THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. November 8, 1918. 974 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ error ; various schemes of classification are discussed, and the significant statement is made that the author has met some interesting examples of coals possessing quite different properties whose elementary com- positions are very similar—a phenomenon possibly resulting from isomerism. Then follows an exhaus- tive account of the action of solvents upon coal, with a cautious comment upon the conclusions to be drawn from this line of investigation. More promising in its results is the dry distillation of coal at various definite temperatures—a subject which the author treats in great detail, analysing the work which has been done in this direction, and paying particular attention to the recent researches of Burgess and Wheeler and other well-known investigations. The author’s summary of the present state of knowledge of the primary action of heat upon coal is not only lucid but remarkably suggestive. Prof. Bone does not accept as conclusive the views of Wheeler and his co-workers upon the relative stabilities of the cellulosic and resinous compounds, and he points to several directions in which further investigation would seem to be desirable, the most interesting of which is the problem of the aromatic hydrocarbons of the benzene series, which are con- spicuously wanting in the products of low tempera- ture carbonisation, and may possibly be formed by the dehydrogenation of the hydro - aromatic rings. The author considers this problem chronologically from the “acetylene” theory of Berthelot, noting its subsequent modification by Vivian Lewes, the later work of Haber and the author’s own researches in conjunction with H. F. Coward. Upon the whole, he concludes that the old acetylene theory of the formation of benzene hydrocarbons in gas retorts and coke ovens must be discarded, and that the most potent causes must be looked for, either in the thermal dehydrogenation of naph- thenes, or in the condensation of olefines or their “unsaturated residues,” or most likely in the simultaneous action of both of these processes at temperatures lying between 500 degs. and 800 degs. Cent., which is about the range giving the best yields of benzene and its homologues. These chapters, dealing as they do with a complex and rather obscure series of chemical reactions, are exceptionally well done, and are not beyond the comprehension of those whose knowledge of organic chemistry is of only a limited extent. This portion of Prof. Bone’s monograph concludes with an account of the results of the oxidation of coal at ordinary temperatures, together with the phenomena of weathering and spontaneous heating. In this connection, he puts the pyrites theory in its proper place, and traces the history of the problem of spontaneous firing of coal from the early researches of Richter and Fayol to the recent work done in the Coal Owners’ Research Laboratory at Doncaster, in the Home Office Experimental Station at Eskmeals, and in the author’s laboratory at the Imperial College, concluding with a suggestive list of points which call for further investigation. This brings us to the end of this portion of the treatise, leaving more than half the book to the consideration of problems connected with the com- bustion of coal, which, in view of its immense importance, we propose to deal with in a further article. ________________________ SOUTH WALES MINING TIMBER TRADE. Supplies of French pitwood were better—the imports during the past few days being upon a good scale. Quota- tions were still at the maximum scheduled level. The imports of Irish pitwood were upon a fairly good scale also. As regards home-grown timber deliveries were slow, owing to the inclement weather, the bad state of the roads and the dearth of hauliers. Many fellers and hauliers have been affected by the influenza epidemic. Collieries were not short of supplies—the chief having good stocks in hand. Imports of mining timber into South Wales for the week ended October 31 Date. Consignee. Loads. Oct. 26 Lysberg Limited ........... 102 ,, 26 Lysberg Limited .................. 42 „ 28 Marcesche and Co........... 36 „ 28 Grant Hayward & Co........ 168 „ 28 Bromage and Co ........... 840 „ 28 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 108 „ 28 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 120 „ 28 Marcesche and Co........... 456 „ 29 Lysberg Limited ........... 960 „ 29 Lysberg Limited ........... 300 „ 29 Lysberg Limited ........... 96 „ 31 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 120 „ 31 Lysberg Limited ........... 360 „ 31 Lysberg Limited ........... 820 „ 31 Lysberg Limited ........... 960 „ 31 Lysberg Limited ............. 820 „ 31 Lysberg Limited ........... 2,400 „ 31 Marcesche and Co........... 126 „ 31 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 60 „ 31 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 300 „ 31 Morgan and Cadogan ....... 2,280 ___________________________ Demonstration of Anthracite Heating,—A successful trial of anthracite large coal (broken on the premises) in an ordinary open grate took place recently at the Mon- mouthshire and South Wales Coal Owners’ Association, Cardiff, the simplicity of lighting, economy, etc., being clearly demonstrated. The total coal and “ pele ” con- sumed in two fires was 40 lb., and the fires were made up to last at least 20 hours (equal to 1 lb. of coal per hour for each fire). The demonstration was conducted by Cleeves Western Valleys Anthracite Collieries Limited with fuel from their collieries. