1144 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 16, 1916. normal times. It is now of far greater significance, both, from the standpoint of economics and the maintenance of national stability, not only to ourselves, but to other nations dependent upon us for supplies of fuel. It has been truly said that our coal reserves are to us as good as gold in preserving our financial status in the unprecedented strain which the war is placing upon our resources. The monopoly which we possess in this respect is an incalculable advantage to the nation in the critical days through which this country is passing, and never before have we been able to realise so vividly the value of this asset, not only to our world-wide maritime commerce, but also to the maintenance of our position amongst the nations of the world. It is not necessary here to say more respecting the scope of the subject with which, under the title of “ Coal Shipping and Coaling Stations,” Mr. Warden- Stevens proposes to discuss. The articles will speak for themselves ; but one point deserves mention. In presenting to our readers at home and abroad a survey of the conditions under which coal shipping is now carried out in various ports, we believe we shall be doing a service to those countries in which improvements can still be effected, and where a description of the best modern plant may serve a useful purpose in suggesting future developments, the need for which has been brought into particular prominence by the necessities of the moment. THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 15. The market continues brisk. The resolution of the miners to work during the holidays had a salutary effect upon the tonnage, and rail'borne coals are coming forward with greater regularity, so that the depleted depots are getting a better supply. Householders are still buying freely for their winter supplies, and the delivery trade continues firm. Colliery representatives are offering very little coal for the open market, and the export trade is still absorbing large quan- tities, which would ordinarily come forward to London. The reports are that orders on hand are still very heavy, and that railway companies and Government factories are calling for large quantities. The colder weather influenced the house coal market a good deal, and supplies are still much below the demand. Steam coals remain exceedingly scarce, and small nuts are difficult to obtain. Thirty-four vessels were returned on Monday as arriving in the Biver Thames, and seven for Wednesday’s market, but all were loaded with contract cargoes, no free coal being on offer. The seaborne market, although very short of tonnage, is somewhat dull, and prices are easier. The restrictions in shipping, and the difficulty to obtain licences, has liberated a little more coal during the week for home use. The accumulation of French business has yet to be dealt with, but the local committees are endeavouring to allocate the requisite quantities. In some cases Tyne prices are slightly lower, but the nominal prices are still 60s. -f.o.b. for best prime steams, and 55s. to 57s. f.o.b. for- seconds. Durham steams are 55s. Wear gas coal (specials), 40s. to 42s. Tyne gas coal, 37s. fid. Bunker coal, 37s. to 38s. In the South Wales market none of the best Admiralties are offering, but second Admiralties are fetching 50s. to 51s. f.o.b. Black Veins, 50s. Western Valleys, 49s. Eastern Valleys, 46s. Bunkers, 29s. to 30s. Patent fuel, 50s. to 51s. f.o.b. for best, and 48s. for seconds. Monday was a peculiar day on the London coal market, for the Exchange lias never before been open on a Whit Monday. Business was, however, going on as usual, and the attend- ance was quite normal. At the various wharves and depots the appeal to the workmen to> forego- the holiday was loyally observed, and work was proceeding as usual. Some of the barges in the Beg ent’s Canal were idle. The men employed by cine or two of the big firms demanded double rates of pay for the day, failing which they refused to work. All the offices, with one of two exceptions, were open as usual. The auction sale by Lady Markham took place on Wednesday, and the merchants on the London Exchange entered into the spirit of the venture with great heartiness and zest. The whole of the proceeds are to be given towards the Wounded Allies’ Belief Fund. Twenty lots of 50 tons each were sub- mitted, and each lot carried with it an option of 1,500 ton’s over the 12 months. The bulk of the lots were Bullcroft best bouse coal, but four lots were Staveley hards, and others were Bond’s Main Silkstone, Ireland Main and nuts, and Markham Main and nuts. The options included Bullcroft best house and washed smalls, and the principal portion were Yorkshire Association hard steam coal. The deliveries were to be in equal monthly quantities over 12 months from July 1, and the pit prices for the options are to be strictly in accord- ance with the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, not exceeding 16s. 6d. pit for hard coal, 16s. 6d. pit for house coal, and 12s. 3d. pit for washed smalls. The purchasers are to have the option of selling all or any part for export or bunkering purposes from the Humber ports. . In addition to the special lots of coal submitted by Lady Markham, a number of other lots of coal were sold without options, and, finally, a lot of old miners’ safety lamps were sold as souvenirs of the occa- sion. The highest price given was £13 13s. per ton, but many were sold at £11 to 11 gs. per ton at pit. The old pit lamps were sold at an average of £5 each. One realised £20. The total receipts amounted to over £11,000. From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report. Friday, June 9.