McRuvie had a fall while getting into his boat which was lying in Leith harbour. He was ultimately taken to the Infirmary, but the shock had brought ou paralysis of the spine, and he died on Thursday last week. He has left a widow and a grown-up family. East of Fife Record – Friday 28 April 1882
1883
CELLARDYRE FISHERMAN DROWNED.—Among the boats which left the harbour on Monday afternoon was the ” Phoenix,” ( KY 2005) of Cellardyke, Skipper George Watson (Smith.) On reaching the fishing ground, preparations were as usual made for shooting the nets, and as these were being carried out me of the crew, a young man called Thomas Pratt, lost his balance and fell overboard. None of those on board are able to account for the accident, but every effort was made to save the unfortunate man, but without avail The boat then returned to the harbour, and the melancholy intelligence was communicated to his parents, Pratt was only 21 years of age. Several boats were engaged trawling for the body on Tuesday and Wednesday but without success. East of Fife Record – Friday 16 March 1883
The body of Thomas Pratt, who was drowned off Anstruther about a fortnight ago, was found off St Monance on Wednesday by the crew of boat belonging to that port. There was scarcely any alteration in the features of the unfortunate young man, whose remains were at once conveyed to the residence of his parents in Cellardyke. Dundee Advertiser – Friday 23 March 1883
Fisherman Drowned at Peterhead. About half-past one o’clock this morning, Walter Peat (29), belonging to Cellardyke, master of herring boat Summer Breeze (KY., 2030), was drowned at the entrance of the south harbour here. The boat had come in late with a heavy shot of herrings, which the crew were discharging at the lighthouse jetty. Peat, who is supposed to have been somewhat the worse of Iiquor, was leaning over the gunwale of the boat, when he overbalanced himself and fell into the tide. At the time a strong current was running out into the bay, and the unfortunate man was carried away before assistance could be given. His body has not been recovered. He leaves a widow and family, who reside meantime in Seagate Place, Peterhead. Evening Gazette (Aberdeen) – Friday 24 August 1883
The body of Walter Peat, who was drowned in Peterhead harbour by accidentally falling overboard on the 24th ult., was brought to Pittenweem on Sunday by a fishing boat, and thereafter conveyed to his home in Cellardyke and on Monday the remains were interred in Pittenweem churchyard. The deceased, who was only about 30 years of age, leaves a widow and four children, for whom much sympathy has been expressed. East of Fife Record – Friday 07 September 1883
1884
Thomas Flemming (20) – Found dead in his bunk in John Barclay’s boat at Shetland
Melancholy Death of a Cellardyke Skipper. —The painful tidings flew from lip to lip—dimming many eye as it did so—early on Saturday that the promising young skipper of the Cellardyke boat “Conqueror,” John Muir, had been drowned overnight at Aberdeen. It is a touching story of the hazards of fisher life. The boat was one of the few successful on Friday at sea; but the last basket had been hoisted on the jetty, when with characteristic thoughtfulness, the young skipper turned to enquire for a friend. On his way he exchanged a few words with James Martin, and was in the act of seeking his own cabin, or, he himself said, to “turn in,” when, owing presumably to the intense darkness, a false step plunged him into the river. Willing hands sprung on the instant to the rescue, everything that experience and affection could suggest was tried and done, but all was unavailing. The body, indeed, was recovered some twenty minutes later, when, from the severe bruises on the head, he is supposed by some to have been killed instantaneously by the fall thus, after braving so many storms on the foaming sea, to perish at the harbour. Who shall tell the agony at such a moment; who, along with his father and 2 brothers, chanced to be at Aberdeen. His remains were conveyed south by rail on Monday for interment on the following day beside kindred dust in the old Churchyard of Ivilrcnny, when large company of friends and neighbours paid the last mournful tribute by the open grave. The young skipper, John Muir, was 28 years of age, brave and self-reliant in his vocation, and beloved by all for those sovereign qualities which endeared him most to those who knew him best, so that in no idle phraze few have been so lamented he who only left us a few weeks ago the very picture of manly health. It gives deeper touch of pathos to the sad story that his cruel fate is being wept by one with whom he was to have been united in wedlock a few weeks hence on his return from the fishing. Fife Herald – Wednesday 20 August 1884
1886
Alaska – KY332 – 14th July – The Cellardyke herring boat numbered K.Y. 332 entered Arbroath harbour on Tuesday morning and reported the loss of one of the crow. The boat left Anstruther about eleven o’clock on Monday night for Peterhead to follow the herring fishing. She had a crew of six, David Davidson skipper. The weather was fine, there not being much sea or wind. When the boat was between May Island and the Bell Rock, Robert Watson was on the weather bow taking in sail, when the weather rope caught him and dragged him into the sea. He kept afloat for a short time, and one of the crew threw an oar to him. it is not known whether he caught it, and nearly all the sail being off the boat, she could not soon be get round. When she came up to about the spot no trace of the unfortunate man was seen. The boat remained about the place for two hours and then made for Arbroath. Watson was about 30 and resided in Crail East of Fife Record – Friday 16 July 1886
CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED OFF ABERDEEN.- WhiIe the fishing boat Pioneer, No. 1051, was making for Aberdeen Harbour Saturday morning George Henderson, 32 years of age, one of the hired men, who resided at Tolbooth Wynd, was knocked overboard by the lurching the boat. He floated on his back for a few minutes, and was rescued the crew of Inverness boat. Everything was done to restore animation, but without avail, Henderson expiring shortly after being taken out the water. He was married, and leaves a widow and one child. Dundee Evening Telegraph – Monday 26 July 1886
1887
FISHERMAN DROWNED AT WICK. On Saturday morning Donald Sutherland, belonging to Skerray, in the parish of Tongue, was drowned off the Ord of Caithness. Hs was a hired man on board the Cellardyke boat Jeannie Wood, at present fishing at Wick, and when engaged about the jib he was struck bs the sheet and thrown into the water, and sank betore anything could be done to save him. He was 21 years of age, and unmarried. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Monday 08 August 1887
CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED AT YARMOUTH.—On Wednesday morning a telegram was received from Yarmouth by the Rev Mr Ray, asking him to convey the said intelligence to the family of Mr James Brunton, James Street, Cellardyke, that he had been drowned the previous night at Gorleston. It appears that deceased was last seen alive on Tuesday night at eleven, and it is supposed that while going on board his boat he fell into the water. He was picked up at ten o’clock on Wednesday morning. He had not been long in the water, probably not more than three or four hours. A purse, containing 4s 6d, was found on him. An inquiry was held on his body at Gorleston on Wednesday afternoon, and a verdict returned of found drowned. Two of his friends left Anstruther on Wednesday by rail in order to bring home the remains in the boat should the weather prove favourable. Brunton who was one of the best fishermen in Cellardyke, was about 50 years of age, and has left a widow and six of a family, for whom much sympathy has been expressed. East of Fife Record – Friday 25 November 1887
1889
CELLARDYKE SKIPPER DROWNED IN THE FORTH. Skipper George Corstorphine, of the boat Anapira, of Cellardyke, was drowned in the Forth about four o’clock yesterday morning. The crew had pulled the nets about three miles in the offing of Pittenweem, and the boat was heading to Anstruther, with the skipper at the helm. Two of the crew who had been below returned to the deck to find to their dismay that the skipper had disappeared. It was pitch dark at the time. It supposed that the skipper in consequence of the hoar frost and had fallen overboard. The boat returned to Anstruther about daylight. Skipper Corstorphine, who was much respected by all who knew him, was about 52 years of age. He was a widower, with four sons and a daughter. Edinburgh Evening News – Wednesday 06 March 1889
Cellardyke Fisherman Drowned off Aberdeen Thomas Tarvett, a fisherman, forming one of the crew of the line fishing boat Mountaineer, 11 A, fishing from Torry, Aberdeen, was drowned at sea on Saturday morning. Tarvett was assisting to haul the sail, when he lost his balance, and fell overboard. An oar was at once flung to him, but he was unable to catch it. and sank almost immediately. The crew rowed about the place for over an hour in hopes of saving the unfortunate man or recovering the body, but after Tarvett sank he never came to the surface again. Deceased, who was a native of Cellardyke, was 25 years of age. and leaves a widow and one child residing at 5 Bank Street, Torry. Dundee Courier – Monday 04 March 1889
Sad Accident off Aberdeen. Fisherman Drowned. This morning George Robertson, the skipper of one of the small line fishing boats fishing from Torry, reported on the arrival of his craft at Aberdeen that a sad accident had occurred at sea, whereby one of his crew was drowned. The man, whose name is said to be Tarvit, and who was a native of Cellardyke was accidentally washed overboard, while the boat was returning to port. The moment the accident was discovered the sail of the boat was lowered, and every means was used to rescue the drowning man, but without avail, Deceased has resided in Torry for some time – Evening Gazette (Aberdeen) – Saturday 02 March 1889
Fisherman Drowned off May Island. Yesterday the large fishing boat Glenroy, of Cellardyke, arrived at St Andrews Harbour, and reported the loss of of their crew, named James Boyter, about eight o’clock yesterday morning, twenty-three miles east the May. The unfortunate man had overbalanced himself and fallen overboard, and before the boat, which was going about six miles hour, could brought up to him, he had become exhausted and been drowned. Dundee Courier – Tuesday 30 April 1889
STONEHAVEN FISHERMAN DROWNED. The herring boat Black Prince, of Cellardyke, KY 1169, arrived Arbroath yesterday morning, and reported that one of her crew, James Brodie, a young man twenty-four years of age, had been lost overboard on Monday night when near the North Carr Lightship. Davidson, the master, states they left Anstruther harbour Monday forenoon, but seeing that they could not reach the ground that night they lay all day under lee of the Isle of May. , About midnight they set out under easy sail, for Aberdeen to be in readiness for Tuesday night, and when above stated deceased, who had all his clothes on, sea boots, &c., was assisting at the sail it bulged out suddenly, and knocked him overboard. The accident was seen, and the boat put about, but by this time he was fifty yards astern. He shouted several times for assistance, which could not be rendered, then threw up his arms and sank. It was all the work of a minute two. The night was very dark. The unfortunate man had disappeared before the boat could reach him. He was a native Stonehaven, but had joined the Black Prince last year at the herring fishing, and went home with her at the close of the season, and has resided since in Cellardyke, lodging with the master. He was unmarried,.his only relatives being two sisters, one of whom at least resides at Torry, Aberdeen. After tha event the boat proceeded to Arbroath, from which the sad intelligence was conveyed telegraph. Dundee Courier – Wednesday 07 August 1889