22 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. _______________________________________________________________ January 1, 1915. __________ transactions at all until some means could be devised for the collection of accounts. It was currently reported that many private consumers abroad had made arrange- ments for obtaining supplies of coal from America, and, as a fact, large quantities of American coal were being shipped to Italy, Egypt, and Greece. Exports during the month showed an improvement, amounting to 1,382,222 tons, compared with 2,486,989 tons in September of 1913, or a decrease of 1,104,767 tons. From Cardiff there wrere shipped 898,098 tons, or 777,263 tons below the corresponding month; from Newport, 270,994 tons, or a decrease of 81,805 tons; from Swansea, 143,838 tons, or a decline of 148,940 tons; and from Port Talbot, 96,292 tons, or a shrinkage of 96,759 tons. October. There was practically no change,.in the market so far as best Admiralty coals were concerned, as almost the whole of the available supplies were retained by the Admiralty for Naval purposes. Permission was granted to ship under contract to coaling depots, but the quantity of free coal on the market was very small, as contractors were naturally anxious to take delivery under their contracts wherever possible. The financial difficulty was -relieved to some extent by Government interven- tion, more especially in the case of France, Italy, and Spain. Chartering was proceeding more briskly towards the end of the month, notwithstanding Admiralty restrictions, and there was considerable activity in the market for requirements for Genoa, South America, and the northern ports of France. There wias a slight decline in the quotations for best steams, which receded Is. during the month, and the fall of Antwerp exercised a depressing effect on the small coal trade, and this was considered an important market for the disposal of Welsh coming with regard to the Algerian contract for 102,000 tons of patent fuel, but a rumour was current that the bulk of the business had been secured by Spanish makers. The Brazilian Government followed the example of Chile, and placed an order for 150,000 tons with American producers. The North of Spain contract for patent fuel was divided between Spanish makers and a local firm. The quantity asked for was 62,500 tons, of which 25,000 tons were placed with Messrs. Morgan, Wakley and Company, at a price not disclosed. The Greek Government once more came into the market for 100,000 tons of best Admiralty coal, but at the time of writing no definite information had come to hand as to the result. During this month the patent fuel trade became very quiet. In several instances works were actually closed down temporarily, whilst in others the1 output was reduced to about a fourth of the normal quantity. Best brands continued to be offered at 17s. to 17s. 6d., and second grades at 16s. to 16s. 6d. per ton. Prices of best Admiralty coal were a shade firmer, and an improvement was also recorded in bunkers, but other descriptions were practically unaltered. Shipments during the month totalled 1,419,492 tons, compared with 2,382,723 tons in the corresponding month of 1913, or a decrease of 963,231 tons. From Cardiff the exports were 878,399 tons; from Newport, 209,538 tons; from Swansea, 219,201 tons; and from Port Talbot, 112,354 tons, a decrease in each case. December. In the early part of the month the trade of the district was being carried on under very adverse conditions. The bad weather seriously affected the arrival of tonnage, and in the first fortnight of the month business became exceedingly difficult, the result being that abnormally high rates had to be paid not only for the Cardiff. Newport, Swansea. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. January .......... 1,606,132 ... 429,147 ... 160,403 ... 316,558 February ........ 1,656,652 ... 403,805 ... 156,380 ... 303,953 March........... 1,624,112 ... 455,674 ... 139,203 ... 245,137 April ............ 1,524,846 ... 361,758 ... 140,813 ... 203,284 May .............. 1,699,716 ... 306,726 ... 134,314 ... 294,265 June ........... 1,433,844 ... 364,610 ... 135,418 ... 232,227 July.............. 1,785,781 ... 376,542 ... 138,844 ... 286,835 August*......... 639,369 ... 270,762 ... 62,094 ... 130,775 September* ...... 898,098 ... 270,994 ... 69,292 ... 143,838 October*.......... 