—There were no seaborne house cargoes on offer again to-day, but a good demand was still notice- able. Cargoes, 22. Monday, June 12.—The weather being -exceeding cold for the time of year, caused a good enquiry for seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but no cargoes were being offered. Cargoes, 34. Wednesday, June 14.—There was no alteration in the sea- borne house coal market to-day, no cargoes being on offer. Cargoes1, 7. THE COAL AKD IROH TRADES. Thursday, June 15. Scotland.—Western District. GOAL. The tone in the west of Scotland coal trade has improved during the past week. A little uncertainty still exists as to whether Italy and Russia will claim the same consideration as France or not, and also as to the treatment of neutrals. Buyers in some cases have been holding back in the hope of a further fall in freights, but rates are inclined to stiffen again, and enquiries will likely increase accordingly. Ell coal is still easier, and only in a few instances are collieries obtaining the prices quoted. Splints are fully sold for this month. Navigations and steams are fairly busy, and the quotation for the former is 38s. to 40s. per ton. Nuts of all sizes are fully taken up on home account, and licences are almost unobtainable. Shipments for the week amount to 136,740 tons, compared with 116,875 in the preceding week and 134,513 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’stweek’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 27/6-30/ 28/ -33/ 14/6-17/ Ell 27/6-35/ 30/ -33/ 15/6-16/ Splint 32/6-42/6 33/ -40/ 15/ -19/ Treble nuts 23/ 21/ -21/6 16/6-17/ Double do 22/ 20/6-21/ 16/6-17/ Single do 21/ 19/6-20/ 16/6-17/ IRON. The Scotch iron trade continues in a strong position all round, and values are very firm. The demand for pig iron is as urgent as ever, especially in the case of hsematite, and makers find great difficulty in meeting requirements. The export department is very quiet at present. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are unchanged as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1,122s. 6d., No. 3,120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,130s., Nos. 3,125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3,126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. Operations in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market are still suspended. Total stocks now amount to 32,809 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the close of 1915. Malleable iron makers are still securing as much work as they can tackle. Both iron and mild steel bars are in large demand directly and indirectly on Government account, while a large export business is being done in the former as there is no embargo on iron bars. Crown iron bars are quoted £14 to £14 5s. per ton net, both for home and export. The demand for black sheets is unprecedented, and mills are totally unable to turn out adequate supplies. The price for 7 to 11 b.g. is now about £18 10s. per ton, Glasgow delivery. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. A steady business is being done in the Lothians, although the collieries in this district are feeling the effect of the curtailment of licences. Quotations are still firm, but supplies are obtainable second-hand a few shillings per ton below colliery prices. Shipments for the week amounted to 29,880 tons, against 42,823 in the preceding week and 38,364 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 40/ -45/ 42/6 16/ -18/ Secondary qualities 38/ -42/ 40/ 15/6-17/ Treble nuts 25/ 24/ -26/ 17/ -18/ Double do 24/ 22/. -24/ 21/ -22/ 15/ -16/6 Single do 22/ 17/ The market in Fifeshire is somewhat easier in tone, due, in a measure, to the refusal of licences. Nevertheless, while tonnage is not so plentiful values are well maintained, and collieries are still disinclined to quote for forward business. Navigations are very busy, and first- and third- class steams are being well cleared. Nuts are fairly plentiful, but supplies are being reserved for home consumption, even exports to France being restricted. Clearances for the week amounted to 51,136 tons, against 54,290 in the preceding week and 59,316 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s Lastyear’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 45/ -50/ 50/ 25/ -26/ Unscreened do 40/ -45/ 40/ -45/ 23/ -24/ First-class