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, November 7. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Activities in the Scotch coal trade are fully maintained. Though shipments have fallen off somewhat, outputs are quickly disposed of to home consumers. Exports mean- time are mainly to Allied countries. Business in the West of Scotland in the shipping department is largely made up of Admiralty orders and bunker requirements. All qualities are in large demand for industrial and household purposes. Shipments during the past week amounted to 90,164 tons, against 73,077 in the preceding week, and 95,466 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. ____________________________________ ____________ | Current |L’st week’s! Last year’s 1 prices. ! prices. prices. Steam coal..............( 34/6 34/6 ! 27/6 Ell ..................__ I 32/6-35/ 32/6-35/ 26/6-28/ Splint........:................! 35/ -37/ ; 35/ -37/ ! 28/ -30/ Treble nuts ............i 30/ 30/ j 23/ Double do............... 29/ 29/ ! 22/ Single do...............| 28/ 28/ ' 21/ IRON. There is still no change to report regarding the Scotch iron trade. Makers are certainly more inclined to give more attention to private requirements, and also to prepare for post-war possibilities, but the amount of war work on hand is too large to admit of much expansion in ordinary business at present. Supplies of haematite and foundry qualities of pig iron are very scarce, and practically confined to war work. The export department is virtually at a standstill, as shipments are almost wholly confined to Allied requirements. Quotations, therefore, are of little value, as any figure would be paid if deliveries were guaranteed. The output of malleable iron continues at a high rate. Though orders for delivery after the war are plentiful, makers are accepting very little outside the high priority class in either iron or steel. Black sheets are in demand. All classes of engineers, and particularly structural, are exceptionally busy at present, wh le some are making ready to meet post-war demands. _________________ Scotland. Eastern District. COAL. In the Lothians shipping enquiries show a considerable falling off, and local consumers are receiving better supplies. Shipments amounted to 18,084 tons, compared with 18,857 in the preceding week, and 19,031 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... 33/6 33/6 26/6 Secondary qualities 32/6 32/6 25/6 Treble nuts 30/ 30/ 23/ Double do I / 1 29 29/ 22/ Single do 28/ 28' i ; 21/ The shipping business at the Fifeshire ports is also on the decrease, and here again local consumers are reaping the benefit. Clearances amounted to 22,788 tons, against 29,198 in the preceding week, and 24,165 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 36/ -38/ 36/ -38/ 29/ -31/ 24/ -25/ Unscreened do 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ First-class steam coal 35/ 35/ 28/ Third-class do. ! 31/ 31/ 24/ Treble nuts 30/ ‘ 29/ ! 28/ ; 30/ | 23/ Double do 291 I 22/ Single do. ... ... 28/ 21/ All prices quoted only apply to French, Italian, and Portuguese shipments. Household coal in the Glasgow district has been increased by l|d. per cwt. making coal 2s. 2d. to 2s. 4d. per bag for deliveries under one ton. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 131,036 tons, compared with 121,132 tons in the preceding week and 138,662 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. _________ ________ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. A week ago the market was suffering from some depres- sion, by reason of the scarcity of official tonnage and railway trucks and the new schedule of minimum prices of coal and coke for shipment to neutrals. The new Order seems to have been fairly well assimilated, and is no longer a factor interrupting business. During the last few days, also, there has been a great improvement in the arrivals of requisitioned steamers and a considerable betterment in the supply of railway wagons. The result is that the market is now exceedingly brisk, and collieries are having even more inducement than usual to produce at their maximum capacity of output. The demand for fuel on Government, Allied and home accounts is very consider- able; that for neutrals is as large as ever. Official and home accounts are absorbing the greater proportion of the output, and only in rare cases are neutrals able to secure supplies for early loading. The bunker section still favours them, the stocks of bunkers continuing to be in excess of the demand, although even here the request is improving and an inroad is being made into the accumula- tion. In the coke section the market is quiet and supplies to meet current demands are ample, but all that is lacking is a larger ingress of official and neutral tonnage. The collieries are all working well at present, but the output is still Effected by influenza, a scourge which as yet shows little sign of abatement in this district. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. ! Current Steam coals :— prices. Best, Bly ths (D.C.B.) ... 37' —70/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 36/6—69/ Secondary, Blyths .... 32/6-64/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 34 -64/ Unscreened .......... 30 6-61/8 Small, Blyths ......... 