The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-11
COAL SHIPMENTS
IN HAMPT0N ROADS
Shipments of Dusky Diamonds
From Virginia Ports During
the Last Year.
FUTURE PROSPECTS BRIGHT
Plans for Great Enlargement OF
Trade TO All Parts Of
World.

RANK II. West the assistant sccrc-
tnry OF the Chamber Of Commerce of
Norfolk, gives to tho Manufacturers
Record an interesting story OF the coal
shipments from Hampton Roads dur
ing the past year. lie says:
"A million tons OF coal a month is
the new dumping record for Hampton
Roads ports. with Norfolk putting over
two-thlrds Of all shipments Figures
for 1919, just compiled by the three
railroads having piers on Hampton
Roads--the Norfolk and western, the
virginian and the Chesapeake and Ohio.
tho latter at Newport News--show that
Hampton Roads IL demonstrating it's
right to the second largest coal-ship-
ping point on the Western Continent
tho three ports dumping more than
half as much as Cardiff Wales.
The export trade. hike the coast
wisc trade, is growing In great volume
and we'll Informed coal men say that
tho incrcase IN 1914 will be more than
100000 tons. This Is conservative
when 1t Is taken into consideration
that the new piers OF the Norfolk and
Western Railway, which arc nearing
completion, will be working on full
time about the middle of January.
Figures Tint Tell.
The tonnage figures given month by,
month for the past year by Mr.. West
show the following totals: Norfolk and
Western. 5,5es,716; Virginian Railway.
32sa,325: Chesapeake and Ohio. 3.111,-
or. Grand total. 1l,aa3.G5s.
Coupled with the fact that 1919 has
been the largest In the history OF the
port In coal shipments, prices have
been satisfactory, and the trade has
been uniformly prosperous, with a
bright prospect. Norfolk expects with
in tho next decade 10 occupy first place
IN America In coal shipments particu-
larly In view OF the growing export
business coming ont OF this port The
Pocahontas companies. IL is reported
have recently closed contracts for
nearly three quarters OF . million tons
for European export in 1914 which
means an increase OF about one-third
over 1919. and Is regarded as significant
in showing the growing demand in
Europe for American Goals.
Norfolk is already sending large
quantities. or fuel to Naples. Genoa
and other foreign markets. and Is be-
ginning 10 pick up considerably in
south American trade. It's business
with the government is considerable
fuctor one OF the features OF the 1919
business was the large 81 coal
taken b. tho government for the naval
stations OF the Pacific Coast, especially
Mare Island. Rremerton and Olongapo,
besides large shipments 10 the Panama
canal.
HIggcr Business Ahead.
several American operators are said
- have signed large contracts with
foreign governments for the delivery
of coal FOR the use of their naval YES
sells and also for the government
controlled railways, as we'll AS for
private enterprises. these in preference
10 the Welsh and English coal The
opening or the Panama Canal. which
Will naturally bring Norfolk closer 10
many west coast and South American
ports. Is expected to bring q great
boom in the coal business to Hampton
Roads The coal trade TO European
ports, chiefly Italy and Austria and to
south American ports is keeping up
with the growth OF the West India
Islands and South America. territory
which, up to few years ago, had been
almost entirely supplied with WEIGH
coal. Here, too. the American product
is gradually suppianting English coal.
During the year several new coal
companies have opened Offices in Nor
folk, and are doing business over the
Norfolk piers The West Virginia Coal
Co. a concern organized during the
YEAR does considerable bunker bust
ness over the yirginian's pier at Sc
wells Point. Although still in its In
fancy, the new company promises to
become an important factor In the for
cign and domestic coal trade. The
Houston Coal Co. has also opened an
Office in Norfolk, and so has the United
states Coal Distributing Co"