February 9, 1917. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 287 Northumberland, Durham and Cleweland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. Dulness lias characterised the week's market, especially so far as prompt transactions are concerned. The shipping shortage is holding business in its grip as tightly as, at the time of writing, the severe frost holds many domestic water supplies. Practically speaking, prompt business has been found impossible. Coal stocks continue to mount up at the collieries, many of the pits in the two counties are recording unpleasantly-frequent spells of unemployment, and altogether the position is about as bad as it could possibly be, short of an absolute and total stoppage of production. Coal shippers have been hoping that the recent concessions as to freights for neutral steamers would have induced a considerable influx of tonnage, but the latest German threat of an extension of submarine “ frightfulness ’’ seems to have discouraged neutral ship owners for the time being. However, “coalmen" look with confidence to the Admiralty. The almost invariable steadiness of f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment furnishes an index to the want of activity in the market, for, on the week, the only prices which show any change are those of Durham unscreened bunkers, which are Is. reduced; blast- furnace coke, which is weaker ; and gas coke, which is Is. cheaper. It will be observed that the “ rot" has extended even into the coke section, which is now beginning to suffer from the lack of tonnage, the home demand being hardly sufficient to absorb the entire production nowadays. That prompt prices are unaltered is due to the general recognition of the futility of changing them at all at present when practically no shipping is available, for, even if they were halved, no greater volume of trade could be induced as things are. To buyers with spot vessels and licences, there are, as a matter of fact, quite substantial concessions obtainable—but such buyers do not appear to exist just now. The latest official information as to clear- ances of neutral steamers—detailed in the freight market report elsewhere in this issue—will, it is hoped, release a fairly large amount of neutral tonnage for coal-carrying purposes. Here, again, much depends on the success of Admiralty operations. So far as the forward market is concerned, there is any amount of enquiry, but the shadow of tonnage shortage hangs over the trade, and assurances as to greater accessible volumes of collier steamers will be needed ere the market can resume its old activity. The main item of interest on the week has been the further allotment by the Swedish State Railways of orders in respect of its steam coal requirements for delivery up to the end of June. Last week we announced that 100,000 tons of Scottish coal had been arranged for. Now further orders are reported concerning 120,000 tons of Northumber- land and Durham, steams. Quantities of from 10 000 to 20,000 tons are to be drawn from various merchant firms or, in some instances, direct from the collieries. One large order is for best Bly ths or Newbiggins at 29s. 9d. per ton f.o.b.; another is for best Bly ths at 31s., option Tyne primes at 29s., option best Durhams at 30s.; another for Tyne seconds (30,000 tons) at 25s. 3d.; and a fourth for Broomhills (25,000 tons) at 27s. Excepting in the two latter cases, it is not possible to give the exact quantities ordered, but the total is as stated. A report obtained circulation a day or two ago that 75,000 tons more of Northumbrian steams had been ordered by the Swedish Railways at from 24s. to 27s. for seconds, but enquiries elicit no confirmation of this rumour. It is stated, by the way, that merchants are now covering themselves in respect of their allotted contract quantities. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— prices. prices. 1 prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28/ 28/ 32/6 Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ . 25/ -27/6 or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ ' 27/6 Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 ' 25/ Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ . 15/ -16/ Do. Tynes 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ ! 19/ -20/ ‘ 13/ -14/ Do. specials Other sorts:— 19/ -20/ i 17/6 Smithies Best gas coals (New 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 23/ -25/ Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 26/ -28/ 1 26/ -28/ I 25/ -26/ j (Pelaw Main or similar) 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ ,24/ , Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. 31/ -33/ 31/ -33/ ' 25/ -26/ i 18/ -20/ 19/ -21/ i 25/ N orthumbrians 19/ -21/. 19/ -21/ 25/ Coking coals 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ ! 23/ Do. smalls 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ ' 21/ -23/ House coals 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/ 30/ -32/6 Coke, foundry 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ : 40/ -42/6 Do. blast-furnace ; 40/ -42/6 41/ -42/6 40/ Do. gas 30/ -33/ 31/ -33/ ! 26/ -27/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 55,925 tons of coal and 990 tons of coke, as compared with 64,365 tons of coal and 945 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1916, being a decrease of 8,440 tons of coal and an increase of 45 tons of coke. With shipping scarcer than ever, and chartering reduced to a state of stagnation for the time being, business in the coal market is conducted under great difficulties and is dull to a degree. Most classes of coal are on offer, and not a few of the pits are working irregularly, while exporters are more or less in need of prompt boats. Prices are generally weaker, but particularly second-class qualities and unscreened. Best gas coals are fairly held, but supplies can be had cheaper, special Wear gas being worth about 27s. A fair basis for coking coal is 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d., whilst bunkers are offering more freely, and can be had at about 18s. in the case of unscreened ordinaries. Coke is on the dull side, although demand keeps fairly good. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s [Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. | prices. Special Wear gas coals 27/ 27/6 27/6 Secondary do. 20/ 20/ i 24/6-25/ House coals:— 1 Best house coals 30/ 30/ 32/6 Ordinary do 24/ 24/ 27/6 •7 Other sorts :— Lambton screened 30/ 29/ 32/6 South Hetton do 30/ . 29/ 32/6 Lambton unscreened ... 18/6 19 6 26/ South Hetton do 18'6 19/6 25/6 Do. treble nuts 21/6-22/6 — 30/ Coking coals unscreened 19'6 20/ 24/6 Do. smalls 18/6 19/ 23'6-24/ Smithies 20/ 19'6 25/ Peas and nuts 25/ 26/ 27/6-28/ Best bunkers 21/. 21/6-22/ 28/ 28 6 Ordinary bunkers .18/ 19/3 24/6-25/ Coke:— Foundry coke ., 45/ 45/ 42/6 Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 30/ Gas coke 30/6-31/ 32/6 27/ Outward chartering is still stagnant, owing to the tonnage position, British boats being scarce and neutrals withhold pending developments. Merchants are quoting freely for all destinations, and rates consequently are firm. Recent fixtures for outside ports have been very few, and- include: Lisbon, 75s.; Gibraltar, 75s.; Savona (neutral station), 96s. 9d.; London, 16s.; Copenhagen, 70 kr.; Las Palmas, 37s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Most branches of |the coal tiade are dull, and apart from contracts very little Durham fuel is being shipped. Prices are rather difficult to fix, and are regulated according to the individual position of the collieries. Up to 26s. and 27s. 6d. are named for best Durham gas coal, but purchases can be made at round about 25s., and second sorts are obtainable at 18s., though some sellers ask up to 19s. Bunker coal is offered more freely. Ordinary Durhams are quoted 18s. to 18s. 6d., but can be bought at less. Up to 24s. is asked for special bunkers. Coking coal is on sale at 19s., but it is stated that business is possible at as low as 18s. Best foundry coke is put at 42s. 6d., and patent at 40s.; whilst gas coke is round about 32s. Demand for coke for local consumption continues heavy, with the result that the fixed maximum prices for furnace kinds, which have ruled for some considerable time past, are adhered to, and average blastfurnace sorts are 28s. at the ovens; whilst 30s. 6d. at the ovens is still named for qualities low in phosphorus. IRON. Delay in shipment of pig iron has provided more than an ample supply for home purposes. Deliveries generally to home users are good, but some consumers complain that they are inconvenienced by shortage of trucks. There is a good deal of business passing in Cleveland pig. Home demand is good, especially on forward account, and as both makers and users favour such business, a fair number of contracts for delivery ahead are being fixed up. Buying for Scotland continues on a rather extensive scale, and further sub- stantial enquiries on behalf of our Allies are reported. Some business is reported to have been done in Middlesbrough warrants at a high figure, the purchase being for ship- ment to a foreign port. For home consumption, No. 3, No. 4 foundry and No. 4 forge all stand at 87s. ^d., and No. 1 is 91s. 6d. For shipment to our Allies No. 3 ranges from 95s. to 100s., and 97s. 6d. may be given as a fair average quotation. No. 1 is 102s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 96s. 6d., and No. 4 forge 95s. 6d. There is little or no business passing’ with neutral countries, and for such transactions minimum quotations are 105s. for No. 3, and 110s. for No. 1. Home demand for east coast haematite iron is receiving adequate attention, and a fair quantity of iron is available for despatch abroad. Difficulty in obtaining export licences is not so great as it has been. A few permits for shipment this month have been granted, and licences have been issued for substantial exports to our AJlies in March. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use, 137s. 6d. for shipment to France, and 142s. 6d. for export to Italy. Imports of foreign ore must, under prevailing conditions, be regarded as on quite a satisfactory scale. So far this month unloadings at the port of Middlesbrough amount to 52,910 tons. So far as finished iron and steel are concerned, manufacturers are working at full pressure, and output is still increasing. It is gratifying to have the assurance that notwithstanding the pressure for delivery of other descriptions, production of material for mercantile shipbuilding is now very heavy, and continues to grow. Quotations all round are very stiff. -o*------- Cumberland. GOAL. A very firm tone continues to prevail in the coal and coke industries in West Cumberland. Business is exceedingly well maintained in the home and export branches, the collieries are as busy as they can possibly be in coping with the needs of local users, and the entire output of both coal and coke is meeting with a ready market. As far as some of the home branches are concerned, the situation has undergone very little change since last week. Supplies are not so scarce, and the shortage, more particularly on local works account, is not quite so marked as it was at the beginning of the year, but the position is still one of great difficulty. The demand for all varieties of fuel is as keen as ever, and local needs are still very large, but production has increased so much during the last fortnight that the collieries have had more coal to offer, and they have therefore been in a better position to deal with the requirements of their customers. There is not yet enough to go round, even in the home market —and it is not anticipated that the supply will be equal to the demand while the war lasts—but during the last few days users have been receiving more adequate supplies, and, at the moment, the outlook for both coastwise and local consumers is very much brighter than it has been for the last three months. All the pits are working six days a week, and outputs are gradually increasing all over the county. Most