Cellardyke – In Memoriam – Losses to the Sea.

St. Fotin , Aberdeen owned – 21 Feb Among the casualties reported to have taken place in the same storm ( as the Bernicia ) was that of William Martin who was washed overboard near the Shetlands from one of the Aberdeen trawlers he was a native of Cellardyke and was a son of Skipper Alexander Martin of Cellardyke.

MAN DROWNED. On Sunday afternoon the steam trawler St. Fotin, Aberdeen, arrived in Lerwick Uarbonr almost wreck. Her foremast had been cut away, the wheelhouse carried off, and almost all the deck fittings practically gone. The crew were in a terribly exhausted state. They had been battling with the storm 150 miles south-east of Shetland since the previous Tuesday. The fires had been washed out, and the men bad been bailing for hours. A tremendous sea which struck the vessel carried away the wheel house, and the man in it—William Martin, second fireman, belonging to Aberdeen—was never seen again. (The St Fotin was only three months old – a state of the art Steam Trawler)

CELLARDYKE FATALITY ON THE TAY. –A drowning fatality, the circumstances connected with which are of a distressing character, occurred on the Tay on Tuesday afternoon. About three o’clock the steam liner Edith, of Anstruther, left the new Fish Dock, where her catch had been discharged. The vessel had scarcely proceeded three-quarters of a mile on the outward voyage when Thomas Smith, the mate, fell overboard. Smith was engaged at his duty on deck, when he slipped and fell over the ‘bulwark into the river. The engines were immediately put full speed astern, but the unfortunate seaman, clad as he was in heavy clothing and sea boots. sank befare the means of succour were at hand. Smith, who was 26 years of age. resided at 13 Rodger Street, Cellardyke, and was the son of the master of the Iiner—this being the second son who has, met his death by drowning. Grappling operations were conducted till a late hour on Tuesday night, but all efforts to recover the body proved fruitless. Operations were continued on Wednesday, and these at length proved successful, the body being recovered about 8 o’clock in the evening and brought home to Ansruther. The sad news was telegraphed to Anstruther to Mr William Birrell, Shore Street, and caused very general regret in the community. Smith was well.known and highly respected. East of Fife Record – Friday 06 July 1900

MELANCHOLY FATALITY OFF ANSTRUTHER HARBOUR. CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED. GALLANT RESCUES, A drowning fatality of a melancholy character occurred off Anstruther harbour on Saturday afternoon. The circumstances are as follows: — A number of the liners and trawlers, along with several fishing boats, arrived off the harbour shortly after noon. The tide was back at the time, and no entrance could be effected until well on in the afternoon. The White Cross, Skipper Parker, was one of the liners, and during the time of waiting the Skipper resolved to utilise the time by barking his nets. The small boat was sent ashore with several of the crew to procure a box of cutch. This having been obtained, several young lads got on board and went out to the liner. On the cutch being put on board, Skipper Parker asked one of the crew, named James Smith, (well-known as ‘ Skipper’) to row out in the small boat to the liner Isle of May, which was lying riding at anchor a few hundred yards further out, and bring back some herring baskets. Smith complied with the request, but asked that the liner should tow the small boat out a little bit. Those on board the small boat were Smith and Parker, two of the crew of the White Cross, sad the following young lads: —Thomas Pratt, 10 years of age, West Anstruther; James Jamieson, 13 years, West Anstruther; David McRuvie, 9 years, Cellardyke; and Alex. Motion, 13 years, Celiardyke. The engines were started slow ahead, but the vessel had not gone far when the tow rope, which was fastened at the quarter, and also at the stem head, slipped off the latter place, causing the small boat to swerve round, and strike the quarter of the liner. Smith was steering with an oar, and unfortnnately in the lurch the boat gave he lost hold of it. The water flowed into the boat until it was almost filled, and the occupants went to one side, with the result the boat overturned, and they were all thrown into the water. The tow rope was also broken. Smith was never seen again, and it is supposed he must have struck the liner with his head and been stunned. Two men on board the liner, named John Anderson and David MeRuvie, divested themselves of most of their clothing and jamp overboard. Anderson caught hold of two boys David McRuvie, son of D. McRuvie, Cellardyke, and Thomas Pratt. He held to them, until McRuvie swam up and got hold of his son. Alexander Motion swam up to the liner and was hauled on board, while the young lad James Jamieson was caught by Alexander Parker, one of the crew of the White Cross. They were all got on board and afterwards sent ashore. By this time a crowd had collected on the piers, and assistance was ready. Several of the lads wore more dead than alive when brought to the pier, and artificial respiration had to be resorted to to bring them round. Two of the lads were carried to neighbouring houses, where they were attended by Dr Wilson, and after recovering somewhat were taken home, and have all since got well. Steps were at once taken to drag for the body of Smith, and operations were carried on till darkening without result. On Sunday no less than seven boats were engaged in dragging, and one continued at the work until near nine o’clock at night, but unfortunately without finding any trace of it, and Monday’s operations were equally without result. Smith was 24 years of age, and was the support of his widowed mother, who resides at James Street, Cellardyke. The occurrence evoked many expressions of sympathy with Mrs Smith regarding the loss of her son. He was of a very cheerful and happy disposition, sud was a general favourite in the community. In several of the churches on Sunday sympathetic references were made in the prayers and sermons to the fatality. East of Fife Record – Friday 10 August 1900

