540 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 16, 1917. remain nominal on the basis of 27s. 6d. for Bessemer standard sizes, and other specifications in proportion. In the galvanised sheet trade there is no change, although makers continue fairly active in the production of black and painted sheets, and trench plates. Prices are nominal. Spelter is <£56 15s. per ton. All the blastfurnaces and steel works are in full operation, and the entire output is controlled, with the result that quotations are purely nominal. Iron ore arrivals continue satisfactory, and there is no change in the market rates. Scrap metals continue firm and steady. Swansea. COAL. There was a fair attendance on ’Change, but there is no improvement to report ' in the anthracite market. Tonnage arrivals are still scarce and stocks of coal excessive. Beans and peas continued to be in short request. There was very little movement in other qualities and this applies also to the condition of steam coal. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s LasByear’s Anthracite:— . prices. prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 27/ -28/ 27/ -28/ 23/ -24/ Secondary do. 22/ -25/ 22/ -25/ 20/ -21/ Big Vein Valley large... 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 16/6-19/6 Red Vein large 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/6 18/ -20/ Machine-made cobbles 33/ —35/ 33/ -35/ 30 -32 6 Paris nuts French do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 32/ -33/ Stove do 33/ -35/ 32/ -34/ 30/ -32/ Beans 26/ -27/ 23/6-24/6 30/6-32/ Machine - made large I ■ peas 20/ —22/ 20/ -22/ 21/ -22/ Do. fine peas — — — Rubbly culm 9/ -9/6 9/ - 9/6 8/9- 9/6 Duff 6/6- 7/ 6/6— 7/ 3/9- 4/ Steam coals:— I I Best large 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ | i 31/6-35/ Seconds 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ J ; 28/ —31/ Bunker throughs 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ | 1 21/ -23/6 Small 10/ -15/ 10/ —15/ ; 13/6-16/ Bituminous coals:— i No. 3 Rhondda— Large 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ ! i 31/ -35/ Thro’-and-thro’ — — Small 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ • 19/ -22/ Patent fuel 28/ -30/ 28/ —30/ | 32/ -34/6 Llanelly. COAL. Tonnage arrivals during the past week have been far from satisfactory, and the tone of the local market continues unchanged. The mines have been experiencing idle days, and stocks are heavy both at collieries and in wagons. Anthracite large kinds are very weak, with buyers being able to secure low quotations for prompt clearance of wagons. Owing to the short time worked, supplies of the machine- made kinds are greatly reduced, and this shortage is keeping prices from being easier. Culm continues very easy and duff is fairly steady. The steam coal market is also in a very unsatisfactory state, with throughs and smalls very easy. Large kinds for inland enquiry are firm, with delays in the execution of orders. Manufacturing and house coals are busy. This week’s quotations are approxi- mately as follow:— Prices f.o.b. Current L'st week's Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large 25/ -27/6 ' 26/6-28/ 21/ -24/ Secondary do. 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ 19/ -21/ Big Vein large 20/ -21/ 20/ —22/6 16/6-17/6 Red Vein do 19/6—20/ i 1 20/ -21/6 16/6-18/ Machine-made cobbles... 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 27/ -29/ Stove nuts 32/6-34/6 32/ -34/ 27/ -28/ French do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 28/6-29/6 Paris do 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ 27/ -28/6 Machine-made beans ... 25/ -26/6 24/6-26/6 28/ -30/ Do. peas 20/ -22/ 20/ —22/ 20/ -22/ Culm 8/6- 9/ 8/6- 9/ 9/ - 9/6 Duff 6/ - 6/6 6/6- 7/ 3/6- 4/6 Other sorts:— Large steam coal 24/6-25/6 24/6—25/6 ' 32/6-34/6 Through-and-through... 23/ -24/ 18/ -20/ ! 21/6-23/6 Small 9/ -11/6 10/6-14/6 I 14/ -16/ Bituminous small coal... 16/6-18/6 17/ -19/6 ! 20/ -22/ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market as a whole is firm, and as regards pitch and tar prices are distinctly harder. Naphthas also keep steady. Nearest values are :— Rise ( + ) or fall (-) on the week. Benzols, 90’s ......................' 1/0j ,, 90’s North ................ /10i—/Hl ,, 50’s North ................ 1/3—1/4 Toluol ................................... 2/3 Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.)... 3/4 ,, crystals (40 per cent.) 1/3 Solvent naphtha, south (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package... 2/3 Solvent naphtha, north (90% at 160 degs.), as in quality and package... 1/8—1/9 Crude naphtha, north (in bulk) /6|—/6J Creosote (for ordinary qualities) /3£—/3f Pitch (f.o.b.) east coast) .......... 16/6—17/ ,, (f.a.s. west coast) .......... 17/—18/ *Tar (per ton ex works) ............. 20/—21/ * Midlands, 22/—23/. [Benzols, toluol creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids, usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at makers' works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch, f.o.b. net.’] