Page 164 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W.S.

that the smaller one was " certain to pay." The tonnage of the
Plover was 250, and the price £4,000. Loaf sugar, flour, and apples
were expected to provide C.W.S. freight sufficient to load the steamer
for eighteen voyages out of twenty-six annually, and, as a condition
of sale, the vendor agreed to find outward cargoes of coal for twelve
months. A profit of £6 to £10 weekly, after providing for depre-
ciation and interest, was confidently expected. The Co-operative
News was " a little startled, but also very much gratified " to find
that "the Wholesale Society has actually become shipowners,"
and promptly looked ahead to a future of C.W.S. ships reaching
China, New York, and New Orleans. So the new department began.
In some respects it more than fulfilled expectations. The new
status gave the Society a higher standing with Continental
merchants; better terms were seciu-ed abroad, and lower rates from
the railway companies at home ; and the need of filling the vessel's
hold stimulated the C.W.S. potato business. The direct results
were less satisfactory. The bad trade of these times, the effects of
which we have already witnessed, and the reaction of the coal
trade to normal conditions, led to reductions in cargo rates. The
Committee realised they could not fully employ the Plover in the
Society's affairs, and it was too small for a general trade. Ostend,
instead of Calais, was tried as the outv/ard port. But before the
year was out the Committee were seeking to exchange the Plover
for a boat of 500 tons, and a Little later were willing to sell the vessel
for £3,500. A long discussion upon the situation took place at the
Quarterly Meetings of March, 1877. The Committee themselves
were divided, with a majority for a larger ship, and a minority in
open opposition. The mixed character of the business produced
strong comments, and an aspect of partnership with the shipowner
who had sold the Plover, and since then had thrown into the bargain
a good deal of free advice, was disliked. No immediate action was
taken. But early in the following year a recommendation to build
a larger vessel was carried, with only five hands held up against the
motion, at the Manchester Quarterly Meeting. The Tyne Engine
Works, the co-operative effort to retrieve the Ouseburn losses,
received a favourable answer to their tender for the new steamer,
and the Pioneer came into being. The new vessel was of 650 tons;
it was launched and named by Mrs. H. R. Bailey on February 21st,
1879; and the trial trip took place five weeks later. There was a
swell on the sea at tlie Tyne bar, with a moderate breeze still lingering
behind it; and " I know we did get over that bar on that memorable
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