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Worms & C°

Cardiff, 21 March 1917
Messrs Worms & C° - Paris

Dear Sirs,
"Hessle" ss
We enclose you herewith copy of a memorandum received from Messrs Loane Williams & C°, which sets forth Owners telegram received after they had left business last night; also letter delivered second mail to-day (10.45). If silence gives consent obviously the other alterations not referred to are possibly not unpalatable. The main point is that Buyers are not to be responsible for back Insurance Calls, and if requisitioned before delivery sale to be null and void. They insist, however, upon Buyers obtaining consent of Shipping Controller. We likewise are pressing for purchase to be subject to the sanction of the British Authorities as originally stipulated for by us in our letter of acceptance; nor, in the face of the edict of the 15th February issued by the Privy Council,and Section "6" 39cc, copy herewith, as it is an offence to even negotiate or offer to purchase British tonnage without the consent in writing of the Shipping Controller, will we sign the Contract Note for which Owners and Brokers are clamouring. All this has been duly explained to Messrs Burness, who we hope will shortly be speaking to you.
We hope to see Mr. Downing between 1.30/1.45 p.m. to obtain his advice on the attitude we are taking, which we consider is fully justified, as it is better to be slow than sorry, especially when so much is at stake.
Yours very truly,

G. W. Moore

PS. Perhaps Mr. Falconer, when we can get speech with him, may tell us that what transpired yesterday would entitle us, if Owners insert the words "Other, British. Authorities" to sign the contract and pay the deposit, but we are certainly not going to ask for the Controllers written authority until we have the desired protection, underlined above. Of course Owners are anxious to arrange for the carriage of further iron ore cargoes as soon as possible, and judging by their attitude, which may possibly be assumed, care very little whether we buy the boat or not.

1.30 p.m. Telegram just received:
"Hessle" today at Middlesboro sails tomorrow for Fecamp due there Sunday or Monday". Wetherhall