The History of National Tube Works in McKeesport

McKeesport, a city in the Pittsburgh region of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, holds a significant place in the history of the steel industry. One of the key players in this industry was the National Tube Works, which operated in McKeesport from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. In this article, we will explore the origins, operations, and legacy of the National Tube Works, shedding light on its pivotal role in shaping the steel industry in McKeesport and beyond.

Origins of National Tube Works

The National Tube Works had its beginnings with the Flagler brothers, John and Harvey, who operated a small iron tubing plant in East Boston. Seeking proximity to iron makers, they decided to move their operations to the Pittsburgh district. In 1872, they purchased the Fulton, Bolman Company of McKeesport and established a new mill for welding tubes. Within a year, the mill was producing tubes as large as fifteen inches in diameter and twenty feet long.

Production Process at National Tube Works

The production process at the National Tube Works was highly automated and involved various steps. It all started with sheets of iron known as “skelp.” For smaller tubes, a process called “butt” welding was used, where the edges of the sheet were welded together inside a cone-shaped “welding bell.” Larger tubes, on the other hand, were formed by rolling the skelp into a tube shape and then closing it up through “lap” welding in separate welding rolls.

To support the increasing demand for tubes, the company installed rolling mills to manufacture skelp, built blast furnaces for raw iron production, and expanded its lap and butt welding furnaces. These advancements allowed the National Tube Works to produce tubes in a wide variety of sizes and types.

Corporate Mergers and Expansion

Between 1891 and 1901, three waves of corporate mergers swept over McKeesport, reshaping the steel industry. In 1891, the Flagler brothers consolidated their iron and steelmaking interests with the South Side works of Republic Iron, forming an $11.5 million concern. The Riverside Iron Works, one of the prominent firms included in the merger, supplied steel tubes to John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, the world’s largest tube consumer.

In 1899, a merger financed by J.P. Morgan brought together sixteen of the country’s largest pipe and tube manufacturers, creating the dominant tube company known as National Tube. Finally, in 1901, the U.S. Steel Corporation merged the remaining tube competitors, including the independent Shelby Steel Tube, solidifying its control over the industry.

Union Struggles and Strikes

Throughout its history, McKeesport had been a battleground for labor unions and strikes. In 1909 and 1919, the city witnessed significant union activities and strikes. In 1909, National Tube dismantled the Dewees Wood plant in response to what the corporation officials deemed as a lack of protection for manufacturers’ property and opposition to non-union workers entering the town.

During the 1919 steel strike, McKeesport’s unionists defied the city’s ban and held public street meetings. Unfortunately, these efforts could not prevent the strike from failing. The University of Pittsburgh’s archives contain valuable documentation on union activities in McKeesport, both before and after the Steel Workers Organizing Committee’s organizing drive in the 1930s.

Technological Advancements and Expansion

In the early 20th century, the increasing demand for tubes from industries such as automobiles and petroleum prompted the National Tube Works to expand its operations. However, it wasn’t until 1930 that the company installed its first hot mill for manufacturing seamless tubes. Additionally, the works experimented with electric arc welding in the 1930s, developing a submerged process known as Unionmelt welding.

To cater to the growing market, the National Tube Works built a new electric welding mill in 1950. This mill specialized in producing large tubes up to thirty-six inches in diameter, further expanding the company’s capabilities.

Legacy and Impact

The National Tube Works played a significant role in the growth and development of McKeesport’s steel industry. Its operations not only contributed to the local economy but also fueled the expansion of industries that heavily relied on steel tubes. The merger with U.S. Steel Corporation in 1901 solidified its position as a major player in the industry.

Today, McKeesport’s industrial landscape and history are a reminder of the region’s rich steel heritage and the pivotal role played by companies like the National Tube Works. The company’s legacy lives on through the documentation of union activities and the physical remnants of its infrastructure.

The National Tube Works in McKeesport was a powerhouse in the steel industry, producing a wide range of tubes that were essential for various applications. From its humble beginnings as a small tubing plant in East Boston to its mergers and expansions, the company left an indelible mark on McKeesport’s industrial history. Despite the challenges and struggles faced by the company and the labor unions, its contribution to the growth of the steel industry cannot be overlooked. The National Tube Works will always be remembered as an integral part of McKeesport’s steel legacy.