Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 19 Jul 1810

Mr Morrison 								Dufton July 19th 1810.



Dear Sir,

       The State of the different leadmines under Col Beaumont at the beginning of this month as under – 

       Wolfcleugh leadmine poorer the last Quarter, and of course some of the prices advanced a little, but the hed price still <obtained> for raising Ore the same as before, Wellhope nearly worked out, and no further discovery made since the last quarter at Hartley Cleugh. Further search hath been made, where the Piece of Ore was found (mentioned last quarter) but no discovery of any Vein, which causes a suspicion that the Ore had been carried thither; the Great Level still continues driving as usual, but we find a difficulty in proving the Great Lime in Swinhope. The Level is now continued along the side of the Vein, untill it was supposed the Lime would be strong to bear Ore, we have sunk down by the side of the Vein about Six Fathoms, and in cutting thro’ the rider into the vein, the Water burst out and filled the Cross cutt and Sump to the top; a Single Pump, and Tubs were set to work for about four days, and gained only about 10 feet, we are now putting in another set of pumps, and intend trying these and the Tubs about a Week, hoping if the cavities were emptied, the general feeder might be managed, so as to prove the Vein.

       Allenheads Leadmine – The West end of the Lime nearly worked out, but there is some under Sills necessary to prove, before that part is given up; The Shaft to the West of the Cross Vein, not yet completed boring; The East End not as rich in Ore as last quarter, and by appearance there may be some trouble coming on that part; the Collier Shaft is now completed, which causes a free circulation of Air through the whole of the East End, that, and the convenience of getting out the work by the Level, is a material help towards driving that forehead.

       Weardale Leadmines poorer in general than last quarter particularly Breckonsike & Burtreepasture; In sinking a Sump in Burtreepasture Vein, from the Horse Level into the Ore Workings, in cutting between the sinkings, discovered a Vein with very good Ore, supposed to be a collection of Strings, and likely to produce a quantity of Ore.

       Killhope, Middlehope, Sedlin nearly as usual in the Old Ground, working at 50s per Bing except Sedlin at the Engine foot, where we are driving a Level forward, under the Old Mans Works for opening out the Vein, Middlehopeshield hath carried more Ore the last Quarter than before, but the hardness & difficulty of working the Ore advances the Price, only one Partnership at 36s per Bing; 40s & 45s being the general Prices. Black Dene very poor, and not likely to raise any more Ore in the under Sills, we are now driving forward, under the Old Mans Works, in the Top Sills, to see if any Ore be left there; Wolfcleugh continuing poor, nearly as last quarter, and may be expected so unless a Meeting of Veins (as in Westgarth Forster’s time) they being weak Veins, and when driving either way from the bottom, the Sills become stronger, and of course too strong for the veins; Crawlah continues to raise Ore nearly as last quarter, and should like to continue the driving forward 70 or 80 fathoms further, in the present situation , upon a consideration of the extraordinary rise of the ground on the surface which might press the vein too much, which appears to be a weak one, and produces the principle part of the Ore in flats; otherwise it would be necessary to drive a low Level which would be a very great advantage to getting out the Work, and if the Mine continue will be wanted before it can be to the Ore workings.  this ought to be taken into consideration at our meeting in August; Greenlaws continues to raise Ore mainly as before at from 40s to 50s per Bing. Slitt Leadmine a better prospect than before to the Westward; very little alteration in the other Lead Mines in Weardale.

       Jos Dickinson