27/ -45/ Do. Tynes................ 25/6-42/ Do. specials ....... 27/6-45/ Other sorts: — Smithies.......... ___ 32/ -60/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 32/ -55/ Secondary gas coais (Pelaw Main or similar) 30/6-52,6 Special gas coals ...... 33/6-57/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 31/ - 55/ Do. do. Northumbrians 31/ -55/ Coking coals............. 31/ -55/ Do. smalls ____ 31/ -551 House coals .......... 35/6-70/ .......... Coke, foundry ............ 49/65/ Do. blast-furnace...... 49/6-65/ .............. Do. gas .............. .... 47 6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. 37/ -70/ 30' -32/6 29 6-32/ 36/6-69/ 32/6-64/ 34/ -64 30 '6-61 8 27/ -45/ 25/6-42/ 27/6-45/ 32/ -60/ 32/ -55/ 30/6-52/6 33/6-57/ 31/ -55/ 31/ -55/ 31/ -55/ 31/ —5e>y 35/6-70/ 49/6-65/ 49 6-65/ 47,6 25 6-28/ 27/ -29 6 23/6-27 6 20/ -22 6 18 6-21/ 20/6-23/ 25/ -30/6 25/ -27/6 23/6 -26/ 26/6-29/ 26 6-27,6 26 6-27,6 24/ -27/6 2±l -27i6 28/6-32/6 42.6-45/ 42 6-45/ 32 6-35/ Sunderland. COAL. Substantial arrivals of tonnage over the week-end and a better supply of railway wagons combined to improve the outlook of the collieries, and consequently prompt coals are not pressed for sale. Odd lots are obtainable, but the pressure that exists from official sources, inland works and gas works is sufficient to take all the present output. For forward shipment the quantities officially allotted to neutrals are already booked up for quite three months ahead, and sellers offer only odd [ arcels. Business invariably depends on the issue of licences. Meantime, the demand far exceeds any possible prospect of supplies, and all prices are very steady at the minimum schedule. The higher grades show a decidedly strong tendency. Bunkers have moved more freely for prompt, but for forward positions the tone is quiet. Stocks of coke increase owing to the lack of shipping facilities, but with the Mediterranean war news so favourable merchants anticipate a speedy expansion of the demand. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. qqal There is very little alteration in the fuel position. Steamer tonnage continues scarce, and the situation as regards truck supply is very unsatisfactory. Thus, with means of distribution meagre, deliveries are much below what could be desired. Neutral trade is practically at a standstill—tonnage for this section being almost unobtain- able. Official demand, both on home and Allied account, is unabated, and still monopolises the bulk of the tonnage and transport. Bunker coal is reported plentiful, but, with tonnage scarce, little business is passing. General demand for coke continues heavy, and supply is somewhat better. Local needs are adequately dealt with. Average blast- furnace coke is 33s. at the ovens, and low phosphorus quality 35s. 6d. at the ovens. Foundry coke for neutrals is put at 65s. f.o.b. Middlesbrough docks. IRON. Considerable complaints continue to be heard that congestion on the railways and shortage of rolling stock seriously retards distribution of pig iron. The very strong representations that have been made by traders regarding scarcity of trucks have resulted in a little improvement at some of the works, but at others the position is quite as bad as ever, and, on the whole, the shortage is little relieved. Promise of better supply, however, is made. Wherever practicable, iron is being conveyed by lighter, and more coasting steamers are being used for delivery to Scotland and other home ports. Tonnage for abroad is fairly good, and exports to the Allies are maintained on a substantial scale. Cleveland foundry iron is less scarce than it has been, and on the other hand forge quality is less plentiful. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s.; and No. 1 is 99s.; and for shipment to France and Italy, No. 3 and the lower qualities are 122s 9d.; and No. 1 is 127s. 9d. Satisfactory account is given of the East Coast haematite department—the position having been much relieved by the more extensive use of basic iron for steel making. Both haematite and basic furnaces are working well, and there is no real shortage of either quality, but the make is all passing promptly into consumption. After meeting home necessities, fair parcels of haematite are available for despatch to the Allies. Mixed numbers are 122s. 6d. for home use, and 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. Pressure for delivery of finished iron and steel is heavy, but makers appear to be keeping pace with needs. Manufacturers are chiefly engaged on production of ship- building material and constructional steel. _______ _______ Cumberland. Mary port. COAL. The Cumberland coal and coke industries remain very firm and brisk. Business in all departments is well maintained. The output is fairly satisfactory. Shipments to Ireland are slightly lower than usual this week. It is still impossible, even with 4,000 tons of Northumberland and Durham coal coming in weekly, to keep the by-product coke ovens going at their full capacity. Landsale is very busy. Gas coal for home use is very firm. Engine fuels are in strong request, and there is a very steady demand for all classes of bunkers. There has been no alteration in either home or coastwise quotations. Best Cumberland coal at the pit is quieter at from 29s. to 29s. lOd. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 27s. 6d. to 28s. 2d. per ton. Best export coal is 26s. per ton.