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Japp, Hatch & Company Limited
20, Castle Street

Liverpool, September 26th 1918
Messrs. Worms & Co. - Paris

Dear Sirs,
Yesterday Messrs James Moss & Co. telephoned us and said that they had the Captain of the "Nyroca" in their Office, and asked if we would step round to see them. We accordingly went to their office, and Mr. Rome handed us, to read, a protest which the captain had handed in to them. We enclose copy of same herewith. We told Mr. Home that it was utterly impossible for us to pass any opinion on the report, but we did tell Mr. Rone that we were surprised that the captain, together with Moss's agents in Bordeaux, had not had this matter thrashed out in Bordeaux at the time it happened, as it was utterly impossible for us at this end to deal with the matter. We understand that Messrs Moss are going to debit you with something like £100, and they tell us that what annoys them most is that you should have taken their bunker coal at all, and that it might have led to more serious consequences had the steamer found herself short of coal when at sea, and had to call in at a Channel Port. We have pointed out to Messrs Moss that of course there is your side of the question to be heard yet in this matter, and in order to do all we can at this end, we are having the surplus hunkers remaining on hoard the steamer "Nyroca", surveyed, in case you can disclaim liability in this matter, and may eventually want to see the Engineer's Log Book to get at the bottom of this allegation of the master, that he received short quantity. Messrs Moss have not written us anything about the matter, but have simply handed us copy of the report made by the master, and we trust you will be able to clear this matter up satisfactorily. We are sending copy of this letter to Paris.
"Libourne". We understand from Mr. Rome that this steamer will be ready for loading about Thursday of next week, and that they will take 400/500 tons, but they again point out that something must be done in Bordeaux to improve the discharge. When we were at their office yesterday, captain Hay of the steamer "Nyroca" told Mr. Rome that you were not using prisoners of War, as the "Nyroca" was discharged by Spaniards. We tell you this for what it is worth, but Mr. Rome reminded us that we were telling him that you were using prisoners of War.
Yours faithfully,

Japp, Hatch & Cy