390 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 21, 1913. THE COAL AHO IROR TRADES. Thursday, February 20. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The coal shipments have been less satisfactory in the past week, due in large measure to the carters’ strike at Glasgow, and to some extent also to the inadequate transit facilities of the railway companies. The aggregate clear- ances at the Scotch ports amounted to 298,943 tons, a decrease of 32,724 tons compared with the preceding week, and 14,980 tons less than in the corresponding week of 1912. At Glasgow the business was much handicapped by the difficulties of discharging and loading vessels, which are the result of the strike of carters—now in its fifth week. To some extent the dock labourers are aiding the carters by declining to handle goods, and the wharf sheds are blocked in such a way that, except in cases where loading takes place direct from the railway lines, little or no progress can be made. In the past week 32,123 tons of coal were despatched from Glasgow for abroad, and 34,468 coastwise, the total of 66,591 tons comparing with 74,799 in the pre- ceding week, and 38,026 in the corresponding week of last year, when business was much curtailed by the dockers’ strike. There are statements to the effect that the colliers are not working so well as might be desired, and so the quantities of coal available are restricted. This tends to keep the market firm at a time when the shipping demand is unsatisfactory. Splint coal is in good demand, and the better qualities of house coal and nuts find a ready market. House coal is somewhat dearer. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 13/6 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 15/ to 15/6 14/ to 14/6 13/9 to 14/3 13/6 to 14/ Last week’s prices. 13/6 to 14/6 13/6 to 14/6 15/ to 15/6 14/ to 14/6 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do The demand for coastwise shipment and for Ireland is well maintained, and there is a large consumption proceeding in country districts. Shipments at the lower Clyde ports were not so large as in the preceding week. At Bowling 326 tons were cleared, Greenock 413, Ardrossan 7,910, Troon 4,311, Irvine 1,412, and Ayr 15,143—total 29,515 tons, against 33,468 in the preceding week, and 46,226 in the corresponding week of last year. IRON. The prices of pig iron warrants have had a severe fall since last report, persistent “ bear ” selling from the south having sent down prices to lower level than anyone could have anticipated. Cleveland warrants have been sold from 64s. 3d. to 59s. 6d. cash, 65s. to 59s. 9d. one month, and 65s. 2d. to 59s. three months. These figures mark a decline of 7s. 6d. to 8s. per ton from the prices at which the iron sold at the beginning of the year. There was afterwards a considerable recovery from the above prices. Makers of the different kinds of pig iron have so far declined to follow the course of warrants, and they maintain their prices. Govan and Monkland are quoted at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 77s., Nos. 3, 75s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 76s.; Clyde and Calder, Nos. 1, 82s., Nos. 3, 77s.; Summerlee and Gartsherrie, Nos. 1,82s. 6d., Nos. 3,77s. 6d.; Langloan, No. 1, 83s. 6d., No. 3, 78s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 99s., No. 3, 81s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 77s., No. 3, 76s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 83s. 6d., No. 3, 78s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 78s., No. 3, 76s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 82s., No. 3, 77s.; Carron at Grangemouth, No. 1, 83s., No. 3, 78s. per ton. A large quantity of haematite pig iron is going into use at the steelworks, and the quotation for new business, which is somewhat quiet, is 88s. 6d. per ton. The past week’s shipments of Scotch pig iron were 4,599 tons, being 2,406 tons less than in the corresponding week of 1912. The arrivals at Grangemouth of pig iron from Middlesbrough and district were 15,724 tons, which exceeded those of the corresponding week by 1,150 tone. The finished iron trade has been less satisfac- torily employed, owing partly to the Glasgow carters’ strike, and also because of severe competition from America and the Continent. The steel trade is as busy as ever, there being a large amount of work in hand, but enquiries regarding future business are quiet. