August 11, 1916. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 265 Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 80,132 tons of coal and 9,031 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, a decrease of 3,772 tons of coal and an increase of 6,696 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 23,591 tons of coal and 9,021 tons of coke, a decrease of 15,231 tons of coal and an increase of 5,919 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 53,957 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 2,266 tons. Thus, the total clearances from these three places amounted to 175,732 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 57,677 tons when compared with those for the previous week, and of 4,132 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. Collier tonnage has been in rather better supply during the week, although the cargo space offered is by no means adequate to require- ments, and, as a result, the tone of the market has been very well maintained, speaking generally. At the time of writing, there is an accentuation of tonnage troubles by reason of the non-arrival of certain expected vessels and the tone is weaker. The depression, however, appears likely to be of a very temporary nature, and prospects are stated to be very good. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied as follow on the week: — Tyne best steams are 2s. 6d. per ton stronger, Blyth smalls are firmer, unscreened Durham bunkers are from Is. to 3s. lower, Northumbrians are 2s. 6d. reduced, coking smalls are easier, and blastfurnace coke is 5s. cheaper. Other descrip- tions of fuel are unaltered. With reference to the slump in blastfurnace coke quotations, this is likely to be very short-lived, as it is stated that it is expected that, in the course of the present month, several more blastfurnaces will be blown-in on Tees side if there is a satisfactory guarantee as to the fuel supply. It is reported that the contract to supply the Danish State Bail ways with from 15,000 to 18,000 tons of steam coal, for delivery over this and next month, has gone to Scotland. Details of the allotment are lacking, however. The Norwegian State Railways have invited tenders, to be to hand by August 11, of about 12,000 tons of steams, for September-October ship- ment. It will be remembered that, some time ago, the Department bought 15,000 tons of best Bly ths, for July delivery, at 55s. per ton, f.o.b. It is anticipated that offers of the new requirements will be based on about 50s., f.o.b., for Blyth bests. It is reported that considerable efforts are being made to increase the supply of coke by-products for munition purposes, and that, on that account, the Government is likely to requisition even larger supplies of coking coal than in the recent past, which course, in addi- tion to adding to the scarcity and dearness of coking coal in the open market, should have a beneficial effect upon the demand for Northumbrian steams for coaling station and other purposes, for which coking coal has been largely used. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment: — | L’st week’s’Last year’s I prices. ; prices. 47/6-50/ 21/ -21/6 47/6 ' 19/6-20/ , 40/’-45/ 16/6 40/ -45/ 16/6-17/ , 32/6-40/ 15/ -16/ , 30/ 13/6-14/ 27/6 13,' ; 30/ -32/6 15/ -15/6 i 35/ 17 6-18/6 ■ 35/ -36/ 20/6-21/ i 33/ -34/ ! 17/ -18/ , 37/6-40/ 22/ -23/ ! , 33/ -36/ : 17/ -18/6 I i , 32/6-37/6 15/ -16/ ; 33/ -34/ . 17/6-18/6 33/ 17/ . 45/ -50/ ' 21/ : 45/ -47/6 27/6-30/ ' 40/ -47/6 i 27/6 32/ —34/ I 25/ -27/ Current Steam coals :— prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 47,6-50/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 47/6-50/ Secondary, Blyths .... 40/ —45/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 40/ -45/ Unscreened .......... 32/6-40/ Small, Blyths ........ 27/6-30/ Do. Tynes.......... 25/ -27/6 ............... Do. specials........' 30/ -32/6 Other sorts: — Smithies.............. 35/ Best gas coals (New, Pelton or Holmside) 35/ -36/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 33/ -34/ Special gas coals ......i 37/6-40/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams: 30/ -35/ Do. do. Northumbriansi 32/6-35/ Coking coals.........i 33/ -34/ Do. smalls .... House coals ............ Coke, foundry .......... Do. blast-furnace....... Do. gas ................ 