1,076,781 ... 339,127 ... 87,662 ... 196,138 November* ...... 878,399 ... 209,538 ... 112,354 ... 219,201 * War period. Below is printed a table showing the quantity of coal shipped coastwise from the Bristol Channel to various ports of the United Kingdom, and also the quantities supplied for bunkering purposes during the years 1914 and 1913 :— Total cargo. Total bunkers. Tons. 1914. Tons. 1913. 'Tons. 1914. Tons. 1913. January . 335,430 . .. 290,304 . .. 398,167 . .. 467.546 February . 273,509 . .. 256,646 . .. 353,952 . .. 377,363 March . 358,435 . .. 293,722 . .. 382,800 . .. 383,587 April . 359,716 . .. 346,102 . .. 347,482 . .. 321,143 May . 301,456 .. .. 298,818 .. .. 397,365 . 346,986 June . 373,241 . .. 344,274 . .. 306,692 . .. 349,430 July . 298,121 .. 346,617 .. .. 392,399 . .. 406,570 August . 140,518 .. .. 305,794 .. .. 199,943 .. 347,963 September .. . 169,759 . .. 340,058 . .. 311,030 . .. 396,474 October . 168.656 .. .. 316,849 .. . 399,626 .. 428,625 November .. . 135,674 .. . 284,266 .. . 305,821 .. . 376,322 The following is the average declared price per ton of coal exported in each month from the under-mentioned ports :— Cardiff. Newport. ( . (--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:-----------------------------------------■------ Jan Feb. Mar. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Jan Feb. Mar April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Large steam .......................... 17/7 ...17/9 ...17/9 ...17/8 ...17/10...17/11...17/11...17/6 ...18/1 ...17/8 ...17/4 ... 16/3 ...16/7 ...16/9 ...16/5 ...16/7 ...16/8 ...16/6 ...16/6 ...16/10...16/8 16/8 Through-and-through ............... 13/3 ...14/1 ... 13/10...14/8 ...13/8 ...14/3 ...13/4 ...12/7 ...14/1 ...12/10... 13/0 ... 14/3 ...13/1 ...13/1 ...12/6 ...13,0 ...12/3 ...13/0 .. 13/2 ...13/5 13/3 ‘”13 0 Small ................................. 9/5 ... 9/7 ... 9/6 ... 9/7 ... 9/10... 9/7 ... 9/7 .;. 8/5 ... 7 9 ... 7/7 ... 8/1 ... 11/1 ...10/8 ...10/9 ...11/1 ...113 ...10/11... 11/0 ... 9/10... 9/10 ’ 9,0 ”10/3 Large anthracite ...................... 26/8 ...23/2 ...26/10... — ...17/3 ...18/6 ...25/4 ...25/8 ...32/5 ...24/4 ...27/0 ... 28/3 ...21/5 ...22'1 ...29/6 ...18/0 ...23/8 ... — — 19/6 — — Household ...:.......................... 13/0 ...18/8 ...16/5 ...14/0 ... — .. 16/10...16,3 ...13/0 ...17/0 ... — ...18/0 ... — ... — ... — ... — ... — ... — ... — ... - .” — .” — — Swansea. Port Talbot. _________________________________________________________________________________ r . (-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jan. Feb. Mar. April. May. June July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Jan. Feb. Mar. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov Large steam ........................... 16/2 ...15/11...15/7 ...15/9 ...15/3 ...15/11... 15/5 ...16/9 .. 14/11...15/10...16/7 ... 17/3 ...16/10...16/7 ...17/1 ...17/2 ...16/11...16/7 ...19/1 ...17/2 ...16/11 18/5 Through-and-through ................ 11/4 ...10/10...11/0 ...10/11...11/1 ...10/9 ...10/10... 11/0 ...11/0 ..10/7 ...10/9 .. 11/10...12/1 ...11/6 ...11/11...11/10...12/4 ...11/9 ...11/11...11/5 11/9 "‘11/8 Small ______...................................... 10/2 H/l ...10/6 ... 9/2 ... 9/9 ... 9/11...10/0 ... 9/0 ... 9/0 ... 8/4 ... 8/10... 8/5 ... 8/4 ... 8/5 ... 8/8 ... 8/9 ... 8/10.. 8/11... 7/9 ... 7/4 8/4 ‘ 7/4 Large anthracite ....................... 18/8 ...18/8 ...18/8 ...16/10...16/5 ...17/2 ...15/0 ...16/7 ...16/11... 17/5 ...18/ ... 18/2 ...20/6 ...15/5 ...14/10...15/10... — ...13/7 ..18/10 12/0 *”18/8 ”’20/6 Household .................................... — ... — ... — ... — ...19/2 .. — ...18/3 ... — ... — ... — ... — ... 15/0 ...13/7 ...13/0 ..12/8 ...13/6 ...13/2 ...16/9 ...15/3 ...15/0 ..14/5 14 4 small coal. The Algerian State Railways came into the market for 102,000 tons of patent fuel for delivery between November and June. This business a year ago was secured by Germany, but it was considered probable that at least a portion of the contract would be placed in South Wales on this occasion. The North of Spain Railways contract, which went to Belgium last year, was also considered likely to be secured by South Wales. Large shipments of patent fuel were made during October. No definite figures were obtainable, but it was reported that several cargoes had been sent to Archangel for consumption on the Russian