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is steady, and there is a prospect of the farmer at last waking up to the great advantages offered him in the production of foodstuffs, and giving serious and sympathetic attention to the use of sulphate of ammonia. The demand is good, at £15 10s. to £16. THE L0ED0E COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 15. Trade for the past week has slackened slightly, but the pressure for all kinds of house coal and steam coals con- tinues very strong. The cold weather largely increased the number of orders for delivery from the general public, but the steady work from all the wharves and depots has tended to diminish the overplus of orders, and the bulk of the mer- chants report that they are gradually overtaking the arrears of orders on their books. Special means have been adopted to deliver a portion of every order on hand, so as to mini- mise the actual necessities of every household. The supplies coming forward are far from satisfactory, but are as much as the labour available for loading and carting can deal with. The stocks at all the depots are very low, but whilst the scarcity of vessels at the shipping ports is so pronounced, a good deal of Yorkshire and North-country coal is finding its way into the London markets. Colliery representatives are still refusing to book any fresh orders, except from contract customers, so that very little free coal is offering. The rail- way companies are bringing forward loaded wagons in fairly prompt regularity, and the urgent demand for coal on order necessitates the quick unloading of the trucks at the depots, but the serious delay in the return of empty wagons has caused considerable losses in many directions. Steam coals are very scarce, and all prices are firmly held. Slacks also have improved, and all qualities are now selling freely. For Monday’s market, 43 boats arrived in the River Thames, and 10 for Wednesday; many of these have been delayed through stress of weather. The seaborne market is very firm. Freights are exceedingly scarce, both at the Humber and the Tyne ports, and fixtures have recently been made for London at 19s., and one at 20s. from the Tyne. South Yorkshire hards are quoted at 28s. per ton f.o.b. at the Humber; gas coal, 27s.; and Derbyshire hards, 27s. The London quotations have varied very little recently. York- shire Silkstones are 19s. to 20s. per ton at pit; Barnsley softs, 18s. 6d. to 19s. ; South Yorkshire hards, 18s.; Derby- shire hards, 17s.; Derby brights, 18s. to 18s. 6d.; Derby bright nuts, 17s. 6d. to 18s.—but as so few orders can be entered, the prices are largely nominal. South Wales prices are : Second Admiralties, 24s. 6d. ; patent fuel, 28s. The suggestion of the Controller of Mines that no contracts be entered into for longer periods than three months was dis- cussed on the London Coal Market on Monday. The bulk of the present yearly contracts do not expire until the end of June next, and the principal societies and committees have already had the matter under consideration. The main object undoubtedly is to release the congestion of transport on the various railways as much as possible, and to secure the minimum of haulage, thus economising the use of loco- motives and wagons, but its effect upon the trade generally is viewed in a variety of lights. From Messrs. Dinham Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, March 8.—Very cold weather caused a strong demand for seaborne house coal, but no cargoes were avail- able. Cargoes, 2. Monday, March 12.—There was again a good demand for seaborne house coal, but no cargoes were offering. Cargoes, 43. Wednesday, March 14.—The seaborne house coal was in fairly good demand, but no cargoes were on offer. Cargoes, 13. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 15. Dublin. Demand for most classes of fuel is well maintained, but supplies have been difficult to obtain. No alteration has occurred in prices, viz. :—Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; York- shire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 3’6s. ; retail prices, 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st.; steam coal, from about 40s. per ton; best coke, 44s. per ton. The coal vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 59, as compared with 65 the week previously, the total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays being 22,535 tons, as against 23,000 tons in the previous week. It is stated that a sum of £368, representing 1,472 shares, has been received in connection with the Kill (Co. Cavan) coal development scheme. The statement made last week, that the Govern- ment had consented to construct the connecting line between the Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, and Athy, on the main line of the Great Southern and Western Railway, has not yet been confirmed. Belfast. The local market is unchanged, although the prevalence of wintry weather has necessitated increased requirements on household account. Prices remain as follow :—Best Arley house coal, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d. ; English house, 41s. 6d. ; Scotch house, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d. Approximate prices of steam coals are : Scotch, 35s. per ton ; best English and Welsh steam coal, 40s. per ton. Gas coke runs from about 37s. 6d. to 40s. per ton; and foundry coke from 60s. to 64s. per ton delivered. From February 18 to March 3 the total number of coal-laden vessels entering the harbour was 144, as compared with 116 for the first two weeks in February. Irish coal from the mines at Craigahullian is now being advertised by the Portrush Colliery Company, Co. Antrim. THE TIE-PLATE TRADE. Liverpool. There has been a moderate enquiry. Some of the works are evidently short of specifications, and have been accept- ing down to 25s. 6d. basis f.o.r. at works. The majority of the mills, however, are fully booked for some weeks ahead, and will not entertain anything like the above figure for new business. Present quotations may be called :—Coke tins : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 26s. to 28s. per box; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), ,52s. 6d. to 55s. per box. IC squares and odd sizes, 26s. to 28s. 6d. basis, f.o.b. Wales. Wasters may now be sold without a “ permit ” in sizes under 520 sq. in. area, with exception of 14 x 20 and 14 x 18| —and a good business has been done during the past few days. Prices paid range from 28s. to 30s. basis, f.o.b. Wales, but the market is unsettled, and will probably take ■some little time to find its level. MANCHESTER GEOLOGICAL AND MINING SOCIETY. At a meeting of this society on Tuesday, 13th inst., the discussion was resumed on Mr. T. W. Anderson’s paper on “ Notes on an Old Pumping Engine (1791).”