32/ -33/ 45/ -50/ 45/ -47/6 40/ -42/6 32/ —34/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 59,650 tons of coal and 1,395 tons of coke, as compared with 63,042 tons of coal and 593 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 3,392 tons of coal and 802 tons of coke. The coal market is just steady, coals of all descriptions are on offer, but prompt turns are being filled, and colliery positions are steadier. Steams are inclined to harden, and gas qualities are unchanged. Bunkers are a shade easier, in all grades. Coking coals are fairly plentiful and unaltered, and the coke market does not show much change. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland: — Current 1 L’st week’sLast year’s Gas coals:— ■ • prices. prices. : prices. Special Wear gas coals 37/6 37/6 | 22/ Secondary do. House coals:— 33/6 34/ j 18/6 Best house coals 45/ 50/ 21/ -21/6 Ordinary do Other sorts :— 37/6 37/6 , ' IW Lambton screened 45/ 45/ 1 22’6-23/ South Hetton do 45/ 45/ ! 22; 6-23/ Lambton unscreened ... 34/ 34/ j 18/ South Hetton do 34/ 34/ 18/ Do. treble nuts 35/6 35/6 20/ Coking coals unscreened 33/6 33/ 32/ 18/ Do. smalls 32/6 17/6 Smithies 34/6 33/6 21/ -21/6 Peas and nuts 37/6 37/6 ! 22/ Best bunkers 36/ 35/ !19/ -20/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 32/6 32/6 : 17/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 47/6 ! 47/6 1 32/ Tees side furnaces) ... 28/ i 28/ 27/6 Gas coke 35/ 32/6-35/ 24/6-25/ Chartering has been of small volume, and confined princi- pally to the French ports at limitation rates ; in other directions fixtures have been:—Genoa, 70s. 6d.; Gothen- burg, 25 kr.; Savona, 70s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Little new is ascertainable concerning the fuel trade- Sufficient tonnage has come forward to enable orders to be despatched pretty smoothly this week. Gas coal is in fairly good request and special Wears are quoted up to 40s., whilst best sorts range from 35s. to 36s., and second qualities run from 33s. to 34s. Bunker coal is well taken up and ordinary Durhams command 34s. to 35s. 6d. As is usual at this season of the year, household coal is dull. For home consumption the price runs from 20s. to 21s., and for export up to 50s. is asked. Coking coal is more plentiful, but sellers are not disposed to reduce quotations, as much of the output is earmarked for Government purposes, and only needs loading facilities to be fully absorbed. Prices ranged from 33s. to 35s. Coke is in very good request and foundry kinds are 47s. 6d. to 50s. Patent coke is quoted 40s. to 41s. Gas coke keeps in the neighbourhood of 34s. To meet growing local requirements arrangements are in progress for re-starting old beehive ovens to manufacture furnace coke. Average blastfurnace kinds keep at 28s. at the ovens and up to 30s. 6d. at the ovens is asked for qualities low in phosphorus. IRON. Pig iron keeps steady and firm but with only a moderate business passing, earnest solicitations of buyers failing to induce makers to further commit themselves to any extent. Production has been slightly increased by the relighting of a furnace at Warrenby that has been idle for some time. The furnace is running on haematite, but the additional make has made no appreciable difference in the situation. The Distributing Committee continue to allocate supplies of pig iron in a manner that gives satisfaction. Deliveries to local users are regular, and shipments to France are well maintained. Licences for export of small quantities to Scandinavia are anticipated. For home consumption, No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge are all 87s. 6d., and No. 1 is 91s. 6d.; whilst for export, No. 3 is 97s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., No. 4 forge 95s. 6d., and No. 1 round about 102s. 6d. Mixed numbers of east coast haematite iron remain at 122s. 6d. for home use and for shipment to France, and 140s. and upward for general export. Very heavy supplies of foreign ore continue to come to hand against running contracts, and imports for August may establish a record. Consumers’ already large stocks are steadily accumulating, and, as a consequence, little disposition to buy is shown. On the basis of the official 17s. freight Bilbao-Middlesbrough, rubio of 50 per cent, quality is 38s. ex-ship Tees. As regards finished iron and steel, manufacturers continue too busily employed on Government work to pay much attention to ordinary commercial business. Quotations all round are stationary. ________________ Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The Cumberland coal industry continues in a brisk condition, and there is a strong market for all classes of fuel. The demand on home