Global Impact
While slate was being shipped from the Slate Belt across the United States by train, the same slate was being shipped internationally as well. The Master Builder of London quotes from Stone Magazine "If therefore American consuls can take the trouble to find markets for them abroad why cannot British consuls occasionally do the same. "
The 1904 World's Stage
The value of the total output of the United States for slate in 1903 was $5,256,885.00 and of that Pennsylvania produced 63% of that total.
For the 1904 World's Fair in St Louis Missouri, in an effort to create more recognition for the industry, an effort was made to have all large slate producers of the state of Pennsylvania co-operate in an extensive exhibit which would show all possible varieties and uses of slate. After some time spent in communication with leading slate companies this cooperative approach was abandoned and an individual producer was found who agreed to install a complete slate exhibit in accordance with the architectural design which had been prepared for it. It consisted of a pavilion built of slate showing slabs in different grades and varieties of finish also roofing, curb, black board and marbleized slates, stationary basins, and tubs for domestic purposes. Separate specimens of slabs in the rough and in process of finish in varying degrees of thickness were also shown. The entire exhibit was composed of Old Bangor Slate presented and installed by J.S. Moyer and Company of Bethlehem with the exception of a small roof made of Peach Bottom slate. As a result of the show, a gold medal was awarded to the exhibit.1
Image Source: Missouri Digital Heritage
Postcard showing the Palace of Varied Industries at the St. Louis World's Fair.
While the production of slate in 1904, based on total value, listed only fifth out of the top 12 mineral products in the state of Pennsylvania, its standing rose to first place when the values of those 12 minerals were compared as a percentage to the total production of that material across the entire United States.
The Early Export Market
Slate as an export option was always a consideration in the industry once it had reached a point where shipping large quantities was a reality. As early as the 1870's when some parts of the district were just starting production, slate was being shipped from the Slate Belt district to Europe and beyond. The following excerpt from the Secretary of Internal Affairs for Pennsylvania stated in his 1876-77 report on industrial statistics the following:
"The production of roofing slate has lately become an article of export. Last year there was shipped to Europe and Australia about one hundred thousand squares two thirds of which was sent from this vicinity. the balance from near the Delaware in Northampton county and some from the State of Vermont. A large portion of the manufactured school slate from this vicinity are finding sale in Europe, and when put in competition with foreign slate, are considered superior to any made elsewhere, both as to the texture of the stone and the general workmanship."2
The Slate Belt and the English Market
The development of an American slate trade in Europe started early but the impact of the American slate industry on the English market took a different course starting a bit later. Entering the British market was more difficult since many of the great European slate quarries were located on the British Isles. In the fall of 1893, as a result of depression in trade, the largest slate producing firm in Slatington decided to try and place their slate into the British market and sent a representative. The initial result was several trial orders. The effect that these orders had though was almost instantaneous and on July 13, 1894, a train of seventy two cars (equaling 5,500 squares) was shipped by that same firm, it being the largest single shipment ever made up to that time. On August 1 their total shipments for that year for export had tripled, reaching 210 cars. In July the following year, both they and another firm each sent a representative to Europe, returning a few weeks later bringing orders with them for over 70,000 squares to be shipped at stated periods within one year. If the 5,500 squares was in fact the amount contained in 72 train cars, the new number of 70,000 squares would amount to more than 900 train cars of slate!
The few years between the beginning and the end of the last decade of the 19th Century proved to be a turning point for British trade for the American slate industry. In 1893, shipments of slate from the United States to England amounted to just $1,400 but only four years later that total had risen to $695,000 which amounted to a staggering 50,000 percent increase. This change resulted, in part, from the promotional efforts made by the American quarries, but also contributing was a second event that added to create the perfect storm. The devastating strikes at the Penrhyn slate quarries in North Wales was a massive opportunity for the American industry. The quarry was actually the site of two prolonged strikes by workers demanding better pay and safer conditions. The first strike lasted eleven months in 1896. The second began on 22 November 1900 and lasted for three years. It is important to recognize though that the impact of American slate was not limited to materials only coming out of Pennsylvania. Other slate regions across the United States were having the same success. By 1901, a full 1/4 of the green slate coming from some of the quarries in Vermont were being shipped to Europe as well.
"The demand for slate is brisk. At home it is good, and for export a great deal is wanted. The three combinations (Slatington, Bangor and Pen Argyl) are sending immense quantities of slate abroad, principally to Great Britain. For export the prices are from $2 to $2.50 higher than for home trade. Slate on the banks at Wales are worth $6.50. Very large consignments are sent to Belfast, Ireland, and to England. The reason for this foreign demand is that the slate quarries in the United Kingdom are unable to supply all that is needed."
Great Activities in the Slate Trade, Stone Magazine, Vol. 12, 1896
Beyond the British Isles
"The output of the Slatington region from Danielsville to Slatedale averages135,000 to 150,000 squares per annum. The several thousand squares already shipped have cleared the banks so that now there is no stock to draw upon and as the previous output had only been equal to the home consumption it is a question where the extra quantity is to come from. Every large size slate that will be made for the next eight months is already sold and orders are arriving every few days. All the quarries are working at their full capacity with little regard to weather. But the greatest satisfaction to the slate operators is the praise bestowed upon their product by the British and continental dealers who are re-shipping a great many of the squares to various parts of the world, South America and Australia in particular. The reports already made have caused quite a stir in shipping circles and this past summer is the first that shippers have quoted regular rates for this class of trade. Two months ago a few sample orders of natural slate blackboards were exported with a view to opening a new field for this extensive branch of the slate industry for which Slatington is the center, three fourths of the world's output being manufactured it is claimed at this pushing Pennsylvania town. All this augurs well for the future of the slate industry which is as yet only in its infancy." 3
American Roofing Slates 1922
Wanted in lreland The Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce Washington DC have received inquiries from parties in Ireland desiring to purchase roofing slates in standard sizes. The bureau reserves the address of the parties which they will furnish to duly registered American concerns on application Foreign trade opportunity No 4286 should be mentioned when writing the bureau.
