Report – Joseph Dickinson to Christopher Blackett – 17 Jan 1807

					No 4			Jany 17 1807



      The Upper Coalcleugh Vein in the east End, is now supposed to be through the principle part of the Cross Vein, and at present is in a promising situation, being let for at 20/-per Bing the ensuing Quarter, notwithstanding its disconvenient situation for taking the Work to Bank. Should it continue another quarter  will be under the necessity of driving the Waggon Level forward, and sinking another Whimsey, down into the forehead, which expense will be soon repaid, by reducing the price per Bing for raising Ore, and put a fresh circulation of air into the forehead, which at present is very much wanted; and by damming the water back which came out of the Companies works as much as possible, the Engine is now master of the rest, which I very much feared the last quarter; the back ground in the Great Lime still continues to raise a considerable quantity of Ore and the flatts to the East and West likewise. Welhope Vein to the West is likely to continue to raise Ore to the end of the Boundary; the East End not in a situation to make further tryal, untill the air level be worked forward, and a Sump down to Air the limestone forehead, which will take a  considerable time in doing. –

      Hartley Cleugh Level is still driving forward, and some Ore raised, but there is still more Veins before, untryed and are drawing nearer one another, where we intend to drive to.  The Shaft at Greenley Cleugh not yet down into the level when that is done, will be able to prove the Vein in the Great Limestone.  The two new Levels are below Coalcleugh and the other in Swinhope is driving forward, with all the expedition possible.

      Allenheads- the Vein to the West of the Great Cross Vein, is not yet discovered being obliged to give over driving to fix a Water <Blast> for Air, which is nearly finished, and then will drive forward again.  – The West flatts and the old workings on that side hath raised more Ore than was expected last Quarter.  The East end not so hopeful as present as before, but we have the opportunity of employing Workmen to try both the Vein and  Flatts further East than they have been proved before, and upon the whole this Mine hath done very well last Quarter, and likely to continue for another.  <Britain> Vein hath been upon the decline for some time past Eastward and not knowing of any other Vein working which is likely to join, hath for the present declined driving her further. 

      Weardale Leadmines – Breckonsike still continues poor, and confirms what I expected, when the first of the cross Veins was discovered, that it woud be to her disadvantage, and is generally so with a rich Vein, and a poor one the contrary, the Back ground is working out so that we shall not be able to raise the quantity of Ore in that Vein as usual, untill the Vein in the foreheads collect their wanted strength.  Burtree Pasture. by rising to prove that vein in the upper Sills, a considerable quantity of Water hath been lossed this quantity and more is expected when we come to the bottom of the Firestone, which believe will be sufficient to carry an Engine, to clear the Water out of the Great Limestone which could be a very great saving, and recover a great part of that Sill which cannot now be <entered>, & the further we drive the more <tell> is going under Water. Sedling & Midlip a Long Sike old Mines still continues to raise small quantities of ore and very likely will continue until the <peat> Level unwater them, at an underset. The upper level on the east side of Middlehope Burn hath not a Vein in the Slate and is now rising to the Firestone to prove her. The under Level at that place is short of the Vein about eight fathoms according to calculation and from the situation of that Level shall be able to prove the Vein in all the principle Sills. Wolfcleugh is poor at present and does not produce Ore so well as might be expected from appearances. The Vein below Rookhope Mill I fear will not answer unless some other Vein or <String> join her. The Slitt leadmine hath been poor last Quarter <Crawlah> Bollihope Greenlaws Lasply head, Hasley Gill & Killhope hath all been upon the decline last Quarter. A Fresh Vein from a collection of <Strings> was discovered last Quarter at Blackdean leadmine by making a Cross cut to a shaft now sinking, the appearance is favourable, but no satisfactory trial made, to know her value. 

      You will see by the above statement some of the Mines are poor and others upon the advance, which is the general case in all leadmines, and perhaps some of these which are now poor will be prospering next Quarter. 

                                             I am etc Jn Dickinson