account grows keener, and requirements for the various works have been so large this week that the supply for shipping has again diminished. Landsale is very dull, and no improvement may be expected in this section before the beginning of next month. Any surplus, however, that is left on this account is finding a ready market in other directions. In all the other branches the demand for coal is growing stronger and merchants are finding it extremely difficult to meet the needs of their customers. There is a strong enquiry for best steam coal and works fuel in the home, general and export markets, and the collieries have still sufficient orders on hand to keep them busy for the next few weeks. There was no stoppage at any of the collieries on August Bank holiday, but according to previous arrangements the men were allowed a seven hours shift on that day and they were therefore able to get to bank an hour earlier than usual. Production is now higher than it has been for some months, and at some of the pits, outputs are as large, if not larger, than they were before the war. During the last week or two a number of men have returned from the Army to work at the Cumberland pits. Engine fuels for the local railways are in very firm request, and slacks, smalls and all kinds of fuel for industrial purposes are in strong and growing demand for home use. A large proportion of the output of small coal is going to the Cumberland coke ovens, and requirements of the iron and steel works and other works engaged on Government account are probably larger than they have been for some time. Every effort is being made to meet the needs of home consumers, and therefore all local users are now able to secure almost as much coal as they require. The coastwise trade is still very busy and there is an abnormal demand for all varieties of fuel for the Irish market. Supplies of both small and manufacturing coal for shipment are rather scarce, and in this branch the collieries have still as much business on hand as they can comfortably deal with. One cargo has been shipped to Dublin this week, but the bulk of the coal is still going to the north-east coast of Ireland. During the week 22 vessels have sailed from Maryport with coals for the Irish market, and the shipments have amounted to 4,375 tons, compared with 5,560 tons at the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 755 tons compared with the previous week. Coke makers are busier than ever, and Cumberland coke is in very keen demand for local use. All the 230 by- product coke ovens in the county are in full operation, and the entire output is being absorbed at the West Cumber- land furnaces. There is continued activity in the local by- products trade and all the works in the district are very briskly employed. Prices of all varieties are firm, but unchanged. Best sorts at the pit are quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s. lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best export coal is 19s. 6d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Gas coal is 20s. per ton delivered in the district. Bunkers are in very strong request, at from 21s. 6d. to 30s. per ton. Best house coal delivered in Maryport is quoted at from Is. 5d. to Is. 6d. per cwt., or from 27s. 6d to 28s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at 25s. lOd. per ton and seconds 24s. 2d. per ton. At Workington best house coal delivered is Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt, or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow .- — Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit 23/4 23/4 23/4 Best washed nuts at pit... 21/3 21/3 21/3 Buckhill best coal „ 22/6 22/6 22/6 Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit 21/ 2!/ 2i/ Oughterside best coal at Fit - 22/6 22/6 22/6 Oughterside best washed nuts at pit 21/ 21/ 21/ St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit 22/6 22/6 22/6 St. Helens best house nuts at pit 21/ 21/ 21/ Best dry small at pit 12/6 12/6 19/ 1 12/ Best steam nuts „ 19/ ' 19/ 19/6 Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. 19/6 19/6 Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... 17/6 17/6 17/6 19/ Best bunkers (coastwise) 25/ 25/ Do. (for foreign-going steamers) 30/ 30/ 19/ Bunkers (mixed nuts and steam coal) (coastwise) 21/6 21/6 17/ -17/6 Do. (foreign) 25/ 25/ 17/ -17/6 Best coal for gasworks ... 