Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 08 June 1903

The Hull Coal Trade

Position Well Maintained

The return of the Hull Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, showing the extent of the traffic in coal at the third port during May, is not unpleasant reading. As compared with the same period of 1902, increases are notified both in regard to imports and exports, and though the figures are not large, they go to show that the improvement which has been noticed since the opening of the year is not a mere flash, but a genuine increase in the general call for the class of coal with which Hull deals.

This being so, therefore, the present returns is highly satisfactory. Since January, 1,354,672 tons have been forwarded into Hull, as compared with 1,228,896 tons in the first five months of last year, an increase of 125,776 tons.

The quantity sent during May reached the total of 315,312 tons, which compares with the 281,248 tons sent in the corresponding month of a year ago, or an increase of 34,064 tons.

During the month 33,112 tons were exported to places round the coast, London alone taking 20,925 tons, Littlehampton 3,057 tons, Southampton 2,935 tons, and Faversham 1,060 tons, these being the only places to take a four-figure tonnage.

In the previous months this year the increase in the foreign exports has been accounted for by the unusual demand from the United States, who, during January, February, March, and April took the 118,272 tons which practically represents the difference between the export totals of this year and last year. Last month, however, the States did not receive a single ton from Hull, but the increase was maintained to the extent of 10,831 tons, the respective totals being 156,798 tons and 125,967 tons South America accounted for 8,607 tons of the increase, and there is also a big jump in the receipts by Sweden, which increased from 28,332 in May of last year to 46,103 tons this year, an eventuality accounted for by the earlier opening of the ports. North Russia, however, declines from 48,972 tons to 38,656 tons, and Germany from 18,266 tons to 9,463 tons, but there is not much fluctuation elsewhere.

Denaby and Cadeby is back in its old position, doing the immense business it did before the strike. Last month 41,816 tons were forwarded from this colliery, as against 40,104 tons in May of a year ago. Aldwarke Main comes second with 26,680 tons, against 17,056 tons; Carlton Main third, with 16,272 tons against 14,824 tons; Hickleton fourth, with 15,744 tons against 11,944 tons. The principal contributions from the South Yorkshire district were:—

Colliery Tonnages