railways. The Chilian Navy were in the market for supplies extending from one to three years, but little interest was taken in the business owing to the extended character of the contractual period, and, as a matter of fact, the contract was later placed with American firms. In the pitwood trade it was satisfactory to note that quotations had once more reached a normal level, and transactions were recorded on the basis of 20s. At the end of this month it was estimated that no fewer than 20,000 miners had joined the Colours, and consequently the loss of output was computed at something like 300,000 to 400,000 tons per week. Foreign shipments again showed an improvement, the total being 1,699,708 tons, com- pared with 2,586,901 tons in October of 1913, or a decrease of 887,193 tons. From Cardiff there were exported 1,076,781 tons, or a decrease of 638,575 tons; from Newport, 339,127 tons, or 29,542 tons less; from Swansea, 196,138 tons, or 127,457 tons below last year, and from Port Talbot, 87,662 tons, or a decline of 91,619 tons. November. The principal feature in the early part of this month was the detrimental effect on the market owing to the inclusion of Turkey in the sphere of the war operations, and the position was at once reflected in the freight market. Rates wTere immediately advanced from 2s. to 3s. per ton, especially for the upper Mediterranean and Eastern ports, and these were increased as the weeks rolled by. At the end of October 8s. was readily accepted for Genoa, and there was a steady advance until, at the end of the month, 19s. was demanded for Genoa. Pont Said rose from 6s. 9d. to 20s., Venice from 7s. 6d. to 20s., Marseilles from 7*60 fr. to 15 fr., Gibraltar from 5s. 9d. to 10s. 6d., and Barcelona from 7s. 6d. to 12s. South American freights also increased from 12s. to 18s., and proportionate advances were also recorded to northern French ports. In addition, high homeward rates were being offered from South America, with the result that a large quantity of tonnage was diverted to the American seaboard. The consequence was a marked shortage in home ports, and the position was intensified by the report that no fewer than 1,300 steamers were on time charter with the Admiralty. Many enquiries came on to the market for supplies over next year, but business was extremely difficult to arrange owing to Government restrictions. The French Railways invited tenders for 95,000 tons of small and 20,000 tons of large coal for delivery within the next three months. No definite information was forth- Mediterranean, but for ports in the Red Sea and other destinations. Charterings throughout the month were fairly satisfactory, but as Admiralty business was not disclosed, there was the greatest possible difficulty in coming to close terms with regard to new business. Very little coal of best quality was on offer, and although 20s. to 22s. was nominally quoted, there was practically nothing done at these figures. Second qualities were negotiated at 19s., and in some cases even at 19is. 6d., but ordinaries commanded 17s. 6d. to 18s. Owing to the limited outputs of large coal there was a scarcity of smalls, and buyers attempted to make the best of their opportunity. Best bunkers ranged from 12s. to 12s. 6d., and cargo qualities from 10s. to 11s., with a tendency to go even still higher. At the end of the year business was brisk, but prices in most cases were exceptionally fair. The shipments from the Bristol Channel for the 11 months ending November 30 amounted to 22,521,401 tons, as against 27,348,209 tons for the same period in 1913, being a decrease of 4,826,808 tons. It should be remembered, however, that from August onwards Admiralty shipments are not included. The following table gives the foreign exports for each year from 1911 to 1914 inclusive :— 1911. 1912. 1913. 1914. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. January .... 2,080,213 ... 2,434,907 ... 2,693,268 ... 2,512,240 February.... 2,156,398 ... 2,450,603 ... 2,302,580 .. 2,520,790 March ...... 2,204,710 ... 699,238 ... 2,447,110 ... 2,464,126 April ........ 1,900,977 ... 476,391 ... 2,717,016 2,230,701 May ........ 2,381,123 ... 2,545,999 ... 2,187,753 ... 2,435,021 June ........ 1,875,768 ... 2,047,130 ... 2,475,292 . 2,166,099 July ........ 1,756,083 ... 2,801,866 ... 2,873,830 ... 2,588,002 August ...... 1,863,173 ... 2,387,934 ... 2,142,151 ... 