Correspondence and related papers regarding the construction, operations and sale of the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd's ore carrier M.S. 'Iron Age', built by Harland & Wolff Ltd. The file contains correspondence between Matheson & Co. Ltd, Secretaries of the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd, London, and B.I.S.C. (Ore) Ltd, London, British Iron & Steel Federation, London, British Steel Corporation Ltd, London, B. Eliot Common, Newcastle upon Tyne, Common Brothers Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, Common Brothers (London) Ltd, London, Common Brothers (Management) Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cooper Brothers & Co., London, Cory Brothers & Co. Ltd, Newport, H.M. Customs and Excise, London and Lytham St Annes, Finance Corporation for Industry Ltd, London, Freshfields, London, Guest Keen Iron & Steel Co. Ltd, London, Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, Ingledew, Mather & Dickinson, Newcastle upon Tyne, Linklaters & Paines, London, Midland Bank Ltd, London, John Newton & Sons, London, Scotts' Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, Greenock, Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Vogt & Maguire Ltd, London, and related letters and papers, including the following documents:

1. The contract with Harland & Wolff Ltd for the building of a steel single screw motor vessel (no. 1577G), 15 October 1956.

2. Debit notes sent by Harland & Wolff Ltd to the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd for instalments on the construction of the M.S. 'Iron Age'.

3. Four press cuttings on the launch of the M.S. 'Iron Age', 21-30 January 1958.

4. A transcript of the register of the M.S. 'Iron Age', 23 May 1958; two copies of the certificate for the mortgage of the vessel from the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd to the Finance Corporation for Industry Ltd, 18 September 1958; particulars of the mortgage, 18 September 1958; a supplementary agreement between the two companies in relation to the mortgage, 18 September 1958; and a certificate of the registration of the mortgage, 25 September 1958, with a covering letter to the documents from Linklaters & Paines to Matheson & Co. Ltd, 8 October 1958.

5. Credit notes to B.I.S.C. (Ore) Ltd for off hire periods during its chartering of the M.S. 'Iron Age'.

6. Booklets of the U.K. Government about export rebates, including changes following the devaluation of the pound in 1967.

7. A memorandum of agreement for the sale of the M.S. 'Iron Age' from the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd to the Compania de Navegacion Nino S.A. of Panama, 11 November 1967.

8. The bill of sale of the M.S. 'Iron Age' from the Vallum Shipping Co. Ltd to the Compania de Navegacion Nino S.A., 21 December 1967.

9. A transcript of the register of the M.S. 'Iron Age' for transmission to the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, 22 December 1967.

10. A memorandum of the satisfaction of the mortgage on the M.S. 'Iron Age' of 18 September 1958, including a declaration of verification, 2 January 1968.

There is also some internal correspondence of Matheson & Co. Ltd. The letters are comprised of originals and copies of letters to Matheson & Co. Ltd and copies of other letters. The ring-binder is labelled 'The Vallum Shipping Company Limited Ore Carrier - Ship No. 1577 "Iron Age'".