July 24, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 201 THE COAL ANO IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 23. Scotland,—Western District. COAL. The coal trade in the West of Scotland was very active during the past week. Collieries were busily employed clearing up before the holidays, and consumers were also pressing for extra supplies in order to guard themselves against the probability of a lock-out, and consequently any available coal has been eagerly taken up, and prices are much firmer. It has been reported that as much as 17s. 6d. was obtained for best quality splints. In view, however, of the small amount of free coal at the collieries it is impossible to say accurately what current prices are. The clearances at the various ports in the district were heavy, and the total of 130,071 tons compares with 117,168 in the preceding week, and 107,080 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal.............. Ell .................... Splint.................. Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 11/3-13/3 12/ -12/6 12/ -13/ 12/ -12/3 11/6-11/9 11/ —11/3 L’st week’s |Last year’s prices. | prices. 10/9-12/9 I 121 -14/6 11/3-11/6 i 12/6-13/ 11/3-14/6 I 12/9-15/ 11/ -11/6 ! 12/6-12/9 10/9-11/ ! 11/6-11/9 10/3-10/6 ' 11/3-11/6 IRON. The holiday feeling was so prevalent in the Glasgow pig iron warrant market during the past week that business was, with the exception of one session on Tuesday, when 1,500 tons changed hands, absolutely at a standstill. Prices moved only to a very slight extent, and Cleveland iron closed M- per ton below the previous week at 51s. 3^d. per ton cash buyers. Middlesbrough stores have increased by 2,152 tons during the week, and now stand at 80,749 tons. There are 64 furnaces in blast in Scotland compared with 69 in the preceding week, and 88 at this time last year. Monkland is quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 61s., No. 3, 59s. 6d.; Govan, No. 1, 60s. 6d., No. 3, 59s. 6d.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 65s. 6d., No. 3, 61s.; Clyde, No. 1, 66s., No. 3, 61s.; Gartsherrie, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 66s. 6d., Nos. 3, 61s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 70s., No. 3, 65s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 60s., No. 3, 59s.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 61s., No. 3, 59s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 66s. 6d., No. 3, 61s. 6d.; Carron at Grangemouth, No 1, 67s., No. 3,62s. per ton. The import of pig iron into Grangemouth from Middlesbrough and district amounted to 9,276 tons for the week. Scotland-—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians district is very brisk. All classes of coal are in active demand, and good prices are being realised. Shipments amounted to 103,554 tons, com- pared with 124,617 in the preceding week and 65,945 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 12/ -12/6 11/6 12/9-13/ Secondary qualities 11/ -11/6 10/6 11/9-12/ Treble nuts 12/ -12/6 11/6 13/ Double do 11/3-11/9 10/9-11/ 12/ -12/6 Single do 11/ -11/3 10/6-10/9 11/3-11/6 The Eifeshire collieries were extremely busy during the week. Arrivals at Methil and Burntisland were heavy, and collieries were hard pressed in order to get the steamers finished and away before the stoppage. . The bulk of the outputs have been definitely booked for some considerable time, and fresh business cannot be arranged in the mean- time. The clearances from the district reached the total of 123,329 tons, compared with 120,969 in the preceding week and 129,385 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Lasty ear’s prices. coal 16/ -16/6 15/9-16/ 16/9-17/ Unscreened do 14/6 14/ 14/6-15/ First-class steam coal 12/ -13/ 12/6-12/9 14/3-15/ Third-class do 10/ -10/3 10/ -10/3 11/6-12/9 Treble nuts 12/ -12/6 11/- 11/9 13/9-14/ Double do 11/3-11/9 10/9—11/3 12/9-13/3 Single do 10/9-11/ 10/3-10/6 11/6—11/9 r. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 356,954 tons, compared with 362,754 in the preceding week and 302,410 tons in the corresponding week of 1913. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week, 154,979 tons of coal and 1,459 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 20,717 tons of coal and a decrease of 882 tons of coke when com- pared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 61,223 tons of coal, and 2,030 tons of coke, a decrease of 2,349 tons of coal, and an increase of 1,273 tons of coke. The Bly th shipments amounted 94,177 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 9,114 tons. There has beon a considerable volume of forward business done since last report. Second-hand holders are stated to have disposed of best Blyth steams for delivery over next year at 13s. per ton f.o.b. Blyth, and to have sold 20,000 tons of similar fuel for like delivery at 13s. 3d. The colliery quotation is not less than 13s. 6d. Bunker sales include the following:—About 100,000 tons of superior Durhams, for delivery over next year, at 12s. f.o.b.; 30,000 tons good quality Durhams, shipment over 12 months, at Ils. 9|d.; a substantial quantity of Morrison’s Marley Hill bunkers, for delivery over 1915, at 12s.; and 25,000 tons superior Durhams, for delivery over next year, at 12s. 6d. f.o.b. Tees. Gas coal for forward shipment has been in brisk demand. One colliery alone is stated to have recently concluded contracts for the delivery of over 500,000 tons of bests over 1915 at about 12s. f.o.b. Quantities of good seconds for like shipment have been sold at Ils. 3d. The Gothenburg Gasworks are stated to have contracted for 16,500 tons of Durham gas bests, for delivery over 12 months, at about 16s. 7|d. c.i.f. The order has been given to Swedish merchants. Merchants are stated to be offering Tyne gas primes for shipment over next year at from 13s. l|d. to 13s. 3d. Offers of 26,000 tons of Durham gas coal for shipment to the Aarhuus Gasworks over 12 months have been submitted. A large Continental house is stated to be purchasing Durham gas coal for delivery over next year rather extensively. Best coking smalls are stated to have been sold for delivery from now to the end of next March at Ils. 3d. f.o.b. Dunston. From 60,000 to 70,000 tons of Durham coking coal have been sold for delivery over next year at from 10s. 6d. to 11s. It is reported that the Trignac Ironworks, Spain, have decided to defer con- tracting for their triennial supplies of Durham coking coal —regarding present prices as too high—and are buying “from hand-to-mouth.” In addition to the purchases of British steam coals effected by the Russian State Railways for 19T5-16 delivery, it is stated to be probable that these railways will shortly be enquiring for about 250,000 tons of steams for delivery over the remainder of the present season. The Russian merchants who have secured the 1915-16 contracts are now inviting offers of from 30,000 to 40,000 tons of Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire or Derbyshire coal for delivery up to the end of the season. The prompt market has been considerably hampered during the week because of the marine engineers’ strike, which, it must be admitted, is now giving more trouble, owing to the recent decision of the strikers’ executive to hold up all Federation vessels. There is a pronounced shortage of tonnage, and the river is becoming very much congested. Many vessels which are fully loaded are unable to proceed to sea. Unless a “way out” of the present trouble can be found or forced, disordered turns and suspension of coal production are bound to ensue. Colliery owners are watching the situation in Scotland very keenly, in the belief that a stoppage of the mines there would react favourably on the local market. The market has been remarkably steady during the week, the only changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment being the following : —Best Blyth steams are 6d. dearer ; Tynes, similarly advanced ; Blyth steam smalls, 3d. cheaper; gas bests, firmer ; and gas coke, Is. cheaper. Later.