1901

Fatal Accidents Enquiry. Monday an enquiry was held under the Fatal Accidents Enquiry Act, into the cause of the death of Thomas Reid, fisherman, Cellardyke, who was drowned on June last near the Brethren Rocks while on the passage from Lerwick to Cullivoe, off the boat Prospects Ahead, KY 1656. ……… William Sutherland deponed that he was 33 years of age, lived at John Street, Cellardyke, and was skipper of the boat Prospects Ahead, KY.1656. She was a first-class decked fishing boat, 31 tons burden, and 49 feet over stems. They had been engaged at the early herring fishing this year at Shetland, and left Cellardyke on 3rd June for Cullivoe. They carried no small boat, and had no lifebuoys on board. On their way to Cullivoe they passed through Lerwick harbour, where they arrived about on the morning of the 5^th June. They left at noon of the same day, but they took no small boat or lifebuoys from Lerwick. When they left the wind was SW. by S. and moderate. They had to run dead before the wind for some time, jibing the sail three or four times. After leaving Lerwick the wind increased, and when they were about1 ¼ or 1 ½  miles from the harbour they had to dip the sail to go on the starboard tack. After this had been done he ordered the sails to be set and two reefs taken in forward. After they had got the sail hoisted hand high—that was far as it could be got hand over hand, the haulyards were passed over the roller. The roller was fixed into a timber in the boat’s side. When the haulyards were put over the roller, deceased sat down on the gunwale and put his foot on a timber behind the block. Witness was inside the deck behind the deceased, and the others were sitting behind him. Deceased was on the gunwale, and while giving an extra haul on the haulyards and pulling with all his might, the haulyards slipped off the roller, were jerked out of his hand, and he went into the water. The boat was going about six knots an hour the time. Everything had been cleared up and stowed below, so there was nothing to throw to the man in the water. Witness threw the haulyards to him but that was of no use. Thomas Reid was the deceased’s name, and he was married, and 34 years of age, and the son of David Reid and Ann Burrows or Reid. They did not recover his body. The helm was put hard a-port to bring the boat to the wind, but about two minutes after the deceased went overboard he sank. Witness did not see him sinking, but he went to get a tackle and put it the sail when Alex. Johnson said to him “Ye needna care aboot it, Willie ; he’s awa,” They did not go back to the spot where the accident occurred, there being no use as the man had sunk.

By the Court—There was nothing to throw to the man in the water, and in the confusion they were all upset. There were oars on the boat’s deck they might have thrown to him, but they did not think of it at the time.

Q.—Do not fishing boats carry lifebuoys.

A. Winter boats carry lifebuoys, but summer herring fishing boats seldom do. There was nothing like a lump of cord or anything that sort about the deck that could throw in cases this kind.

Mr Fraser—Was the sail on the side the man fell over

Alexander Johnson deponed that he was a miner, but went to the fishing as a hired hand. He was a hand on the boat Prospects Ahead, of Cellardyke, on 5^th June. After leaving Lerwick harbour on that date they were shortening sail of the Brethren rocks. After they shortened sail they had got the sail hand high, and then took the haulyards to the roller. Witness was standing behind the roller. Deceased was next the in setting up the sail the haulyards came out and he went overboard. The roller was about four inches in diameter and two inches above the deck. There was no catch on it to prevent the haulyards slipping. The roller was about five inches in length. Thomas Anderson (28), first hand on the Prospects Ahead, deponed that he resided at 25 Shore Street, Cellardyke, and along with Wm Sutherland owned the boat Thomas Reid had a share in the nets, and the rest of the crew were hired men. These men received a fifteenth share of the earnings. Reid would have got the same, and something extra for his nets. He then gave corroborative evidence as to how the accident happened. By the Court—The roller is of iron and just like the sheave of block. There was nothing it to prevent a rope slipping off. were trying to work the boat up to windward when they saw the accused had sunk, and therefore it was no further use.

Alex. Johnson (recalled) deponed that the man did not call out when he fell overboard. Witness saw him sink about two minutes from the time of his going into the water. He was about a mile and half from the boat when he sank.

The Sheriff—A mile and a half there must be something wrong there, if he was only two minutes in the water before he disappeared, and the boat going six miles an hour. He could not have been a mile and a half away.

Witness —It might have been a mile. I could not say exactly.

Q.—Did anyone else beside you see him sink ?

A.—Yes; William Sutherland.

Q.—How long did you spend looking for him

A.—l could not tell. Perhaps ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

Q – None of you threw anything to him !