of the collieries have already booked sufficient business to keep them briskly engaged for some weeks, but if the present production is well maintained, they will soon be able to give considerably more attention to the requirements of Irish customers. The very severe frost is, no doubt, responsible for the increased liveliness in the house coal trade. Orders are coming in freely for both nuts and,, best round coal, and most of the depots have more orders on hand at present than they will be able to cope with for some time. Since the end of November there has been a clamorous demand for house coal, and landsale has probably not been so brisk in this district for some years. Gas coal is in firm demand all over the county; but, with the exception of shipping, the only stocks being sent away at present are on contract to the gas companies in the district. Locomo- tive fuels are in steady request for home consumption, but with the restricted train service now in operation, require- ments of local users are not quite so heavy as they were in December. Supplies are still rather scarce, and fully one- half of this class of fuel is being imported from outside districts. There has been no change in the position with regard to works fuel. Practically the whole of the produc- tion of manufacturing fuel is earmarked for the iron and steel and other important industries in West Cumberland, and while the present activity continues in the local iron, steel and engineering trades there cannot possibly be any diminution on this account. All the output of small coal is required for local use, and it is still necessary to import large quantities of coking coal for the north- east coast in order to keep all the coke ovens in full operation. The shipping trade at the Elizabeth dock has been rather busier than usual this week. Both house and works fuel are in very strong demand for export, but owing to the continued pressure in the home market, Irish merchants are still unable to secure, more than one-half of the amount of coal they need. The position, however, is gradually improving, and it is fully expected before the end of this month some of the collieries will be able to send increased supplies to the docks for shipment. During the week 13 vessels have sailed from Maryport with coals, mostly for Irish ports, and the shipments have amounted to 3,460 tons, compared with 3,400 at the corres- ponding period of last year, or an increase of 1,660 tons compared with the previous week. The largest cargoes were for Belfast, Newry, Londonderry, Carrickfergus and Larne. The shipments for the month were 7,695 tons compared with 12,370 tons for December and 17,510 tons this time last year. Coke is in firm demand, and all the by-product coke ovens in the county are in full operation. All the output is going to the blastfurnaces in West Cumberland and the Millom districts. There is continued activity in the by-products industry, and all the plants in this district are working at high pressure. Prices of all sorts are firm but unaltered Best Cumberland coal at the pit is quoted at from 22s. 6d. to 23s. 4d. per ton, with best washed nuts at from 20s lOd. to 21s. 3d. per ton. Best shipping coal is 19s. 6d. per ton f.o.b., at Maryport, with best washed nuts at 17s. 6d. per ton. Best gas coal is 20s. per ton, with washed nuts at 19s. per ton delivered in the district. Bunkers are in firm demand at from 21s. 6d. to 25s. for coastwise vessels and from 25s, to 30s. for foreign-going steamers. At Maryport, best house coal delivered is quoted at from Is. 5^d. 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 at 24s. 2d. per ton.- At Workington, best coal delivered is Is. 4d. per cwt., or 25s. lOd. per ton, with best double-screened washed nuts at Is. 3d. per cwt., or 24s. 2d. per ton. Other current quotations are as follow : — . Best Cumberl’nd coal at pit Best washed nuts at pit... Buckhill best coal „ ... Do. double-scrned washed nuts at pit Oughterside best coal at pit Oughterside best washed nuts at pit St. Helens (Siddick) best coal at pit St. Helens best house nuts at pit Best dry small at pit ...... Best steam nuts „ Best Cumberl’nd coal, f.o.b. Best washed nuts, f.o.b. ... Best bunkers (coastwise) Do. (for foreign-going steamers) Bunkers (mixed nuts and steam coal) (coastwise) Do. (foreign) Best coal for gasworks ... Best washed nuts for gas- works Current prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ ' 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 25/ 20/ 19/ L’st week’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 ■ 21/ 22/6 21/ 22/6 21/ 12/6 19/ 19/6 17/6 25/ 30/ 21/6 25/ 20/ 19/ Last year’s prices. 23/4 21/3 22/6 21/ 22/6 • 21/ 22/6 ' 31/ 12/ 19/ 19/6 17/6 19/ . 19/ 17/ -17/6 17/ -17/6 19/3 18/3 IRON. . The Cumberland and North Lancashire haematite pig iron trade continues strong. All the plants are working at high pressure, and the production is expanding. Although smelters are doing their, utmost to secure a tonnage which is equal to the demand, they are still unable to meet the ever-growing requirements which are imposed upon them. The demand continues on an extensive scale, and the supply of both special and ordinary iron is much below what is required. A good deal of business is being offered, but as a large proportion of the make is being taken by the Government, only a small margin can be accepted. Strenuous efforts are being made to increase the output of metal, and it is stated that several furnaces in the district, two of which are in West Cumberland, are almost ready for lighting. With such an abnormal demand for iron, prices are easily maintained at the Government maximum, and Bessemer mixed numbers are again quoted at 127s. 6d. per ton f.o.t. with warrants at cash at 115s. per ton. Special low phosphorus iron is 140s. per ton, and semi-special iron is quoted at 135s. per ton f.o.t. The demand, for ferro- manganese is rather quiet. The output is drawn from 30 furnaces, 21 of which are in Cumberland and the remaining nine in the Furness area. The Workington Iron