—Twelve thousand tons of good ordinary Durham bunkers are stated to have been sold for delivery over 12 months from August, at Ils. 6d. per ton f.o.b.; 40,000 tons of Durham gas seconds, for shipment over next year, have been sold at 11s. 3d. It is reported that negotiations are in progress for a considerable quantity of Durham gas bests, for shipment over next year, at 12s. 3d. per ton f.o.b., a figure which indicates a rise of 3d. per ton when compared with the prices recently accepted for similar fuel for like delivery. 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. N orthumbr ians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 15/3-15/6 14/6-15/ 12/ 12/ -12/3 10/6-11/6 8/9 8/ 9/ - 9/6 12/6 13/3 11/9-12/ 13/6-13/9 11/6-12/9 10/9-11/9 12/ 11/6-12/ 15/ -16/ 19/ -21/ 18/ 12/ -13/ L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 1 prices. 14/9-15/ : 15/ -15/3 14/ -14/6 1 15/ 12/ i 13/ 12/ -12/3 I 13/3-13/6 10/6-11/6 11/9-12/6 9/ 1 9/3-9/9 8/ 8/ 9/ - 9/6 > 10/ 12/6 ! 13/6-14/ 13/ -13/3 13/9-14/104 11/9-12/ ■ 13/6-13/9 13/6-13/9 i 15/3-15/6 11/6-12/9 ! 13/ -14/ 10/9-11/9 ! 12/ -12/6 12/ I 13/6-13/9 11/6-12/ ‘ 13/ -13/6 15/ -16/ : 15/6 19/ -21/ 22/ -24/ 18/ ; 19/ -20/ 12/ -14/ ■ 16/6-17/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 88,540 tons of coal and 120 tons of coke, as compared with 95,740 tons of coal and 400 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1913, being a decrease of 7,200 tons of coal and 280 tons of coke. Apart from some irregularity due to dislocation of turns by the marine engineers’ strike, there is very little change to record in the coal market; the general tone, however, is somewhat unsettled, tonnage is not offering freely for early loading, and there are fears that if the strike continues a scarcity of boats and disordered turns will be experienced before long. So far, shipments have been well maintained, and the bulk of the collieries are working steadily with the exception of some producing bunker coals. Prices all round are fairly well held at late figures, but business is only small and hardly sufficient to test the market. For August loading, both buyers and sellers are acting cautiously. It is the general opinion that there will be a stoppage of the miners in Scotland next month, and in consequence there is a tendency to hold on to coal for an anticipated advance in prices. The only change in current quotations is for bunker coals, which are offered more plentifully for prompt loading. It is reported that the Gothenburg Gasworks have contracted for 30,000 tons of Wear specials on the basis of 16s. 7>|d. c.i.f. It is said that Tyne prime gas coals are offering at 13s. l^d. to 13s. 3d. over next year. Offers to supplythe Aarhuus Gasworks with 26,000 tons have been sent forward. Quotations are approximately as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 13/6 . 13/6 15/3-15/6 Secondary do. 12/3 12/3 13/6-14/ House coals:— Best house coals 16/ 16/ 16/3 Ordinary do 15/ 15/ 15/6 Other sorts :— Lambton screened 14/6 14/6 15/6 South Hetton do 14/3 14/3 12/3 15/ Lambton unscreened ... 12/ 13/3 South Hetton do 12/ 12/3 13/3 Do. treble nuts 15/6 15/6 16/6-16/9 Coking coals unscreened 12/3 12/6 13/9 Do. smalls 12/ 12/3 13/6 Smithies 15/ 15/ 13/6 Peas and nuts 15/6 15/6 14/ Best bunkers 13/ 13/3 14/3-14/3 Ordinary bunkers 12/ 12/3 13/ -13/3 Coke:— Foundry coke 20/6 21/ 22/6 Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 19/6 20/ 19/6-20/ Gas coke 13/ 13/ 18/ Chartering, though somewhat quieter than last week, is still fairly good. Rates show very little change, being steady for the Mediterranean and Baltic, but easy for the Bay ports, and decidedly weaker for the coast. Recent fixtures include : — Coasting : London, 3s.; Hamburg, 3s. 4|d.; Antwerp, 3s. 6d. Bay: Bordeaux, 5s. 9d.; St. Nazaire, 5s. 6d.; Lisbon, 6s. 3d. Baltic: Cronstadt, 5s.; Abo, 5s. 3d.; St. Petersburg, 5s. 3d; Windau, 4s. 6d.; Pillau, 4s. 6d.; Memel, 4s. 4|d.; Fairwater, 5s.; Norrkoping, 5s. Mediterranean: Genoa, 7s. 3d.; Naples, 7s. 3d.; Palermo, 8s. 6d.; Messina, 8s.; Malta, 6s. 3d.; Port Said, 7s. 4|d.; Nice, 8s. 6d.; Venice, 8s. 3d.; Marseilles, 7s. 3d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. There is not very much doing in the fuel market, and, in view of the threatened trouble amongst