A.—No. Q, There was no small boat or lifebuoy or lifebelts !

A.—No ; there were oars about the deck, but none of us thought of throwing any

Andrew Gowans, miner, 64 Dewery Street, Methil, deponed that he was miner, but went to the herring fishing in the summer season. He gave corroborative evidence as to deceased falling overboard.

The Sheriff—How far was he from the boat when sank?

A.—About half a mile. There was nothing thrown to him, as we all lost our presence of mind in a case like that. We looked for him until he had sunk out of sight.

By Mr Fraser—The sail did not come down to the deck when the haulyards slipped off the roller, as the men held on and kept the sail up.

James Anderson, grocer’s assistant, Dove Street, Cellardyke, deponed that he was hand on the Prospects Ahead when the accident happened. He was steering the boat at the time, but owing to the mizzen sail he could not see ahead. He saw Reid being carried past the stern of the boat where he was sitting steering. The boat was travelling about six miles hour, and witness had nothing at his hand that he could throw to the man overboard. He put down the helm, and the boat came up to the wind, and she went to windward until they saw the man went down.

This concluded the evidence, and Mr Galloway addressed the jury, asking them to find a verdict in accordance with the evidence. Sheriff Moffatt then briefly addressed the jury, informing them that all they had to do was to find a verdict in terms of the prayer of the petition that deceased met with his death by accidentally falling overboard from the boat Prospects Ahead, about 11 miles from the Brethren rocks, and being drowned. In the course of his remarks he referred to these fishing boats not carrying lifebuoys. For safety, and possibly for the saving of life, there should be some lifebuoy or lifebelt, or something that would float, lying handy on the deck, which could be thrown by someone from the boat to anyone who chanced to fall into the water. There were oars on the deck of this boat, but the skipper told them they did not think of them at the time; and another of the crew said they lost their presence of mind. That was very unfortunate, but they could not be held blameworthy. The initial cause was the haulyards slipping over the end of the roller, and that could be made preventable by having something placed on the end so that they could not slip. But they—the jury—bad nothing to do with that. All they had to do was to record their opinion to how the death of the deceased Thomas Reid was caused. Without leaving the dock the .jury, through W. Dalgliesh, intimated that they found the accident had happened as stated in the Fiscal’s petition. Shetland Times – Saturday 13 July 1901

MAN LOST OFF ABERDEEN TRAWLER. The steam trawler Lochnagar, belonging the Loch Line Steam Trawling Company, which left Aberdeen for the fishing grounds on Thursday, returned to the Albert Basin on Friday, and the captain. George Grimmer, reported having lost overboard one of his deck hands. Robert Dickson, residing at 70 Wales Street, Aberdeen. It appears that while the Loohnagar was about 100 miles off Aberdeen early on Friday morning, Dickson was struck by the boom of the after mizzen, and knocked overboard. The alarm was at once raised, and a search was made for the missing deck hand, but in vain. The vessel then turned about and returned to the harbour, when the captain reported the matter at the Board of Trade Office and the police. Deceased, who was a native of Cellardyke, was married, and leaves a widow and five children to mourn his loss. Aberdeen Press and Journal – Wednesday 25 December 1901

1902

MORE SAD NEWS FROM FIFE. ANOTHER BOATING DISASTER FEARED. FATE OF ANSTRUTER VISITORS. Great anxiety prevails in Anstruther regarding the safety of two visitors, an anxiety that has now deepened into belief that the worst has happened. Following so soon after the disaster at Leven, but a few miles to the west, it is not surprising the circumstances are exciting the community in an extraordinary degree. William Watson, a native of Cellardyke, but resident in Aberdeen and of the crew of the steam trawler Faith, and John Swanson, swimming master, engaged in one of the Edinburgh baths, who had both come to spend a holiday in Anstruther, set off Wednesday after dinner for a sail.

 At the last moment they decided to go the May. Their boat, the Maggie Brown, a partan yawl, belonging to Mr William Sutherland, was a smart craft, a little over twenty feet long, and rigged with a lugsail. Few other crafts were out so far, and no townsmen spoke them, but the island had been made all right. Both men were spoken to by the lighthouse keepers, and as they put off from the May about seven o’clock, Watson remarked that he intended to show his friend round the island.

Shortly after the light craft was observed tacking round the South Ness, holding east, then the helm was put up, throwing her on a southerly course. Thinking the visitors intended making for Dunbar or North Berwick, the keepers paid no further attention to her. That was the last seen of the yawl and crew so far as is known.

As night fell those at home became alarmed, but they could do nothing. Next day inquiries were instituted in every direction, and, acting on the information secured from the May, telegrams were sent to Berwick, Dunbar, and other ports. Nothing had been observed from the south shore, and it is feared that in the grey of Tuesday night the craft must have heeled over, struck by a flange, and sunk.