1,103,000 September ... 2,172,636 ... 2,387,536 ... 2,510,338 1,382,222 October...... 2,186,051 ... 2,793,364 ... 2,616,148 ... 1,699,708 November.... 2,236,608 ... 2,614,539 ... 2,382,723 ... 1,419,492 December.... 2,386,036 ... 2,486,237 ... 2,502,338 ... —* 25,199,786 ...26,125,744 ...29,850,547 ...22,521,401 * No return to hand for December. Below is a table showing the total exports from the principal ports of the Channel, together with the increase or decrease compared with the corresponding months of 1913. In this case also Admiralty shipments from August are not included. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. January.............. 2,512,240 ... — ... 181 028 February ............ 2,520,790 ... 218,210 — March________________ 2,464,126 ... 17,016 ... — April.................. 2,230,701 ... — ... 486,315 May.................. 2,435,021 ... 247,268 ... — June.................. 2,166,099 ... — . 309,193 ...... July .................. 2,588,002 ... — ... 285,828 August .............. 1,103,000 ... — ... 1,039,151 September............ 1,382,222 ... — ... 1,128 116 October .............. 1,699,708 ... — ... 916*440 November ............ 1,419,492 ... — ... 963,231 The following table shows the exports from each of the chief Welsh ports for each month from January to November :— SCOTLAND. First Quarter. It can hardly he said that the coal trade at the beginning of 1914 realised expectations, and it was practically the end of January before a normal condition of things was approached. The tone of the market was firm, however, and prices steady. Steam coal was quoted, f.o.b. at Glasgow, 13s. to 14s. 6d.; ell, 13s. 9d. to 14s.; splint, 13s. 9d. to 17s.; treble nuts, 12s. 9d. to 13s.; doubles, 12s. 6d.; singles, Ils. The quotations at Leith were: for best screened steam coal, 12s. to 12s. 6d.; secondary qualities, Ils. 3d. to Ils. 6d.; treble nuts, 13s. to 13s. 3d.; doubles, 12s. to 12s. 3d.; singles, 10s. 6d. to 10s. 9d. At Methil and Burntisland, best screened navigation was quoted 17s.; unscreened, 15s.; first-class steam coal, 13s.; third class, Ils.; treble nuts, 13s. to 13s. 3d.; doubles, 12s. to 12s. 3d.; singles, 10s. 9d. to Ils. per ton. During the month of January there was a slight falling-off in the industrial demand, and while best ells and splints continued strong, secondary qualities and other classes of round coal were not so good. The low rates of freight prevailing at this time imparted a stimulus to the shipping department of the trade, and, although the aggregate shipments did not come up to the level of the previous year, the improvement was considerable and compensated in a measure for the slackness in the inland consumption. Conditions in the Lothians were now easier, and collieries were not inclined to book heavily, but rather to hold out for firmer prices. The general position in Fifeshire was comparatively good, but the outstanding feature of the trade was the particularly strong position of splint coal in the west of Scotland. In the course of this month the Stockholm Municipality Electricity Works placed a contract for 29,000 tons of Scottish nuts at 14s. 6d. per ton c.i.f. Throughout the month of February there was an easing off in business generally, and the only feature of note yas the strong shipping demand in the western district. In the Lothians the inland demand diminished to a large extent and round coal was very inactive, and the bulk of the business transacted was confined to smalls. The Fifeshire trade was in much the same position, and the prevailing conditions were aggravated owing to a scarcity of tonnage. Generally speaking, prices at . this time were still showing a tendency to decline still further. Conditions during the month of March did not give rise to a feeling of encouragement. The market on the whole was easier, and collieries were inclined to make concessions in order to clear their stocks. Tonnage was scarce, and shipments showed a large falling off compared with the preceding year. The result of the contract for the Swedish State Railways was declared during March, and the details of allotments, so far as Scotland was concerned, were as follow:—Stugsund, 40,000 tons Fifeshire, 15s. lOJd.; Hudiksvall, 10,000 tons Fifeshire, 16s. l^d.; Sundsvall, 30,000 tons Fife- shire, option Lassodie, 15s. lOJd.; Sundsvall, 15,000 tons Lochgelly-Cowdenbeath, 16s., option Glencraig,