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Worms & C°

Cardiff, 7th December 1917
Messrs Worms & C° - Paris

Dear Sirs,
We beg to confirm our letter of yesterday and are in due receipt of your favour of the 4th inst. Situation. Arrivals were not so numerous, and the bulk thereof needed repairs of one sort or another. As the weather has reverted to the wet and stormy type, much tonnage is likely to remain overdue. Beyond the brief comment that "Itria" ss is "somewhere in safety" nothing; can be heard of her. That the enemy menace is less acute, is shown by the fact that all vessels detained in this vicinity, has now been allowed to proceed on their voyages.
Coal Controler. Received various deputations yesterday of dissident Coalowners from all parts of the Country, also reallocated yesterday orders for the inland trade during the current month, and thereby much upset various collieries' arrangements. Thus all the Monmouthshire Coalowners are pressing for export orders, more than ever.
Ships Stores Order. As an off set to the reports circulating yesterday that same is to be modified or withdrawn, it is now publicly announced that the text thereof will be published officially, to-morrow or early next week. The uncertainty is handicapping badly those people having vessels to victual within the next week or so, and until the matter is cleared up, none of your steamers should trust to supplying themselves on this side.
Port Said. "Itria" ss. Despite much difficulty the arrangements for starting her loading immediately after arrival still remain open. "Colaba" ss. Is reported to have left London yesterday afternoon. We want if possible to put an interval between the two boats sailings. Allocation of holds has not yet been definitely arranged, as much depends on the amount of bunkers, owners decide they may take.
Coke. Existing supplies are quite inadequate to meet preferential enquiries, for limitation areas and British inland needs. There is no chance of our being allowed the necessary 160 tons for the Suez Canal Co for either of the above steamers, even if we could get Owners to allow shipment.
Stores/Port Said, etc. Have been put aboard "Australpeake" ss which may be sailing at any moment. We understood from what Owners said, that they would be taken gratuitously. Unfortunately some of our of sorts neighbours have shipped amongst them over 20 tons of Goods of sorts, and therefore we like them will have to pay freight at coal rate, which cannot be helped.
Tonnage. We have nothing to add to our remarks of yesterday.
Algiers. Some French Boat, we understand, may likely become available for allocation to this Port to load a week hence. Seemingly we have little chance of getting her, having regard to the favourable treatment we have lately experienced.
Havre. "Petra Lea" ss goes to the Tyne, and we have fully informed Newcastle as to her peculiarities. "Tordenskjold" ss. Was finished in time for yesterday mid-day's tide, but at almost the last minute the Mate resigned, and Captain had a busy time getting another. The embargo now being off, she will sail between mid-day and 2 p.m., and thus we have no locus stand for complaint; in fact, she would have to remain another tide at least, before we could take exception.
"Nyasaland" ss. As repairs proceed the necessity for them becomes more apparent, and if she be put at our disposal on Tuesday next we shall be more than satisfied.
Goods Line. "Pomerol" ss left Swansea at 2 a.m. to-day.
Allocation. Reports were current last night that a 1.300 tons had been allocated to someone for Cardiff or Swansea loading; but no-one seems to know, so great is the secrecy nowadays hereon, whether such report or reports are justified. Somehow or other the Meiros Co we understand have secured a release of their Gas Coals for "Sinar" despite opposition of Local Gas Works interests.
Bordeaux. "Seresia" ss. Has not loaded so quickly as expected, and it will be to-morrow mid-day now are she can be ready for sea.
The "Saint-Barthelemy" ss we hope to see arrive to-morrow morning in Penarth Dock, and we trust that the release of her cargo will not then be interfered with. Mr. Andrews thinks despite Naval needs of his Albion/Yhisfaio larges for which she is stemmed, he will manage to give us cargo promptly. "Rudolf" ss. We wait developments of the situation already explained to you. "Margaux". All possible is being done to deliver her here, as much before the 20th as possible. An anchor and chain is being sent from here to Bristol, at very little more cost than would be entailed by transferring it locally, and moreover such procedure minimises the chance of detaining the steamer. The Havre House is in accord with us on this point, "Barsac" ss. We have put a charter before the Local Committee, and hope to send you copies thereof on Monday afternoon at latest. "Château-lafite" ss. When the above is secured, one for this boat shall be put before them. Two boats, together would be an unwise procedure at the present time. The Dunkirk House have been asked to let us know as much in advance as possible, as to when these two boats will be leaving their Port for this Channel. "Château-Latour" ss. The Bordeaux House write us that her repairs are not likely to be completed there, until the end of next week, but they do not indicate what is to be done with her at that time. Doubtless she loads for Dunkirk, like the others. Swansea. "Château-Palmer" ss. Must have left the Mumbles Roads yesterday afternoon for all the tonnage lying there had vanished this a.m.
Rochefort. "Balder" ss has not arrived. As you will see by enclosed copies of charter, Messrs Cory & Son have to concede the Hudson's Bay Co's terms, viz., the payment of freight on this side, and 500 tons per day discharge, neither of which items are palatable to us, but opposition thereto was fruitless. Others would be glad of the chance of shipping on any conditions.
Bayonne. "Flandre" ss. The lack of knowledge on this side of what she is doing is understandable. Now we hear from the Bordeaux House that she is likely to be sent to load cargo at present aboard the steamer "Texas" ashore near the île de Groix. If you can persuade the Authorities on your side to notify those on ours, that she is not to be interfered with, and that we may load her whenever she arrives, all will be well. We note that in case of need any excess over 600 tons may be put under your General Licence. Naturally we shall try and get the Customs to allow us a bonus, and clear her cargo entirely under Authorisation C.8820/11.
Ameria. No chartering seems possible now, even if we were authorised to do so.
Chargeurs réunis. We have not even thanks from those aboard "Ango" ss, for sending back the telegram to Falmouth, where she still remains.
French Marine. If men can be found to work on "Séphora-Worms" ss during the night, her coke and goods ought all to be aboard in time for to-morrow mid-day's tide. Mr. Gonneville has made no comment on our written advice, that "Pontet-Canet" and "Haut-Brion" ss were coming to load for his account.
"Alice" V "Barmston". The prompt settlement of this matter really now depends, as you know, on Owner furnishing desired information in uncontravertible form.
Licences. The Local Committee hold an intimation from France for January/March, in favour of Mr. Chas Scholl, Bordeaux. The Number is C.10538 for another 600 tons. Our Committee having in view delays caused by the Xmas holidays are moving once again to ensure an extension in the validity of the current quarter's licence for vessels that may by reason of untoward circumstances not be loaded in time to clear by the 31st inst. French Consul & "Margaux" ss. We send you copy of our last night's letter to Messrs Cooper & Co also one from them received this a.m. We thought ulterior motives lay beyond the Consul's demands, and your disclosure thereof is very interesting.
Yours very truly.

G. W. Moore

Havre. "Tordenskjold" ss sailed at mid-day with 5 tons more dead weight aboard than on previous voyage. We have ascertained that the allocation reports are correct; the steamer being "Primo" ss, which Messrs Guerets load at Swansea on the first trip, and Mons Leboulanger the second.