Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 07 March 1904

Hull Coal Trade in February
Slight Decreases

The usual return of the Hull Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping of the bulk of trade done at Hull during February last on the whole compares favourably with the return of the corresponding month of last year, for though decreases are noted they are easily accounted for by the fact that in 1903 the coal war in the United States threw a considerable amount of trade into this country, and although Wales took the greatest benefit, 94,480 tons were shipped from Hull to the States during January and February, whereas in the two months just passed the total tonnage did not go beyond the insignificant total of 477 tons. When it is considered, therefore, that over a third of the total receipts at Hull up to this point of last year were for the one customer, reduced dealings, with that customer absent, are only a natural expectation.

The total amount received at Hull last month was 218,640 tons, a reduction of 43,088 tons as compared with the 261,728 tons forwarded a year ago. The figures for the two months’ trading are 482,592 tons this year, and 515,232 tons last year. The exports are similarly down. Last month 73,026 tons were sent abroad, as compared with 104,861 tons in the corresponding month of a year ago; the two months’ figures are, respectively, 150,238 tons this year, and 236,776 tons last year. Sweden were the largest customers last month, taking 13,245 tons, against 9,543 tons; Germany, 12,459 tons, against 14,241 tons; South America, 9,425 tons, against 9,339 tons; Holland, 6,356 tons, against 5,851 tons; North Russia, 4,715 tons, against 5,152 tons; West Indies, 4,808 tons, against nil; Italy, 4,785 tons, against nil, etc. Coastwise exports amounted to 22,207 tons, of which amount London alone took 12,090 tons, Gravesend being the only other place to receive a four-figure tonnage.

Of the individually contributing collieries, Denaby and Cadeby forwarded the largest amount, viz., 34,224 tons, against 3,184 tons, of a year ago, when the strike was in operation. Kilnhurst and Thrybergh come second with 14,176 tons, against 11,048 tons; Swinton, third, with 11,912 tons, against 10,728 tons; Hickleton, fourth, with 11,048 tons, against 12,032 tons; and Peckfield, fifth, with 10,760 tons, against 17,280 tons. No other single colliery sent a five-figure tonnage. Fuller details are appended.