Circumstances which make the accident all the more pathetic are that one of the supposed victims was revisiting the scenes he left twelve years ago and mixing with his old companions. All gave William Watson hearty welcome, and were glad to hear from him how well the Faith was doing. This steam trawler was an experiment by Mr Stephen Williamson, who, anxious to see how his old townsmen would act a modern craft, had her built, and placed Skipper Michael Doig and a Cellardyke crew in charge. They did well, and Watson had run south for a brief holiday, bringing one of his children. He met Mr Swanson two or three times since the latter, accompanied by his wife and two children, came from Edinburgh to spend the week in Anstruther. The anxiety of Mrs Swanson and her children is exciting the liveliest sympathy in their terrible position, and deeply also do those in Anstruther feel for Mrs Watson and her children in Aberdeen, eight of a family being left.

The only gleam of nope is that the yawl had met with an accident to the mast or sail, and that the men had been picked up by ship outward bound. Dundee Courier – Friday 18 July 1902

The Anstruther Fishing fleet were caught in the storm of last Wednesday at sea, but Friday morning all the boats had been accounted for save two. At night, however, one turned up and reported that her sails had been torn to shreds, and she could make no headway until the crew had rigged out a small sail. The other boat not coming back by Saturday morning, considerable anxiety began to be felt in Anstruther and Cellardyke as to its safety. The boat is the Brothers, of Anstruther, Skipper William Watson, Cellardyke, being the captain and owner. From the particulars gleaned it appears the boat left Aberdeen on Tuesday for the fishing grounds and was last seen on Wednesday afternoon, when the gale was at its height, about 45 miles off Aberdeen, making for the Firth of Forth. Since then no trace of her has been seen, and the fear is now very general in the fishing community that she has foundered. In order that a complete search might made for her, five of the Anstruther steam liners left Anstruther on Saturday afternoon, each taking a different course, so as to cover as much of the seaboard and fishing grounds between Anstruther and Aberdeen, the intention being that all crews meet, at Aberdeen Sunday morning, and if nothing came of their search, to sail home to Anstruther, and scour the whole the sea again. The boat was well found, and the crew on board were the following . Wiliam Watson, 60, wife, and four family, grown-up; his two sons, Adam and Alexander Watson, aged 24 and 21 years respectively: David Muir, fisherman, unmarried; William Peat fisherman, Cellardyke, unmarried: and two hired hands from Broughty Ferry, one of whom was named Charles Norrie. ( the other was David Ferrier) One of the Skipper’s sons, Alexander, was a cabinetmaker and only left employment in Glasgow eight weeks ago to help his father at the drave, thinking that the change might improve his health; while Peat was to have been married next week, Telegraphing last night, an Anstruther correspondent says-The five steam liners which left Anstruther on Saturday afternoon in search of the missing boat arrived home tonight. Their arrival was waited on by large crowds of people who lined the pier. On leaving Anstruther, each liner steered a different course and some went as far as 73 miles, but, unfortunately, without seeing anything of the missing boat or any of the gear- One the liners hailed an Aberdeen trawler the crew of which had been fishing the vicinity where the boat was last seen, but had come across nothing. The crew of the steam liner Frigate Bird, Aberdeen, who had last seen the Brothers on Wednesday, were interviewed, but all they could say was that the skipper, between nine and ten o’clock that morning, was carrying every stitch of canvas he had, making for the Firth Forth, and had their gear lying on the lee side. All hope has now been abandoned. The disaster has cast quite a gloom over the community. Watson, the skipper, was a very prominent and successful fisherman, and was well known all over the north-east coast of Scotland. His family have had more than their own share of the ‘fatalities of the sea,’ his father and three brothers-in-law having been drowned a number of years ago by the foundering of the boat Garland.ies of the sea,’ his father and three brothers-in-law having been drowned a number of years ago by the foundering of the boat Garland. Shields Daily News – Monday 08 September 1902

CELLARDYKE MAN KILLED ON BOARD TRAWLER.—The crew of the trawler Stork on reaching the Fish Dock at Dundee on Tuesday night had a particularly sad report to make, Mr Thomas Ritchie, the master, having been killed about 60 miles off Aberdeen on Tuesday morning. While the crew were hauling up the gear it fouled with a supposed wreck, and the ship swigging round, the propeller became entangled. The Stork then became perfectly helpless, and lay like log on the water. The master went forward to see it anything could be done, when a heavy sea struck the vessel on the quarter. Mr Ritchie was knocked down, and his head came in violent contact with the bollard. When the crew went so his assistance, they found him unconscious. He was bleeding profusely from a wound on the left side of the head and from the nose and mouth, while his chest was seriously injured. He was removed below, but died in a few minutes. Deceased was 26 years of age, and lived in St Matthew Street, Dundee. A particularly sad circumstance in connection with the affair is that Mr Ritchie was married only three weeks age. Ritchie was a native of Cellardyke, and the news of his sad death was received with general regret and sympathy in Cellardyke on Wednesday. – East of Fife Record – Friday 19 December 1902

