Report – Joseph Little to Joseph Dickinson – 13 Oct 1812

       We the undersigned have Viewed the different Mines at Allenheads, Weardale & Coalcleugh & our Report is as follows. Viz.

       That Allenheads Mine in Wentworth Vein in the back workings is poor, but the foremost sump now opening is more promising than any that has been sunk in that Vein. The Workings at Craigshield in Diana Vein are very hard and poor, but likely to be of a long duration, the foreend is some better than it has been.

       Breckonsike Leadmine is considerably poorer at the fore-end than has been, but a great part of the Great Limestone (the principal bearing Strata) being under Water prevents their further proceedence for the present, but the Low Level under the Great Limestone being nearly up it may be expected after being freed from Water, that she will be more prosperous. Burtree Pasture Vein is going on in a prosperous way & producing a great quantity of Ore. Sedlin Vein in the lower Sills is very poor, and if it was not from the good state the Mine is in, & the mode of Working her, it could not have been wrought to so much advantage.

       Coalcleugh Leadmine in the old Workings at West End is much as usual, the East end is poorer than it has been, and from the Deepness of the Mine it cannot be wrought until a fresh communication of Air is got, to advantage, (which is soon expected) or the Low Level being up, which will be some years before it can be got to any of the workings, except the Low Coalcleugh Vein which they expect to cut in two years time.

       Hartley Cleugh Mine is likely to raise Ore pretty well at present, but being a soft Mine its continuation is uncertain

       Joseph Little Thos. Emerson Wm. Crawhall



Allenheads Octo 13th 1812