steam coal 40/ -50/ 40/ -45/ 19/ -22/ Third-class do 33/ -40/ 32/ -37/6 15/ -17/ Treble nuts 25/ -26/ 23/ -25/ 17/ -18/ Double do 24/ -25/ 22/ -24/ 16/6-17/6 Single do. 22/ 20/ -22/ 16/ -16/9 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 217,756 tons, compared with 213,988 in the preceding week and 232,193 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 120,204 tons of coal and 6,654 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 31,347 tons of coal and 3,959 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 42,590 tons of coal and 9,305 tons of coke, a decrease of 13,549 tons of coal and an increase of 8,289 tons of coke. The Blyth ship- ments totalled 70,182 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 4,361 tons. Thus, the total quantity of coal and coke despatched from these three places was 248,935 tons, an exceptionally heavy shipment, and, indeed, probably a record for any one week since the war commenced. A note- worthy feature is the large amount of coke sent off, a traffic that seems to be growing week by week. The appeal to the local miners to postpone their Whitsuntide holidays was very successful. The market has been sorely hampered this week by the growing dearth of collier tonnage, and has been considerably weakened thereby. The following changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment are to be recorded Best Blyth steams are 5s. to 10s. per ton cheaper; Tynes, 2s. 6d. less; Tyne seconds, easier; unscreened, 5s. reduced; Durham unscreened bunkers, 2s. lower ; Northumbrians, weaker ; households, 5s. declined; foundry coke, in buyer’s favour; and blastfurnace coke, a shade stronger. Prices of other classes of fuel are nominally steady, but buyers with spot vessels and licences ready are able to secure substantial discounts on current rates. Tonnage is much wanted, both for Northumbrian and Durham fuel. Even coke is now becoming plentiful in supply, and weaker in quotation. One cause of the tonnage shortage is our old enemy, the congestion at French Atlantic ports. At the beginning of the week, for example, it was stated that there were nearly 100 vessels discharging and waiting for berths at Rouen. Whilst this activity at French ports is gratifying as indicating that our nearest Ally is being plentifully supplied with needed fuel, it is regrettable discharging facilities are inadequate. The withholding of neutral tonnage is, of course, accentuating the demands made upon our own mercantile marine. Present circumstances have a very weakening effect upon the market, and, at the time of writing, it is stated that best Blyth steams have been sold for immediate loading at 52s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., and Tyne primes at 50s. With reference to French business generally, apart from tonnage complications, the local Coal Export Committee for the control of business at limited prices and freights has only just been completed by the addition of ship owners’ and and coal owners" representatives to the exporters, hence very little new business has been arranged. It should be added that there is a very heavy demand for fuel from most of our Continental customers, and, were tonnage supplies adequate, a very large amount of business would be possible. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas oals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 52/6-60/ 60/ 50/ 50/ -55/ 40/ -45/ 35/ 28/ -30/ 35/ 37/6 37/6 36/ 37/6 35/ -38/ 38/ -40/ 37/6 35/ -36/ 55/ -60/ 45/ -47/6 42/6-45/ 28/ -30/ L’stweek’s prices. 62/6-65/ 60/ -62/6 50/ 55/ 40/ -50/ 35/ 28/ -30/ 35/ 37/6 37/6 36/ 37/6 37/ -40/ 40/ 37/6 35/ 55/ -65/ 47/6 44/ 28/ -30/ Lastyear’s prices. 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 17/6-18/ 17/6-18/ 16/6-17/ 15/ -15/6 14/ -15/ 17/ 20/ 21/ -22/ 19/ -20/ 22/6 17/6-20/6 17/ 18/ -20/ 17/ -18/ 22/6 37/6-40/ 32/6 22/ -23/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 60,470 tons of coal and 1,195 tons of coke, as compared with 70,615 tons of coal and 1,595 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 10,145 tons of coal and 400 tons of coke. The coal market is dull and weak. The supply of tonnage is decreasing, and is now causing inconvenience. Chartering moves slowly, and Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’stweek’s Lastyear’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 40/ 40/ 21/ Secondary do. House coals:— 35/ 35/ 20/ Best house coals 55/ 60/ 22/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 45/ 50/ 20/ Lambton screened 55/ 60/ 23/ South Hetton do 55/ 60/ 23/ Lambton unscreened ... 36/ 37/ 18/6-18/9 South Hetton do 36/. 37/ 18/6-18/9 Do. treble nuts 38/6 38/ 22/6 Coking coals unscreened 36/ 36/ -37/ 19/ Do. smalls 35/ 35/ 18/6 Smithies 37/6 36/ 20/ Peas and nuts 40/ 38/6 21/ Best bunkers 40/ 38/6-39/ 19/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 35/ 36/ -36/6 18/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 47/ 45/ 35/ Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 30/ Gas coke 28/ -30/ 28/ -29/ 23/ -24/