1903

FISHERMAN DROWNED OUT 0F CELLARDYKE BOAT AT SHETLAND.—On Wednesday afternoon last week while the fishing boat Prestige, KY. 196, Skipper Adam Reid, Cellardyke, was returning from the fishing to Balta Sound one of her crew was drowned. The wind was blowing from the south-west very strongly, and when about seven miles from Balta Island Richard Doyle and another man were changing the sail over, when the boat gave a sudden lurch throwing both men into the sea. A rope was thrown and one of them caught hold and was got on board. Doyle failed to catch the rope and sank in three minutes. The accident was observed by a Fraserburgh boat but they were unable to rescue Doyle, who had been engaged by the skipper for some years back, and was well liked and respected by the fishermen. East of Fife Record – Friday 10 July 1903

1904

DISTRESSING FATALITY AT ANSTRUTHER. TWO BROTHERS DROWNED . One of the most distressing drowning accidents which has occurred in the East of Fife district for some years happened at Anstruther off the harbour, at an early hour on Monday morning, resulting in the loss of two brothers, young Cellardyke fishermen. Shortly before ten o’clock the fishing fleet and liners were making for the north. Among the first of the boats to sail out was the boat Thistle, K.Y 372, skipper and owner James Deas, Rodger Street, Cellardyke. He had on board his two sons, John, 22 years of age, and Alexander, 14, who was making his first voyage to the fishing. The boat had got outside the harbour about 20 yards from the west pier, and the crew were bringing her round to the wind, when the hook of the mizzen sail caught hold of Alexander who was sitting at the helm, the rest of the crew being forward assisting to hoist the foresail to its full extent. Catching a grip of his clothing, and the sail flapping with the wind, the young lad was dragged overboard. The accident was seen from the piers, and the crew were made aware of it. His brother John leaped from the boat and swam to the spot to try and effect a rescue. The father and the rest of the crew at once took steps to turn the boat, and it was seen that John had managed to catch hold of his brother, but very soon both disappeared, the father and the other members of the crew being eye witnesses of the last struggle. Two fishermen standing on the east pier jumped into the water, but by the time they reached the spot both had gone down. The alarm had been given by this time, and very quickly a number of yawls were got out with grappling irons, while the Thistle was brought into the harbour. In a comparatively short time the piers were lined with large crowds who watched the dredging operations, which were carried on the whole day. A net was also dragged several times over the place. The work went on until after six o’clock at night, when one volunteer crew succeeded in bringing up the body of the eldest, John. It was brought ashore in the presence of a large concourse of spectators, and taken in a machine to Mr Deas’ house in Rodger Street, Cellardyke. The dredging was continued up to a late hour, for the other body, but without result. It was began again on Tuesday morning, and carried on until nearly noon, but unfortunately without any trace of the body being got. The sad accident cast quite a gloom over the community, and out of respect the boats and steam liners hoisted their flags half mast high. General sympathy was extended to Mr and Mrs Deas at the sad loss they had sustained in the death of two bright lads. who were general favourites in the community. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon to Kilrenny Churchyard, a good number of mourners being present. East of Fife Record – Friday 29 July 1904

( another report has the boys aged 21 and 15. In the 1901 census in Kilrenny they were 18 and 12, It obviously will depend on when their birthdays were in relation to the date of the census, whatever their true ages they were tragically young to be lost at the mouth of the harbour.)

1905

A distressing disaster occurred in the Firth of Forth, resulting in the drowning of a Cellardyke fisherman, and the loss of a Cellardyke fishing boat and all the belongings. The large boat Cornucopia, belonging to Skipper Thomas Bett, was about four o’clock in the morning, lying at the nets, with the regulation lights burning when she was run into by H.M.S. gunboat Speedwell, cut in two and lost. Three of the crew succeeded in jumping on board the Speedwell, but the others were flung into the water, and while three were saved, the other, Robert Smith, Cellardyke, was drowned. The men were afterwards taken to Leith where they were well treated at the Sailors’ Home, and sent home in the evening. The crew of the boat complain of the treatment meted out to them on board the gunboat, and a strict inquiry will be made into the disaster. A preliminary inquiry was made into the circumstances on behalf of the Admiralty on Monday at Queensferry, and a Court Martial will he held on an early date at Sheerness. The disaster caused a great sensation in Anstruther and district on Saturday, and the matter was brought before the House of Commons yesterday by a question put by Captain Ellice to the Secretary of the Admiralty. East of Fife Record – Friday 03 March 1905

CELLARDYKE. FISHERMAN’S DEATH AT SCARBOROUGH— Scarcely a year passes without some serious mishap occurring at the South fishing, and early though the present season is, death has occurred of a Cellardyke fisherman, who left Anstruther harbour on the 18th instant. Last Sunday morning, a telegram was received by the Rev. James Ray announcing the death of David Stevenson, Rodger Street, and on the news becoming know a wide spread sympathy was evoked for the family. The newspapers on Monday stated that Stevenson was one of the crew of the boat Integrity. On Saturday night while crossing, a number of boats lying in Scarborough harbour to reach the Integrity Stevenson fell in between two. He was got out, and artificial respiration was resorted to. He recovered consciousness, but lingered on in life for five hours when he died.