20/ 20/ 20/ Best washed nuts for gas- works 19/ 19/ i 19/ IRON. A firm tone continues to prevail in the Cumberland and North Lancashire hamiatite iron trade. There is marked activity in every department of the industry between Maryport and Carnforth, and the output of both iron and steel in this district is now probably larger than it has been for some years. No holiday was observed this year, and the steel works at both Workington and Barrow were in full swing over the Bank holidays. The heavy demand for metal continues, and although there are now three more furnaces in full operation, production is still barely keeping pace with requirements. There is not yet sufficient for all users, but satisfactory progress is being made both in Cumberland and the Furness district with a view to increasing the output of iron. The preliminary work in connection with the re-starting of the iron works at Harrington has been commenced, but it will be three or four months at the very least before one of the furnaces can be put in blast. The whole of the production, of ordinary, special and semi-special iron, is going into immediate consumption. The bulk of the special iron is going to users in Scotland and the Midlands, and practi- cally the whole of the make of Bessemer iron is being absorbed at the steel works at Barrow and Workington. There has been no change in prices, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton, f.o.t., while warrants at cash are idle at 115s. per ton. Special iron is quoted at 140s. per ton and semi-special 135s. 6d. per ton, f.o.t. There are 29 furnaces in blast in the iron-smelting district from Maryport to Carnforth, 19 in Cumberland and 10 in the Furness area. The Workington Iron and Steel Company have 12 furnaces in draught in West Cumber- land—viz., four at the Derwent works, three at Moss Bay, two at Old side, and one at the Lowther works (all at Workington), and two at the Solway works at Maryport. Millom have three in blast, Distington and Cleator Moor have two each in operation ; and in the Furness district Barrow have six furnaces blowing and Carnforth and North Lonsdale have two each in blast. The steel industry is tremendously brisk, and the mills at both Barrow and Workington are still heavily engaged on war work. Rails, heavy sections, are from <£10 17s. 6d. to <£11 10s. per ton, with light rails at from .£12 to <£12 10s. per ton. Billets are quoted at <£12 per ten. The engineering shops through- out the district are exceptionally busy, most of the work being on Government account. There is great activity in the iron ore industry from Cleator to Hodbarrow. The mines are working full time, and a large proportion of the men loyally remained at work over the holidays. Sufficient high-grade ores are being mined for the making of special iron, but supplies of ordinary sorts for the furnaces on Bessemer are still inadequate for all requirements. Efforts are being made to increase the output at the iron ore mines and boring operations are taking place in some parts of the district, with the object of opening out fresh sources of supply. Best Hod barrow ore is quoted at 38s. per ton, ordinary grades range from 21s. to 30s. per ton, and better sorts from 31s. to 36s. 6d. per ton net at the mines. There is a steady demand for foreign iron ore, which is quoted at about 37s. 6d. per ton delivered at the works. ______ _______ South-West Lancashire. COAL. There has been no regularity in the county with regard to the August holiday. Many pits have been open the whole time so as to give the men a full opportunity of working, others closed down for either a day or more. Generally, where the pits have been open, the work has been sadly irregular, certainly not worth the opening. In household coals, considering the temperature, the demand is above the average, and it is evident it is not all going into immediate consumption. With regard to shipping there is no change to report, business on the whole being Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— ; Best ...............i Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium............. .............. Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net): Kitchen.............i Do. (f.o.b. Garston,net): Screened forge coal.....__ Best sernd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ......., ....... Common do.............; _______________ Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. | prices. prices. 21/ ; 21/ 20,9 25/6 25/6 22/ -23/ 19/ -20/ i 19/ -20/ 19/ 24/6 : 24 6 20/ 18/ : 18/ 16’9-17/ 24/ ! 24/ upwds 18/6-19/ 18/ i '18/ 16/ -17/ 24/ -24/6 24/ -24'6 18/ -19/ 16/ 16/ 14/ 15/6 15/6 12/6 14/6 14/6 upwds, 10/