Report – Joseph Dickinson to Christopher Blackett – 10 Jul 1806

No.2									Dufton 10th  July 1806



	I send you a Copy of my remarks made this Midsummr Bargains, at Col Beaumonts Lead Mines, whereby you will see the general state of the Mines, and likewise observations necessary to their future working and shall begin with Coalcleugh, at the East end where the Water level is driven to the forehead, and sump nearly sunk for the Pumps to win the great Limestone on the east side of the Cross Vein. – A considerable quantity of Ore hath been raised in the background this quarter, and the  best working is in the west flatts, where it had been given  over some time past, but is now opening out again and  expect will produce Ore for several years to come. – Wellhope West end hath produced very well of Ore last Quarter, is now poor but hope will not be long in that situation and may produce a considerable quantity of Ore in the 24 or 25 fathoms yet to drive before We come to the end of the Boundary. –The East end of Wellhope Vein hath produced more Ore this quarter than for several quarters past, and hope it will relieve the other that is working out. – The Level at Hartley Cleugh is not up  to the Vein, but there are some workmen getting Ore in the  great Limestone by the old Level, but when the new one is up will make a more effectual tryal in the Vein, and may be continued southward for further discovery if thought adviseable. – The Level at Greenly Cleugh driven in the Vein in the four fathom Limestone hath a better appearance than before, & is only wanting about 20 fathoms of the most suitable place for sinking a shaft, which will Air that Level, and from that Shaft will prove the Great Limestone; both the shaft sinking and driving to it is now Let. – The old Level at Carr Shield is opened that the Workmen can go up, but a quantity of Sludge remains about a yard deep for a considerable way which will be to remove before any fresh tryal can be made. – The new Level besides the Lime Kiln is secured by Walling at the entering and a bargain let to drive 20 fathoms. – The sinking in Swinhope into the great Lime, to prove the Vein is nearly completed, the Workmen is now cutting into the Vein in that Sill and hath produced a very good sample of Ore which was sent to me in Weardale. – Joseph Little believes the Company’s Workmen have driven into Col Beaumont’s liberty, and the Ore is now lying at Coalcleugh until the dispute is settled.

      At Allenheads the Mines are considerably poorer than before, and were under the necessity of advancing the prices, the West end flatts nearly worked out and in driving the East end level gains so much more water that I fear the  Engine will not be able to take it all. – The two last quarters have been opening out an old Shaft at the West end, to see what the old Man had been doing in order to discover the Veins on the West side of the Cross Vein, called Burtree Dikes and find he had sunk the shaft in a part of the Cross Vein, and hath driven Westward from that Shaft about 40 fathoms without finding  any Vein or making any Crosscutt for that purpose, and believe the forehead is standing in the Quarry Sill under the Great Limestone; we intend to drive cross to the Southward first, thinking the Vein is more likely to be on that side adn if they do not find the Vein must try the other there being a very good opportunity of fixing a water <blast> at a light expense, that being the principal tryal to be made at that Mine which if it should produce as much Ore on the Westside of the Cross Vein, as it hath done on the East, will make Allenheads flourish once more. 

      In Weardale the Breckonsike Vein, is not yet clear of the Cross Vein, neither in the upper nor under Levels, notwithstanding the background produces a considerable quantity of Ore and may do for years to come.  The Burtree Pasture Vein is now Rich in the  forehead but the Ore workings is under Level and of course the Water is to draw by hand to the water Level. – If a quantity of Water could be collected to drive a small Engine, to lift 10 or 12 fathoms would relieve the Vein for several years, until a more durable way be found out, and the water in that Level does not go to the Engine but out at the Tail race. –We sent the Engineer, Michael Elliott, to view that at Coal Cleugh, it takes the least room, and considerably less water than the wheel Engines and he is of opinion that one of the same construction will be most suitable. Mr Emerson will take him underground the view the place and then you will hear further.  – I have not the least doubt about the success and until that can be done we shall be under the necessity of giving an extra price for raising ore in that part.  Sedlin and Midlep or Longsike old Mines are poor, but working at a long price per bing and no alteration for the better expected until the Great Level cuts them at a deeper sett.  The flatt Veins in the upper Sills hath raised a considerable quantity of Ore the last quarter, but the same Veins in the under Sills are very poor.  The Level on the Eastside of Midlip Burn is yet short of the intended Vein.—The Wolf Cleugh Mines are poor, and likely to continue for another Quarter and then expected to be better. – Bollihope Mine hath produced more Ore in the last Quarter than was expected, but the South end of that Vein will not carry Ore.  We have fixed to sink a shaft in the south Forehead both to air the forehead and prove some upper Sills which hath produced Ore in that Country. The Veins in Blackdene Level are very poor, and expect very little more Ore in that depth, but the level must be carried forward for the more Effectual working the upper Sills in that Vein.  – The Great Level at Level Gate, is driving forward as fast as possible.  The other old Workings in Kilhope, Pudding Thorn and Chapel Pasture nothing material, and remain

      &c Jos Dickinson