* Mr. C. M. Haslam (Pentrich Colliery), in a written communication, said Mr. Anderson had gone so fully into the history of old pumping engines, that it would be difficult to add to the paper, but it would be interesting to mention the peculiarities of the. Pentrich engine. Air. Benjamin Godbear, enginewright, who had the care of the engine for many years, told the writer that he had purposely arranged a small escape of steam through the inlet valve, and with that the engine worked at its best. The effect was that, when the piston descended, it did not directly open the steam valve, and the weight did not fall until the pressure was nearly equal on both sides of the valve. That made the. engine pause to steady the rods and work smoothly. It also had another curious effect. If everything was perfectly balanced when not pumping, and the piston left near the top, the engine really continued to work making about four strokes per minute J in. long. The escape of steam upset the balance, and raised the pump until it just touched the injection valve. Very little cold water brought the piston down about Jin., closing the injec- tion. It was curious how such a jumble of old loose timber and rusty iron worked so accurately. He found in an old valuation list of 1864 the engine was referred to- as “ the large pumping engine, 50 horse-power, 56 in. cylinder, 8 in. stroke, with two dome-topped round boilers.” The small valve on the exhaust pipe might have prevented a lot of water being blown out of the hot well. Mr. Henry Storey (Brooklands) wrote that the com- munity owed a considerable debt to Mr. Anderson for the thorough way in which he had followed up the history of the engine from very obscure data. That for more than 100 years the engine had performed the work for which it was built, was sufficient justification for the attention now directed to it. The' general design on which it was built was produced early in the 18th cen- tury, when knowledge regarding the use of steam for power purposes was of the crudest; so crude, indeed, that to-day they found it extremely difficult to put them- selves into the atmosphere that'surrounded the pioneers of that period. The very interesting account of that early steam pumping engine made them wish that more information was available to show how the development, of the design was brought about. Many trials and much disappointment must have occurred before a working success was attained, and a description of those should be encouraging and helpful to those who now had to face hidden problems of a similar kind. The automatic valve gear adopted in that engine was very ingenious, particularly in the use of the .unbalanced weighted lever (tumbling bob) to secure the rapid movement required in opening and closing the valves. The use of the sniff- ing valve to blow out of the cylinder any air carried into it by the injection water, seemed to have been effective in preventing any accumulation of air sufficiently to affect the vacuum, but one would like to know whether its application was originally the result of reason or of chance. • In all the printed accounts and illustrations of engines of that type, that sniffing valve was described as being placed on the side of the cylinder, about the position reached by the piston at the bottom of its stroke, where one would expect that any air would be found. The steam entering through the bottom of the cylinder would thus drive any air before it through the sniffing valve. In the Pentrich engine, however, the sniffing valve was placed below the cylinder, on a branch of the eduction pipe conveying the condensing water to the hot well, and the steam inlet was at the side of the cylinder in the position described for the sniffing valve. In Farey’s treatise, the fact that air was heavier than steam under the same physical conditions was recog- nised, and he (Mr. Storey) suggested that that fact might have been brought to the notice of Thompson, the builder of that engine, causing him to modify the design as stated above. Mr. Anderson had been told, by the man who had had chaige of that engine for many years, that a very small air leakage into the cylinder was enough to stop the engine. They might assume that a relatively small accumulation of air would have equally bad results. It was evident that the vacuum obtained in the cylinder must be very imperfect. Farey stated that the result of testing several Newcomen engines in Cornwall by a mercury column was that the cylinder vacuum varied 23 in. to 24 in., or nearly double that required by this engine to lift the water only. No doubt the efficiency of the engine and pumps would be very low. According to Farey, Watt’s improvements resulted in such a considerable saving in fuel that the Newcomen design was discarded, except-in those cases where the fuel used was of very little value for other purposes. Another point of interest to present day engineers arose in the example of advanced facilities of manufacture (for the period) represented by the con- structional work there executed. Attention1 had been called, in the paper, to the size and approximate weight of the cylinder casting. Farey gave details of even larger sizes as early as 1765 at the Carron Company’s works, and equally large castings were produced before that time at Coalbrookdale, where the foundry was established in 1740. The Author’s Reply. Mr. Anderson, in his reply, thanked the president for his kind remarks, and also the various gentlemen who had contributed valuable amplifications and com- ments, to which he'proposed to answer briefly. Remarks from such an authority as Mr. Prosser were most valu- * Colliery Guardian, January 12, 1917, p. 72 ; February 16, p. 343. ‘