(Stone, Volume 43, Stone Publishing Company, 1922 p.648)
An excerpt from an article in Stone Magazine, 1899:
The most notable point in the American slate trade at the present time is the rapid growth in export business. A few years ago this was of too small value to be considered but at present it is the most prominent feature of the trade. An opportunity for the introduction of our slates abroad was given by the strike of the Welsh quarrymen and the long suspension of work which followed. Advantage was taken of the opening and a foothold has been secured which can very probably be retained. It is claimed that the finest quality of Welsh slate is better than the American though our quarrymen are not by any means willing to admit this. This quality however has only a very limited sale owing to its high price and the ordinary grades of roofing slate are very similar to the American slates which are sold at a lower price. So far Great Britain has been our chief customer for slate though small quantities have been sent to Germany France and Denmark. During the next fiscal year it is likely much more slate will be sent to that country as the port of New York has already shipped there during the four months from July 1 to October 31 nearly $245,000 worth of slate 43 which compares with $557,099 in the whole fiscal year ending June 30 1897. There have also been shipments from Philadelphia and Baltimore as well as from other minor ports. New York remains the chief exporting port. The main point now is to retain the trade which the difficulties of the English quarrymen have put in our hands. It has been suggested that it would be well to establish a central selling agency in London with a warehouse where different varieties of American roofing slate could be kept on exhibition with sufficient stock to fill orders needed at short notice. To do this would of course require the co-operation of a number of producers among whom the necessary expense could be divided. Most of the Pennsylvania and Vermont quarrymen are united in appreciating the value of the export trade and they should at the same time realize the advantages of more active work towards increasing the use of roofing slate at home. In the Eastern States especially there is room for a good deal of work in this direction.4
The production of roofing slate has lately become an article of export. Last year there was shipped to Europe and Australia about one hundred thousand squares two thirds of which was sent from this vicinity. the balance from near the Delaware in Northampton county and some from the State of Vermont. A large portion of the manufactured school slate from this vicinity are finding sale in Europe, and when put in competition with foreign slate, are considered superior to any made elsewhere, both as to the texture of the stone and the general workmanship.
"Slate", Secretary of Internal Affairs of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Part III, Industrial Statistics, Vol. V, 1876-7 p.631
The Master Builder of London quotes from Stone Magazine the report of the United States Consul General at Paris relative to the slate industry in France. "It will be remembered that Mr. Mason tells of the efforts he made when he was stationed at Frankfort on Main to start an import trade in slate from the United States securing, by his endeavors, the shipment of one cargo. Commenting upon this our British contemporary says 'One thing in this report will I think strike the slate quarry owners in this country more particularly those who are interested in the export trade and that is the successful effort made by the consul to secure an order for American slates in Germany.' Has anyone ever heard of such an effort having been made by a British consul to introduce Welsh slates abroad? Yet one cannot help thinking that there are countries and places where something might be done in this direction. During recent years and even now any new market for Welsh slates would be particularly welcome and while prices are at their present low level seems an opportune moment for such an endeavor Slates may be but a small item in the total volume of our export trade they are though a product that goes to add entirely to the wealth of the country in that they are dug up and prepared for the market exclusively by British labor and would be exported in nine cases out of ten in British ships. To the United States they would probably figure as a still smaller proportion of the exports. If therefore American consuls can take the trouble to find markets for them abroad why cannot British consuls occasionally do the same. The Oakeley Quarries Company of North Wales has made a second large shipment of slate to West Africa. This consisted of 230 tons of 20 inch by 10 inch best Old Vein slates. One thing that has hitherto stood in the way of a successful export trade in American slate is that the quarrymen do not ship the very best of their product. They keep this for the home market and make the mistake of thinking that odds and ends will somehow go abroad."5
A block of slate rock was sent all the way from Scotland to the Old Bangor Quarry at Bangor, PA., in order to determine the working value of the rock and to test it on the different American machines. There were also samples of the finished productions of the Scotch quarry sent with the block. These were nothing like as well finished as American slates.
Quarrying and Manufacturing of Slate, Stone Magazine, Vol. 29, 1909.
1. James H. Lambert; The Story of Pennsylvania at the World's Fair St. Louis, 1904, Volume 1; p.187
2. "Slate", Secretary of Internal Affairs of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Part III, Industrial Statistics, Vol. V, 1876-7 p.631
3. “The Booming Slate Trade.” 1896. In Clay Record. Clay Record Publishing Company. p.15
4. "The Slate Export Trade" - Stone: An Illustrated Magazine, Volume XVIII; Stone Magazine Review Publishing Company; December 1898 to May 1899; P.43
5."Quarrying and Manufacture of Slate", Stone: Devoted to the Quarrying and Cutting of Stone for Architectural Uses, Volume 29, 1909, P.512