The South Yorkshire Collieries and the Hull Coal Trade.

In the present depressed state of the coal trade the return of the quantity of steam coal forwarded to the port of Hull cannot fail to be read with interest. It is satisfactory to note that during the month of February there was an increase of 12,752 tons over the quantity sent in the corresponding period of last year. The total tonnage sent in February was 90,536, against 77,784 last year, or 186,416 in the first two months of the year, and 176,892 in the same period of 1883.

It is not without interest to note that a dozen South Yorkshire Collieries supplied more than the increase displayed during the month, and with Shireoak and Allerton Main added, the fourteen firms sent 40,868 tons, against 22,452, or an increase of 18,416 tons when compared with last year. The most striking feature of the position is that Denaby, although heading the list, only supplied 10,936, against 11,024 last year. The West Riding and Silkstone Collieries, which for a long time last year stood second, are only accredited with 2016, against 4176 last year. The Elsecar Collieries, for the most part owned by Earl Fitzwilliam, suffered materially, supplying only 2872, against 4748, whilst Wintwood fell off to 1920, against 2216 tons last year.

In fact, seven of the leading firms in Yorkshire, which usually supply a large portion of the traffic, only sent 21,660 tons last month, against 27,808 in Feb., 1883, being a decrease of over 6000 tons. Whilst many collieries of position exhibited a decline, Manvers Main supplied 6200, against 3040. Corton Wood, an adjoining pit, sent 2328, against 816. Carlton, another new colliery on the Midland, is accredited with 3064, against 1776. Hemsworth jumped from 336 tons last year to 2480 last month; Monk Bretton from 1820 to 2240 in Feb., 1884; Kilnhurst sent 1232 tons last month, against 512 last year; Roundwood 2544 tons, against 1144; Shireoaks 6848 tons, against 3976; and Allerton Main Collieries, in the West Riding, 7184, against 5683 tons.

The competition in the trade is said to be very keen indeed, and this would seem to be the case, for Denaby Main, the nearest South Yorkshire Colliery, and Frystone Colliery, the nearest pit in the West Riding to the port, both show a rather sharp falling off. The exports for the month were 25,435 tons, against 25,849 last year, or 54,400 tons in the last two months, against 62,852 tons in January and February, 1883.

Analysis:

Denaby – 10,936 tons (11,024 tons)
West Riding & Silkstone Collieries – 2,016 tons (4,176 tons)
Elsecar Collieries – 2,872 tons (4,748 tons)
Wintwood – 1,920 tons (2,216 tons)
Manvers Main – 6,200 tons (3,040 tons)
Corton Wood – 2,328 tons (816 tons)
Carlton – 3,064 tons (1,776 tons)
Hemsworth – 2,480 tons (336 tons)
Monk Bretton – 2,240 tons (1,820 tons)
Kilnhurst – 1,232 tons (512 tons)
Roundwood – 2,544 tons (1,144 tons)
Shireoaks – 6,848 tons (3,976 tons)
Allerton Main (West Riding) – 7,184 tons (5,683 tons)

General Trade Totals

Total February 1884 – 90,536 tons (77,784 tons)
First two months 1884 – 186,416 tons (176,892 tons)
Exports February – 25,435 tons (25,849 tons)
Exports Jan–Feb 1884 – 54,400 tons (62,852 tons)