Stevenson was 50 years of age, and leaves a young family of four, his second wife having predeceased him a few months ago. He was well known and much respected in the district. The body was brought to Anstruther by rail, arriving on Tuesday morning. The interment took place on Wednesday afternoon to Kilrenny Church yard.

INQUEST —At Scarborough on Monday night, an inquest was held on David Stevenson (50) of Cellardyke. The evidence showed that deceased was a sober man. On Saturday night he was returning to the Kirkcaldy herring boat Integrity, when he stumbled and fell into the harbour. David Nicoll, of the Montrose herring boat Chevalier Wassa, pluckily dived in and rescued Stevenson. Although only about a minute had elapsed, Stevenson was unconscious. Artificial respiration was successfully resorted to, and Dr Hutton then ordered hie removal to the hospital, where he died five hours later from shock consequent on immersion. Coroner Taylor commented on the singular fact that a healthy man should have died from shock after so short an immersion. The evidence also showed that when the deceased stumbled into the harbour, the light was obstructed by a pile of herring barrels. Several jurymen —These ought not to have been there. Mr Stephenson, Secretary to the Harbour Commissioners, replying to the Coroner, said the matter would be taken notice of, but at the same time, be observed that Scarborough harbour was one of the best lighted in the country. The jury returned a verdict that death was accidental. They expressed their admiration of the plucky and prompt conduct of Nicoll There was a very impressive scene at Scarborough between nine and ten o’clock on Monday night, when the body of David Stevenson was removed to Scotland for burial. The hearse was followed to the railway station by over two hundred Scottish Fishermen with hats reverently raised. – East of Fife Record Friday 29 September 1905

CELLARDYKE. FISHERMAN DROWNED AT YARMOUTH. —A feeling of gloom was cast over the community on Saturday, when the sad intelligence was received of the drowning of Robert Stewart, (21), off Yarmouth. Stewart sailed with his father, Skipper John Stewart, who, with a Cellardyke crew is at present carrying the steam drifter Rambler, of North Shields. While the Rambler was returning to Yarmouth from the fishing grounds on Saturday morning, and when about one mile from the Corton Lightship, and five miles from Yarmouth, a sea washed over her and swept Stewart who, with the rest of the crew, was engaged forward. overboard. The vessel was at once put about, but before any help could be rendered Stewart had disappeared. The skipper cruised about for a while, but eventually he had to leave the spot and proceed to Yarmouth. Much sympathy has been extended to the parents of deceased, who was mach respected by his friends and acquaintances. East of Fife Record – Friday 17 November 1905

John Stewart (husband of Mary Ann Bett) and his brother Robert, owned a sailing fishing boat between them. They had decided to rent a steam vessel and soon fell upon The Rambler. Before a deal could be struck, John Stewart was taken ill with flu and confined to bed. He had misgivings about The Rambler…feeling it didn’t have much protection for it’s crew in poor weather and intended speaking to his brother to persuade him it wasn’t the boat for them. However, Robert went ahead and bought the boat without consulting John! Young Robert was a deck hand on the boat and one of the first trips to Yarmouth he was washed overboard and drowned. John blamed his brother for the loss of his son and two brothers never spoke again. Robert drowned on the 11^th of Nov 1905. …and his death is recorded in the Marine Deaths register….not in the normal county records. Information from Susan Cathcart

Wreck of a Trawler at Mouth of Ythan. -Three Lives Lost. -Another disastrous wreck has to be recorded on the east coast of Aberdeenshire. The scene of the wreck this time was about  a mile north of the month of the river Ythan. The steam trawler Star of Hope, belonging to the Walker Trawling Co., Aberdeen, and employed under the command of Captain Gall, in the service of the Fishery Board, left Aberdeen at nine o’clock Monday forenoon for scientific research in Aberdeen. Alter passing Donmouth they used the trawl net and fished with varying success till 1 a.m. Tuesday morning. The night was very dark, there was slight haze, and the wind was blowing fresh from the south or south-west. Between one and two o’clock a terrible shock was felt and the crew knew that the vessel bad run ashore. effort was made to back the vessel off, but was filling rapidly and within fifteen minutes her decks were awash, and eight of the crew betook themselves to the top of the galley and another climbed into the forerigging. Flares were kept burning at intervals in the hope attracting attention ashore. The sea swept the vessel all over, lying as she did broadside on to the rocks, and the men on the roof of the galley had to lash themselves best they might to the mizzen mast and ratlines to keep there. A weary night was passed, and about 6 o’clock the last flare was burnt, but there was still no sign of assistance. The chief engineer, Mr Henderson, had been strenuous in his endeavours to keep up his youngest son, the fireman, a lad of 16, but the boy gradually succumbed to the exposure, and, losing his hold, was carried into the scuppers. The assistant officer of the Fishery Board, Mr John Burgoyne, was next struck a heavy sea and washed overboard, no attempt rescue being possible. The second engineer, also son of the chiefs, was the next to succumb to the terrible exposure. The forenoon dragged slowly on for the ship-wrecked men, and it was past ten o’clock when they caught a sign from the shore that their situation was perceived. John Walker, fisherman, Collieston, discovered the wreck and reported once to the Coast Guard at Collieston. They arrived at the wreck about 1230, and succeeded in saving six of the crew. Even then, however, it was almost one o’clock when the coastguard rocket apparatus got a line fast. One after the other the six survivors and the two dead bodies were conveyed through the surf, distance of some 100 feet by the cradle. The survivors were hospitably treated at the hotel in Collieston, and four of the crew came to Aberdeen last night, leaving the cook, who had not recovered from his terrible night’s exposure, and the bereaved engineer, who remained with the bodies of his two sons. It doubtful whether the vessel will be got off, but in Captain Gall’s opinion the successful floating of the trawler will difficult, if not impossible.

