Sheffield Independent — Saturday, 7 January 1905, page 9

Hull Coal Traffic

The Year’s Increased Trade

Considering the fact that during the year some of the West Yorkshire collieries worked scarcely four days per week, and that many in South Yorkshire met all demands by working four and five days at most, the quantity of coal sent to Hull is astonishing. Such are the appliances at some of the South Yorkshire collieries that almost any demand can be met. These, aided by railway facilities, places the district coal trade near the forefront of any coal-mining district.

As anticipated the tonnage imported last year shows that it was the next best on record, the exception being the year of the boom in the coal trade, when nearly four and a quarter million tons were imported. The figures for the year are 3,552,032 tons, against 3,431,456 tons in 1903, an increase of no less than 120,576 tons. The exports for last year reached 1,581,196, compared with 1,564,023 tons in 1903, an increase of 17,167 tons. The business done coastwise has improved, last year 310,888 tons being dealt with, against 295,531 tons in 1903, an increase of over 15,000 tons.

With regard to the coal imported, the sources of supply were much the same as in 1903. The year opened fairly well, and it is a remarkable fact that the imports of March, 1903 and 1904, are identical. There was some slight difference in the tonnage of April and May, but during the month of June substantial headway was made. At the end of the half-year the tonnage reached 1,640,136 tons, an increase of something like 12,000 tons on the business done in the first half-year of 1903. The business done during the month of July continued to show progress, but trade fell off a little during the month of August. At the close of September the tonnage was over 45,000 tons ahead of that of 1903. The traffic continued to slightly increase up to the end of the year, and, as anticipated, the year proved the best on record with the exception of that of 1900.

There has during the year been but little deviation in the sources of supply, but a remarkable feature is the capacity of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries. Last year this firm consigned 621,520 tons to Hull, being an increase of 216,000 tons compared with 1903, when labour troubles prevailed. The tonnage sent is far ahead of any consignment hitherto sent, although in 1900, when steam coal made 15s. to 16s. per ton, the firm contributed 559,000 tons. The tonnage sent is something like 12,000 tons per week. Only six other firms during the year supplied 100,000 tons and over. This is somewhat remarkable in view of the important developments which many Yorkshire firms have made.

Aldwarke Main claims the second place on the list with 189,032 tons, but the firm from some causes had a decrease of over 10,000 tons. Shireoaks, which ranks third, and practically sends all the coal imported by water, supplied 177,304 tons, an increase of about 15,000 tons. Peckfield, a well-known West Yorkshire firm, advantageously situated for business with Hull, supplied 160,472 tons, being an increase of over 22,000 tons. Hickleton Main takes the fifth position with 159,504 tons, there being a slight decrease in the business done compared with 1903. The combined pits of Carlton Main and Grimethorpe are sixth with 107,600, being a decrease of nearly 10,000 tons. Garforth ranks seventh with 103,756 tons, being an increase of 23,000 tons on the business done in 1903.

Manvers Main and Wath Main border close on the coal-mining pitch sent 100,000 tons. With regard to the exportation of coal from Hull it may be stated that one-half of the coal shipped found its way to Sweden and North Russia, and both countries take something like 20 per cent. of their entire needs from Hull. Last year Sweden had an increase of something like 35,000 tons, and North Russia has received 21,000 tons more than in 1903. The exports in the latter year were exceptional owing to the fact that in the early part of the year the United States, then in the midst of their own labour troubles, took something like 120,000 tons more than usual from Hull. With that exception, the export trade throughout the year has been somewhat in the course of 1903. The following table shows the tonnage sent by the leading collieries during the last four years:—