Report – Joseph Dickinson to Christopher Blackett – 14 Oct 1806

(no3)				

October 14th 1806

      Coalcleugh Lead Mine upon the whole is not in so prosperous a state as at Midsummer, some of the old Workings are obliged to be advanced in price, and such a quantity of Water loosed by working in the back forehead, about the Cross Vein, is like to be too much for the Engine, in order to remedy that, ordered the Workmen to Dam the Water back, which comes from the  Companys Works on the West end, which expect will give us the relief wanted; if not must seek relief some other way. The prospect for Ore about the East Cross Vein is flattening. There is likewise a Cross Vein near the West end boundary which had been left working for some time past, and by giving a little for a few fathoms driving, is now working northward to a considerable advantage, and from its present point, will continue in Col Beaumont’s liberty. – The principle Vein in Welhope is very poor in the West end at present, but hope for another hole of Ore (as the Miners say) before the Vein goes out of the liberty, which is something more than 20 fams  The east forehead of that Vein is more promising, but cannot be worked effectually, without carrying a level forward, which had been left working for two or three quarters, and is now wanting to air the forehead. Hartly Cleughhead is near holing to the Ore workings, which consist of several small veins or strings, and by their present points are drawing together, the way we are driving which makes the prospect at the place more promising. Greenlee Cleugh Level Shaft is going forward but not joined, When that happens, will enable us to prove the Vein in the Great Limestone. – The new Level below C. Cleugh is going forward with all possible expedition, and the intended level in Swinhope pointed out to prove the Vein is about one Hundred fathoms driving, and then may be driven  along the side of the Veins as far as may be found necessary.

      Allenheads Lead Mine hath been more prosperous the last Quarter in the east end than was expected, the Vein to the South of the other, which produced that good sample of Ore, is a very weak one, and hardly will bear the name of Vein, and denominated a string, is very likely to carry Ore, and if any more strings  join, maybe a valuable Vein – the West End flatts  hath been more productive the last quarter than was expected, and may continue for two or three quarters more, the other parts of the mine are very poor, and of course the prices advanced. – The Cross cutt at the West End, to  discover the Vein on the West side of the Great Cross Vein,  hath not yet succeeded but intend to continue untill we find a Vein; or ortherwise find there is none. –

      The Mines in Weardale, in general are poorer than last quarter, Breckonsike Vein at the east end broke into strings, by some cross Veins, sometime since, both in the upper, & under Sills, and is not yet collected again, and of course must not expect the quantity of Ore from that  mine as before, untill that happen.

      The Burtree Pasture Vein is the most promising at present, but the principal part of the bearing Sill is gone under Water, and cannot be recovered untill Water is collected underground to drive an Engine, we have considerably increased the quantity of water the last Quarr, by rising to prove the Vein in the Sills above the Level, and expect is rising further to prove the Vein in the Limestone, will compleat the quantity required.  

      The Slitt Lead Mine is much declined the last quarter, both in The upper and under Sills, by cross Veins intersecting the principle Vein, and may be sometime before the Vein recover the former strength. – The Levels on the east side of MiddlehopeBurn are still continued, and the Vein they were intended for not yet found – Middlehope Old Vein still continues to raise Ore in small quantity, and so doth Kilhope and some other mines in that part of the Country. Greenlaws not up to the place where the principle expectation lay, but at present not very hopeful. – The two BlackDean’s Levels very poor. The Levelgate great Level still driving on to relieve Middlehope Vein at an undersett

      Wolfcleugh doth not answer in the low Sills at present, so well as was expected, and Bollihope  Vein doth not carry Ore in the South end of the Vein, the North end still continues to raise Ore, but there is only a little way to the old Works, standing full of Water. --- You will say this is a melancholy picture, but a true one according to my judgement. 

      Jos. Dickinson