THE MEN LOST.

The names of those lost are Andrew Henderson (20), second engineer.

William Henderson, fireman (16), both sons of the chief engineer, and residing 53 Menzies Road, Torry and both single men.

John Burgoyne (30), 49 Menzies Road, Torry, married and one child.

THE SURVIVORS. The survivors are:

William Gall, master, 26 Walker Road, Torry.

Alexander Ross, mate, Wood’s Buildings, Grampian Road, Torry.

William Murray, second fisherman, 59 Walker Road, Torry.

James Gault, deck hand, 59 Walker Road, Torry.

John Henderson, chief engineer, 53 Menzies Road, Torry.

 James May, cook, 8 Mealmarket Street.

The two latter remained for a time at the scene the disaster, Mr Henderson, unfortunately, having to make arrangements for conveying the remains of his two sons —who acted under him aboard the vessel —to Aberdeen, The remains of William Henderson were conveyed to Aberdeen on Wednesday night, and in the course of the day the body of his brother Andrew was found. It may be mentioned that Mr Burgoyne was the superintendent on board the vessel acting for the Fishery Board. He was employed as a tank attendant at the Nigg Hatchery, and it was principally to augment the flat fish at this hatchery that the Star of Hope was sent out, the vessel being amply provided with tanks for the purpose of keeping the fish alive. Mr Burgoyne belonged to Dunbar, and had been twelve years in the service of the Fishery Board. His remains were removed to Torry on Wednesday.

Peterhead Sentinel and General advertiser for Buchan District 9^th December 1905

The chief mourners were Mr William Peters (step-father), .Mr Robert Brown, Mr William Bain, and Mr John Peters (brothers-in-law), Mr John Bain, and Sir John Campbell. Prior to the funeral of the brothers Henderson, short service was in the house by Rev. A. Macintvre, St Fittick’s Church, Torry. The chief mourners were Mr John Henderson (father), his brothers Andrew Henderson and Mr Leslie Henderson. his nephew Mr Alexander Henderson, his six brothers-in-law from Cellardyke Robert Montador, Mr James Dick,” Mr John Smith, Mr James Watson, Mr Robert M’Cruvie, and David Brown. Aberdeen Press and Journal 11 Dec 1905

1906

Two sad cases of loss of fishermen were reported at Anstruther this morning, on the arrival of the fishing fleet. The crew of the boat Elizabeth Keays, Cellardyke, had just finished hauling their gear, when the boat gave a lurch, sending Peter Boyter overboard. Every effort was made save him, but without avail. was 37 years old and unmarried, hut the support of his widowed mother. In the other case the St Monans boat Balmoral was heading up for home, when Alexander Gowans ( not included on our role as he was a St Monans fisherman on a St Monans boat) was thrown overboard by a lurch. was never seen again. He was 42, married, but family. The sad events caused great gloom among the fishing fleet, some of the crew of which are to-day ashore for the rest of the week. In the case of both men their fathers were lost in the same way number of years ago.

CELLARDYKE FISHERMAN DROWNED. The severe gales which raged the most of last week have left their mark behind thein, and among other fatalities were accountable for the loss of Cellardyke fisherman, David Moncrieff, aged 50 years. Deceased sailed in the local boat Nil Desperandum, has been engaged in the fishing Shields. Wednesday night when the accident occurred she was trying to gain the shelter of Shields Harbour, but was unable so, and put out again sea, when wave swept Moncrieff overboard. The boat arrived Anstruther Friday, when the sad intelligence was communicated the deceased’s sister, with whom he resided. Although a widower, Moncrieff leaves family. was much respected man throughout the town. Dundee Courier – Monday 21 May 1906