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. At some of the Firth of Forth ports, coal-shipping business has been active, while at others considerably less has been done. Coal supply and loading facilities are still unsatis- factory at Grangemouth. The clearances were, at the last- named ports 24,210 tons, Lai th 31,387, Granton 10,292, and Bo’ness 18,833—total 84,722 tons, compared with 108,267 in the preceding week, and 123,646 in the corresponding week of last year. While the shipments are thus only moderate jn amount, the collieries are very busy—being well filled with orders for several weeks ahead. The prices are firm and in some cases rather tend upward. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal Secondary qualities Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/9 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 Last week’s prices. 13/3 to 13/6 12/3 to 12/9 13/6 to 14/ 12/9 to 13/ 12/3 to 12/6 Inland business is active, house coal and manufacturing sorts being alike in demand at firm prices. Business in shipment of coal has been good at Fife ports. Loading has been proceeding in a satisfactory manner and supplies coming forward with comparative regularity. The week’s shipments were, at Methil 61,878 tons, Burntisland 50,730, Alloa 2,182, Dysart 2,161, Tayport 645, Wemyss 283, Charleston 236—total 118,115 tons, compared with 120,349 in the preceding week, and 106,025 in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. Last week’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 16/3 to 17/ 16/3 to 17/ Unscreened do 14/ to 14/6 14/6 to 15/ First-class steam coal 13/ to 13/6 13/ to 13/6 Third-class do 12/ 12/ Treble nuts 13/3 to 13/9 13/3 to 13/9 Double do 13/ to 13/3 13/ to 13/3 Single do 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ The outlook in the Fife coal trade is encouraging, both as regards export and inland business. Supplies are increasing and the facilities for shipment are also better than they were some time sgo. florthumberlandu Durham and Cleveland. ievcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 141,070 tons of coal, and 925 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 13,547 tons of coal, and 5,270 tons of coke when compared j with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 58,762 tons of coal, | and 2,681 tons of coke, a decrease of 42 tons of coal, and I 607 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments aggregated 100,115 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 5,271 tons. The allotment in respect of the Russian State railways’ requirements of up to 700,000 tons of steam coals over the year is expected 'this week-end. The heavy demand for fuel from this quarter is attributed to the Balkan conflict, the absence of sufficient supplies from the Donetz Basin, and the heavy demands accruing from the mobilisation of troops. In anticipation of the allotment < being favourable to this district, a considerable quantity of tonnage has been, taken up at a freight of about 6s., Tyne to Cronstadt, f.o.w. There is stated to be another heavy Chilian enquiry for steam coal in circulation. A cargo of 5,500 tons of steams for shipment to Bombay in March has been arranged for, and further supplies for the same destination are in negotiation. Tenders to supply the smaller Baltic gasworks with gas coals over the season have , wv.., ~_______ ....___ been sent in. The quantities include from 8,000 to 16,875 : Palmas at 9s. 6d. and Bombay 14s. Bay freights are steady tons for the Esbjerg Gasworks, 1,500 tons Wear specials for I with St. Nazaire 5s. 9d. and Lisbon 7s. 9d. There is more the Nykoping Gasworks, and 20,000 tons for- the Holtenau doing in Baltic; 6s. is offering for Upper Swedish ports. Gasworks. Some 7,000 tons of second-class Durham | and it is reported that 6s. has been done for 20,000 tons for unscreened bunkers have been sold for delivery over the I Malmo over the season in connection with one of the con- year at 13s. per ton, f.o.b., by second hand holders. Some tracts recently closed. Other fixtures are Kiel 5s. 10^d., inconvenience is being caused to local shippers of coal by Copenhagen 5s. 4|d., Malmo 5s. 9d. The coasting market the intimation that, in view of a strike of lightermen at is easy, with London at 3s. 6d. Hamburg, merchants here are requested to suspend coal shipments in that direction. Cargoes for works with their own discharging wharves, however, will not be affected. The coal market has been dull and weak since last report. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are lower in almost Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Last week’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. Beat, Blyths (D.C.B.) 14/3 to 14/6 14/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) 14/6 14/9 to 15/ Secondary, Blyths 13/6 13/6 to 14/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) 13/9 14/ Unscreened 12/6 to 13/ 13/ Small, Blyths 10/3 to 10/6 10/3 Do. Tynes 9/6 to 10/ 10/ Do. specials 10/6 11/ Other sorts:— Smithies 14/ to 14/6 14/6 Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) ... 14/ to 14/3 14/6 Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 13/3 to 14/ 13/6 Special gas coals 14/6 15/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 13/3 to 14/ 14/ to 14/6 Do. do. Northumbrians 12/6 to 13/ 13/ Coking coals 14/ to 14/6 14/6 to 15/ Do. smalls 13/ to 13/6 13/6 to 14/ House coals 15/6 15/6 to 16/ Coke, foundry 27/6 28/ Do. blast-furnace 24/6 25/ Do. gas 17/6 18/ ' every instance, the following changes being shown :—Best steams, Bly ths, are easier on the week; Tynes, 3d. to 6d. down; seconds, Blyths, 6d. decreased; Tynes, 3d. fallen • unscreened, weaker; smalls, Blyths, 3d. advanced; Tynes, easier; specials, 6d. down; smithies, in buyers’favour; gas bests, 3d. to 6d. fallen; seconds, weaker; specials, 6d. down; unscreened bunkers, Durhams, 6d. to 9d. down; North- umbrians, easier; coking coal, smalls, households and foundry, blastfurnace and gas cokes, all 6d. cheaper. Later.—The Konigsberg Gasworks have arranged with Newcastle firms for the supply of 80,000 tons of good Durham gas coal for delivery from now until March next year at a price stated at 18s. 3d. per ton, c.i.f. The Veile Gasworks have contracted for 2,000 tons of special Wear gas coals at 20s. 6d., and the Esbjerg Gasworks for 4,000 tons of similar coal at 18s. 7|d., c.i.f., shipment over the Baltic season in each instance. Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 106,490 tons of coal and 1,525 tons of coke, as compared with 104,660 tons of coal and 1,550 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912, being an increase of 1,830 tons of coal and 25 tons of coke. The coal trade is quiet. Colliery turns are well filled for this month’s loading. During the last day or two the market has been on the easy side owing to some “ bearing ” in certain sections, and prices in these cases have dropped 3d. to 6d. per ton; for forward loading the tone is steady, and better trade is expected after this month. The deferred Russian State Railways contract is expected to mature shortly, and this is having a somewhat stiffening effect. The Holtenau Gasworks are asking offers of 20,000 tons Durham gas coal for delivery over the season. A contract for 6,000 tons of good Durham bunkers has been placed for shipment next month at 14s. 6d. f.o.b., otherwise there is nothing special to report. Current quotations are as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 15/6 15/6 to 16/ Secondary do. 13/6 14/ House coals:— Best house coals 17/ 17/ Ordinary do i. 15/6 16/ Other sorts:— Lambton screened 15/3 15/9 South Hetton do 15/3 15/6 Lambton unscreened 14/3 14/ South Hetton do 14/3 14/6 Do. treble nuts 16/6 to 17/ 17/ Coking coals unscreened.. 14/3 14/6 Unscreened smalls 14/ to 14/6 14/6 Smithies 14/ to 14/9 14/3 to 14/9 Peas and nuts 16/ to 17/ 16/ to 17/ Best bunkers 14/6 14/6 Ordinary bunkers 13/9 13/9 Coke:— Foundry coke 28/ to 30/ 28/ to 29/ Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. Teesside furnaces) 24/6 to 25/ 24/6 to 25/6 Gas coke 17/6 17/6 Outward coal freights continue steady, although Mediterra- nean is inclined to sag. Fixtures are:—Genoa Ils., Civita Vecchia 12s., Venice 13s. 6d., Port Said Ils. 3d., with Las I Mlddlesbrou