Scotch miners, both buyers and sellers are operating very cautiously. Durham superior bunkers are 13s. 9d. to 14s., with ordinaries at Ils. 9d. Coking coal, unscreened, is Ils. 9d. to 12s., with smalls Ils. 6d. to Ils. 9d. Wear specials are obtainable at 14s. 6d. Household coal is easier at 17s. for ordinaries and 18s. for bests. Gas house coke is 13s. to 13s. 6d., and blast- furnace coke 17s. 6d. delivered at furnaces. Foundry coke 19s. to 20s. The enquiry for the two last-named qualities was of a very limited character. IRON. There has been an improved tone in the iron market during this week, and business has been a little more plentiful. Prices are being steadily maintained, sellers apparently taking an optimistic view of business prospects in the near future. A brisk autumn demand is thought likely to prevail, and the position is strengthened by the firm statistical condition of the pig iron trade. New business has found its way on to producers’ order books. Enquiries too are to hand from Continental sources. Business in g.m.b. pig iron would not be done under 51s. 6d. per ton, whilst for special brands 6d. more than the g.m.b. quotation is asked. A slight decline in exports is reflected by the increase in the stock of Cleveland pig iron in the warrant stores, which now totals 81,426 tons ; slightly over 3,000 tons have been added this month. Cleveland warrants are 51s. 3|d. cash buyers, and 51s. 5d. sellers ; No. 1 iron, 53s. 6d.; foundry No. 4, 51s. 3d.; forge No. 4, 50s. 9d.; mottled and white, 50s. 3d. per ton; east coast haematite, 59s. per ton. There is a slight improvement in the enquiry for finished iron and steel. Heavy steel rails, <£5 12s. 6d. net, f.o.b. delivery ; steel ship plates, £6; iron ship plates, £6 15s.; steel boiler plates, £7 : basic steel bars, £6 5s.; all less 2| per cent, discount. Rubio ore is obtainable at 17s. ex-ship Tees. According to the quarterly returns of the- Middlesbrough Chamber of Commerce issued this week, the- number of furnaces in blast at the end of June was 50, as against 60 in the second quarter of 1913. The output of pig iron in Middlesbrough during the months of April, May,, and June was 595,000 tons, 355,000 tons of which was Cleveland iron, and 240,000 tons haematite, spiegel, basic, and other special irons. In the previous three months, the- make was 630,000 tons, of which 330,000 tons was Cleveland,, and 300,000 tons haematite, &c., and for the second quarter of a year ago, the production amounted to 715,000 tons, 415,000 tons being Cleveland, and 300,000 tons haematite, &c. The imports of foreign ore into Middlesbrough during the quarter reached 490,768 tons, as against 519,045 tons during the previous quarter, and 608,749 tons during the second quarter of 1913. South-West Lancashire. COAL. The inland household trade for actual consumption is essentially a July one. A small delivery is in progress, however, over and above this for stocking purposes, where it is usual to lay in more or less at this time of the year. In screened forge coals all that can be said is that moderate quantities are moving away. The conditions prevailing in the steam coal market are pretty much as reported last week. The strike of Dock Board men continues, and cranes are idle. This affects business somewhat, although steam- ship requirements are rather restricted. Prices for screened Lancashire steam coals are nominally 12s. 3d. to Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). House coal:— Best ..............., Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Medium................ Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) Kitchen............... Common (f.o.b. Grstn.,net) Screened forge coal..... Best scrnd. steam coal f.o.b. Best slack ............. Secondary slack ........ Common do............... Current prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/9-13/3 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 L’st week’s prices. 17/ 16/6-16/9 15/3 14/6-15/ 13/ 13/3-13/9 11/6-12/ 12/6-13/3 9/9 9/ 8/ - 8/6 Last year’s- prices. 16/3 16/6-17/ 14/6 15/ -15/6 12/3 13/9-14/6 12/6-13/ 13/3-14/3 10/6 9/9 9/3