1907

DROWNING FATALITY IN CANADA. SAD FATE OF A CELLARDYKE NATIVE. The American mail of last week conveyed to Mr William Smith (Melville), 29 John Street, Cellardyke, the melancholy intelligence of the death by drowning of his eldest son, James, at Thornbury, Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday, April 30. The letter, which had evidently been despatched in a hurried manner in order to overtake the mail, contained only the most meagre intelligence of the sad fatality, and the fuller details are not yet to had. The available news contained in the letter, however, have been supplemented by explanatory statements by deceased’s father. Twelve years ago, the brothers Durham and James Smith left Cellardyke for Canada, in order to continue the prosecution of the calling of fishermen which they had begin here, and settled down at Thorubury, Ontario, where they have since resided up to the present time. Thorobury is a township of about 500 inhabitants, and is situated on Georgian Lake or Bay, the latter term being the one mostly used by residenters on its shores. The two principal towns nearest Thoruburyare Collingwood and Mayford, one being about eight, and the other twelve miles distant. Collingwood, in addition to being, like Mayford, a fishing town, has a large shipbuilding yard, and from these two places the fishing is prosecuted in steamers, which are likened to our local steam drifters. Thornbury, on the other hand, has almost entirely allowed its fishing population to dwindle away, until, out of its whole population, only the two brothers from Cellardyke could be placed in that category, with the exception of the farmers in the neighbourhood, who, when the fish begin to spawn, and come up to the lake shore, also seek, in addition to their labours of the land, to wrest a finny harvest from the waters of the lake. Thornbury, however, sticks to the sailing boats. Here the brothers James and Durham Smith chose to reside, and have for twelve years prosecuted the salmon, pike, and white fishing in the Georgian Bay, having for that purpose to leave home in the springtime, and go away in their boats—they take a large and a small one—to Squaw Island, which lies at a distance of 130 miles up the lake, away from Thornbury. At Squaw Island they continue to fish until Sep-tember, when they raturn home to Thornbury again. This year, as usual, deceased and his brother left in their boat for Squaw Island, but after having proceeded a good bit up the lake, they became beset among the ice, and had to return to Thornbury, to repair the large boat, which had become damaged among the ice, and had sprung a leak. They had been about a week at home again, and had got the leak repaired, when deceased one day told his brother that he intended to rise at 4 o’cock the next morning, and pump the water out of the boat. Punctually next morning, deceased proceeded to the boat, and after pumping all the water out of the larger vessel, he took the small beat, intending, it is supposed, to sail round the point to his house, instead of—as he might have done—crossing the bridge which spans the river at this point, and walking home. His wife, on his non arrival at breakfast time, felt no alarm, as it was thought that perhaps he had gone to his brother’s, and that the two of them would perhaps be preparing things for for leaving again. When, however, deceased failed to turn up for dinner, some misgivings were entertained, and a message was sent to his brother’s house. By this time, however, Durham had left for the boat, and it was only on his own arrival at the mooring place that ha made the shocking discovery of his brother’s death. The small boat was lying washed up on the shore, while James’ dead body was stretched a short distance away. It is conjectured that either the boat had upset, or deceased had stumbled overboard, but nothing definite can be known of the accident. Deceased, who was 37 years of age, married in Canada a few years ago, and his loss is mourned by a widow and one child. – It is recalled in connection with this melancholy accident that deceased’s action In leaving for Canada was at the time, the fortunate cause of his escaping drowning in the loss of the Cellardyke fishing boat, Lady of the Lake, which was lost at sea on the 16th of May, 1895. just twelve years ago. Deceased who was one of the crew of the Lady of the Lake, left that boat to accompany his brother to Canada, and it was only a few weeks afterwards that the boat was lost with all hands, the skipper, Alex. Davidson, being deceased’s uncle. Deceased; both at home and abroad, was for a young man, an experienced and a diligent fisherman. He was of a jovial light spirited nature, and his kind-heartedness made him a favourite in Cellardyke, both with old and young, previous to his departure Canada. His fellow fishers in this community have always followed with interest his career in the New World, as shown by the constant and numerous enquiries as to his well-being addressed by them to his father from time to time. It is, of course, his relations who have to bear the brunt of the blow caused by his death, but there are also his youthful acquaintances, who feel in his sudden and premature demise the loss of a friend, and a blank which only a reminiscence of schoolday sport will serve to fill. Cut off thus tragically and suddenly in the full vigour of manhood, his death severs a partnership which has lasted between his brother and he, as it were from infancy, and it comes all the more prematurely at a time, when the brothers were just beginning to reap the fruit of their years of pioneering in the lake and river fishings of Canada. The sympathy of the whole of the fishing community, as well as that of numerous acquaintances outside that circle. is extended to his bereaved and sorrowing relatives, both at home and in Canada,—where, in his adopted country, he has found his long home—who, in the freshness of their grief, are still looking for a familiar figure which only a pleasant reverie of bye gone days can now conjure up before them. and “waiting for a hand, A hand that can be clasped no more.” East of Fife Record – Friday 24 May 1907