
Figure 23.—WEIGHING THE CANALBOATs in the weigh lock on the Lehigh Canal. (L.C.N.C.) 
From 1820, anthracite shipments from this region 
generally showed an annual increase with an exception- 
ally large increase for 1825, 1832, and 1833. The in- 
crease was the result of greater use of anthracite in the 
home by the introduction of grates and furnaces de- 
signed to burn anthracite and the completion of the 
Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal which 
permitted the use of permanent shipping facilities. 
Up to the fall of 1831, a surplus of coal occasionally 
occurred at the close of each shipping season, but after 
that time and until the late 1830's the demand usually 
exceeded the supply. 
Factors which caused fluctuations in annual produc- 
tion were: (1) the inability of the producer to antici- 
pate supply and demand requirements; (2) consumer 
reluctance to accept anthracite as a reliable source of 
heat and energy; (3) occasional flooding of the Lehigh 
River; (4) operational difficulties between the admin- 
istrative procedures of the two navigational facilities; 
PAPER 72: ANTHRACITE IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY 
and (5) general business conditions. 
The companies incorporated in this region received 
similar powers, privileges, and immunities, and were 
authorized to engage in mining and railroad opera- 
tions. None, however, was granted the “unlimited 
powers” which had previously been given to the Lehigh 
Coal and Navigation Company. The Pennsylvania 
Legislature was criticized many times for granting such 
unlimited concessions. Adequate justification is found, 
however, in the primitive conditions of the State and 
the basic need for the development of such works. 
With the introduction of Schuylkill anthracite to the 
market, two types of anthracite became available to 
consumers. These types were identified by the color of 
the ash, as being either white or red ash coals. The 
Lehigh region was a white-ash producer, while the 
Schuylkill region (which produced both types) was, in 
these early years of the industry, considered a red-ash 
producer. 
119 
