Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 12 Jan 1810

      Dufton 12th January 1810.

Mr Morrison

      In examining the beginning of this Year I find them as under.

Coalcleugh Lead Mine nearly as last Quarter; the best quality of ore is raised out of the west flatts which in general are worked between 24 & 30s per B[in]g. The Cross-cut at East-end between the North & South veins is not yet finished to prove that vein in the great Lime which is raising ore in the upper Sills. The old workings still continue to raise Ore from 40s to 50s per Bing and likely to continue so for some time. There being near 50 fathoms of unworked ground between the principal vein and White Wood vein at the west end and some strings have been lately discovered, leaving the White Wood vein in her course eastward, and pointing towards the other vein, which upon Trial are found to carry flatts and are now working to advantage which had not been noticed when the main veins had been worked, and very rich in ore. We have now fixed upon a certain place in White Wood vein to drive cross towards the other vein and prove the Strings we may first meet with. If they prove to work to advantage [we] intend driving them through to the other vein which will open out the whole. Wellhope Lead Mine is nearly worked out, and the East end still continues poor and fear it will never bear any Ore of consequence. Hartley Cleugh still continues to raise Ore in the cross-vein which we are driving in until we cut the other East & west veins, which are said to be before us at each end. The Great Level is driving forward with all expedition possible, The Level in Swinhope is now driven to where I think it will be right to Sink into the Lime Sill and prove the vein, we are now making preparation for that purpose, but fear the water will be heavy upon us. 

      Allenheads Lead Mine still continue to raise Ore at 12 & 18s per Bing at west end, but expect this will be the last quarter being nearly worked out; the last quarter we discovered a vein to the north of the former, and have been driving in it westward until the Lime Sill come up which expect will be very soon and to appearance hath <a right> to produce ore as the other. The East end poorer than last quarter, particularly the forehead, but hope will be better in a little time, We have been under the necessity of Boring the Shaft at west end, west of the cross-vein, which is sinking to prove the vein there discovered, and boring being a tedious operation fear it will be some time before we can make an effectual trial in that vein. The flatts at Craigshield is more promising than for two or three quarters past; other parts of that Mine is nearly as before. The Colliers Shaft so much talked about in times past, and now necessary to be opened out (the under part being only bored) and the borehole since stopped hath been a very tedious operation to re-open, a plan is now projected which expect will nearly finish the whole next Quarter.

      Weardale Lead Mines in general poor; Breckonsike old workings nearly worked out; the principal part of the Ore now raised in that Mine is now from the Sills now unwatered by the low level, and only very few working under 50s per Bing; Burtree Pasture Mine poor in the forehead, and the back ground working at 48 & 50s per Bing except two Bargains one at 45s and the other at 38s per Bing 



Killhope Mine, about 30 Men all working at 50s per Bing

Sedling Mine, about 100 Men nearly all at 50s per Bing

Middlehope Shield Mine, more promising than last quarter but only two P[ar]tnerships whose whole dependance is Ore, the others by fathom and Bing.

Slitt Mine all let at 50s per Bing except driving the two levels.

Longsike Mine all let at 50s per Bing, except cross Cut to the North

Greenlaws Mine 34 Men, 18 at 50s & 8 at 30s per Bing, the others driving level.

Levelgate Mine, 8 Men driving level, 10 at 50s per B[in]g & 8 <rising> in the Vein

Blackdean Mine, poorer than last Quarter, about 40 Men, 16 driving levels, the others to raise ore at 50s per Bing

Langtyhead, Wolfcleugh & Crawlah nearly the same as last Quarter.



The above is nearly the state of the different Mines and remain Y[ours] etc

      Jos Dickinson