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General report of the Mines Christmas 1818
Teesdale
Lodgesyke. I have peculiar pleasure in reporting the continuing and very favourable prospects of this Mine. Unless some totally unlooked for disaster should happen to interrupt its present flourishing state, the Teesdale district may be expected in future to rank high in your mining departments. The dead work is merely what is required to push forwards the Levels, and open out the Mine as we proceed in working it. A great change for the worse which has taken place at Coldberry since the last quarter's report has justified the doubt I then expressed of the continuance of the promising appearance of this Mine. It is so perpetually fluctuating, that no dependance can be placed upon any existing indication. It is still however likely to raise Ore that will leave some profit. The Level driving by Coltsworth &c is in the uncertain Vein, and is indispensable for its further prosecution. The Level driving by George Hardy &c is one that I have begun this quarter for the complete trial of the Vein discovered by a Cross cut, in the Coldberry liberty, immediately prior to the Michelmas Bargains, and which we still have every reason to believe is a continuation of the Vein which is now working with so much advantage at Lodgesyke Twelve or eighteen Months, at [underlined: 'least'], must elapse before we can hope to complete this trial, but we expect that it may open out an advantageous Mine at Coldberry, when it does reach the Vein in the great Limestone, where we purpose to make the trial. The
Several other Teesdale trials are proceeding towards their objects with no change that can be noticed.
Weardale
Middlehope Mine is so little altered since last Bargains, that I cannot better describe its present state than by referring the Court to the Mich's Report. The slight change that has taken place since that period is however favourable. The chief level driving by Henry Coulthard &c has become a little softer, which has enabled us to open out an additional length of Ore Workings, at a very low price per Bing and the general appearance of the Mine is rather improved. It is indeed as good as it could almost be wished at the forehead and we have nothing but the excessive and almost unprecedented hardness of the level to complain of. The whole of the Dead Work here is for the Opening out of the Mine speedily & effectually and for this purpose every effort is making that I have been able to devise after repeated consultations with the practical Agents and the most mature deliberation.
Ireshopeburn. So far as the Engine trial has proceeded we have reason to be satisfied with our prospects of regain'g a profitable Mine here. We have scarcely yet touched upon the part of the Vein where much Ore could be expected yet the Court will perceive that a few Ore Workings have already been opened. We have now hardly a doubt of the success of this trial to the fullest extent of our calculations at its commencement.
Stanhopeburn. The prospects have considerably improved since last Bargains a trial which we made (since the renewal of the Lease) for the discovery of new flatts, has proved more successful than I had dared to hope. These new flatts are not so very rich nor likely to work at low rates per Bing, yet from their probable extent, I entertain considerable expectations that this Mine may now become fairly profitable for several years hence. I calculate upon raising at Stanhopeburn during this year, nearly One thousand Bings of Ore. We are proceed'g to make the other trials in this Lease as stated in last Report and if they should prove equally fortunate when they reach their several objects Stanhopeburn may become a valuable addition to this Min'g district. Upon the whole the prospects of this district have so much improved, that I am led to entertain better hopes that it may yet, produce Ore, which, with the Teesdale supply will fully employ the Smelting powers of Stanhope Mill during the ensuing year.
