According to information written on the back of this photograph it is a view of the new electric hoister and new derrick located at the Portland-Monson Slate Company. The hoister operator was responsible for bringing the men and slate safely into and out of the quarry. With a series of bells, the men would let the hoisterman know they wanted to come up, had a load of slate, to stop, to hurry and so on.

In 1915 the wages per week for a drillman were $13.50, a ledgeman wages $13.50, Quarrymen received $10.80 and the hoister operators wages were $10.80.