Letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 29 Aug 1792

Dukesfield 29th August 1792

Sir,

Isaac would acquaint you that the flood on Sunday night took away 1/3 of the Dam here, the water was in the new mill and among the Waste Work &c but the damage done there trifling; the waters were so high that I could not see the other Mills till yesterday, the Dam at Allenheads Mill much injured and the races all wrecked up; Rookhope Dam quite swep’t away and races wrecked. I order’d men to be set on to clear the Races at the Mills and once the waters are so little that men can stand to work in them shall set People to make temporary repairs at the Dams. The good affect of the purchase of the Stapples is now felt, for we had made a cut in that Estate to gain a greater head of Water w[hi]ch we Yesterday opened; by which we shall be able to repair the Dam at this Mill without the Works being stop’d a single day. 

Mr Oakes the Engineer was here last Thursday and has undertaken to improve the Cylinder Bellows and erect at Allenheads Mill 2 Cylinders that will work the four hearths with less water than with the present Leather Bellows. His terms &c I shall acquaint you more fully w[he]n we meet. I am w[i]th due deference

       Sir your mo[st] H[um]ble Servt, Isaac Hunter



John Erasmus Blackett Esq, Westgate St, Newcastle