Alston Moor
Rampgill. The low levels driving by Robert Heatherington &c and Robt Black &c are progressively opening out poor Workings, that more than repay the expenses of the levels, and as they proceed further east, to where the Vein is known to have been left good, but could not be wrought by the upper Levels on account of Water, there is not a doubt that very profitable mines will be regained. We do not, however, expect to reach this part of the Vein for Several Years, but, in the interim, there are the best grounds to expect that the Ore obtained in driving the Levels will leave a profit
Rampgill Sun Vein is more productive than it was at Michal's but although it will raise a considerable quantity of Ore this Year we fear that its uncommon Richness may not be of long continuance, as it is fast approaching two Strong Cross Veins, the influence of which, on their intersection, we anticipate with uneasy and anxious feelings. It may however pass through them unimpaired or the Cross Veins may themselves be enriched by the junction and become valuable Mines; but we fear more than we hope from the union. John Robinson &c are rising in this Vein nearer to its junction with one of the Cross Veins than the present Ore Workings, in order to prove it in this situation, & to extend this years Ore Raising. Wm Atkinson &c are rising to try the Stratum in a higher situation with the same view; both these trials we expect to complete during the quarter. John Elliott &c are continuing a Cross cut for the purpose of discovery, as detailed in the Midsummer Bargains Report of 1818. The have not yet met with any Veins that are likely to prove advantageous. The Level at
Scaleburnmoss is proceeding to open out this Mine with very little fluctuation upon the whole however the prospects here are somewhat brighter and as we obtain as much Ore as we proceed, as repays the cost of the level, we continue this trial in full security that if we do not gain much we [underlined: 'can lose nothing'], and we have a fair chance of obtaining a profitable Mine in due time - two or three years however will be required to advance this level to the part of the Vein where much is expected.
Small Cleugh I am sorry to Report is failing excessively. The prospects have become more gloomy each quarter, the Ore workings are no better than the poorest Old Pickings, and unless the Cross Cutts driving by John Barron &c and Matt Dickinson &c prove successful in opening out new flatts in fresh ground, there is too much Reason to fear the total failure of this, hitherto, valuable Mine. The Cross Cut driving by Dickinson &c is that on which we place our chief dependance, but from the hardness of the Limestone in which it is driving, we cannot hope to reach the part where new flatts are expected within a Year.
The Level driving by George Rain &c at Middle Cleugh is proceeding for the trial of a North Vein that is chiefly whole, and is considered likely to produce some Ore we expect this trial will be speedily terminated. The Ore workings at this Mine are entirely pickings. Middle Cleugh 2nd Sun Vein the lowest level driving by Smith Elliott &c is proceeding as rapidly as the extreme hardness of the Stratum admits of, with a view to open out the whole of the Middle Cleugh Veins each of a Strong Cross Vein, beyond which they are all lying entirely untried. We consider this trial to afford one of the very best chances of opening out unworked extensive Mines in Alston Moor. The Level driving by Ridley Robson &c is for the purpose of opening out pickings Westward in the parts of this Mine which owing to much Water it is believed were imperfectly wrought from an upper Level. It is opening out, as we proceed, Ore Workings that very well repay the Cost of the trial. The cross cut by Luke Hall &c is a temporary expense for the purpose of ventilation, and of more advantageously working the pickings opened out by the Level. It will be completed this quarter.
Tynebottom Sun Vein continues exceedingly poor, and is likely to fail entirely. In prosecuting the level by Josh Wardlaw at this Mine we have cut a Cross Vein (Windshawbridge) which has the appearance of raising some Ore, but does not lead us to expect much from it.
The Ore Workings at all the other Alston Moor Mines are new pickings and those at 60/- per Bing are to induce trials without loss to the Company, where the leases would be otherwise liable to forfeiture, and where we do not think the prospects worthy of a regular dead Work trial.
The various trials which I have omitted to notice are proceedingtowards their objects without any material alteration since last Report
Upon the whole the prospects in the Alston district are considerably less flattering this quarter, yet, from the numerous and promising trials in progress in this department, we do not despair of regaining other Mines, in due time, that may fully make up the deficiences of those that appear to be failing. Indeed the daily and incalculated fluctuations that occur in Mining, as well favourable and unfavourable, out to preserve us at all times alike from entertaining too sanguine hopes, or becoming unduly depressed. Although the Alston district is a little unpromising at this Moment, yet, I am happy to be able to add, in concluding, that the average prospects (if I may use the expression) of Teesdale, Weardale, and the Moor, were never better, and justify me in expressing a confident hope that the Results of the present Year will not fall below that of the year ending 30th Sept'r 1818.
Robert Stagg
