Report – Thomas Dodd – 10 Apr 1813

      Nenthead  10th April, 1813

The Hon Govr & Co



Sirs,

      Having visited the workings of the Mines under my care, on the 24th, 25th & 26th past, I lett the sundry Bargains, a List of which is annexed.

      Rampgill Mine is successful. The eight foremost Bargains on the List are raising a great deal of very excellent Ore. It is a fresh Vein recently cut in the deep Level & never before discovered, is whole for about a mile in Length, & it is certain it might have laid dormant for Ages had not the deep Level been driven. What principally causes the success of the Vein, is the intersection of a number of small Strings or Feeders passing through the West side or Cheek into the Vein as we advance southward. It is a North & South or Cross Vein, and the Strings passing are from the Veins which the Governor & Comp[an]y purchased of Henry Errington & Co about 12 years ago. This I trust will be a good concern. Josh Wallace & co are driving the deep Level which lays the Vein open for raising Ore & bringing it out of the Mine by Horses and Waggons. Wm Armstrong & co are driving the upper Level, and will sink Sumps occasionally into them for the accommodation of air, and trying the upper Stratums.

      Scaleburnmoss is poor at present & employs few hands. Thos Humble & co are driving in the Vein in the great Limestone, with expectation of better Success. Jacob Blaylock & co are sinking a Sump for the circulation of fresh air. Smallcleugh Mine is doing well, though not so rich as it has sometimes been. The ore from the Flatts is of the very best quality. Mathw Cousin & co are driving a Level to furnish the Flatts with a current of fresh air.  Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine to drain all the Middlecleugh Veins, but it will be three or four years before the Level arrives up with them, & I am confident a great deal of Ore will be got in consequence. Jno Parker & co are driving the Horse Level in the Flatts. Middlecleugh Mine is poor and must remain so until the above trial is accomplished. Chas Walton & co are driving a Level to unwater one of the Veins in the great Limestone. Wm Hall & co are driving the Horse Level to prepare the Vein for trial. Hangingshaw Mine is poor. Jno Hall & co are driving the deep Horse Level. Wm Teesdale & co are driving the Level at Loveladyshield, but no Veins are yet cut. Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss are under trial. Thos Indian & co are driving the Horse Level. Browngill Sun Vein employs few hands, but by the Ore raised, will be preserved from Loss. Jas Dickinson & co are sinking to try the Vein. Tynebottom is under trial in different parts and will by & by raise more ore. Jno Broadwell & co are sinking to prove the Vein in the Limestone. Jos Wanless are driving the Horse Level, and will cut some Flatts in the Limestone, and Geo Dodd & co are driving the Horse Level to open the Vein for trial. 

      Middlehope Mine employs many hands, & raises a considerable quantity of ore, but several parts require higher prices, as many of the pickings are getting poorer. Jos Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level in the String Westward where the principal body of ore is raised. John Charlton & co are driving the Horse Level Eastward in the old Vein & is excessive hard. Ireshopeburn Mine is prodigious poor and almost done. Jno Kidd & co are driving the deep Level. There is little alteration with Stanhopeburn Mine since my last report. Jno Vipond & co are driving the upper Horse Level, to prepare the Flatts, which are poor, for raising ore. Geo Hill & co are driving the deep Level which is remarkably hard and moves slowly, and has not yet cut the first strong vein, of which there are two or three.

      Lodgesyke Mine is raising a great deal of ore, though not richer than formerly but employs many hands in raising ore and will do well. Jos Richardson & co are driving the deep Horse Level, & Jno Binks & co are sinking a Sump from the upper Level to the deep one, which will drain the water from the Vein, and enable us to raise a good deal of ore between the two Levels. 

      Wiregill, Flakebrigg & Coldberry are all under trial, and will require both patience and money to accomplish them, but the prospects are fair and will I trust in due time do well.

      Black Ash Gill Mine which I have minutely examined, is left by the late Co[mpany] in a ruinous state, and will be some time before the sundry parts of this Mine can be repaired and put into a regular working state, but the principal inducement for engaging with this Mine is its connection with the Greenwich Hospital part or North End of said Mine, called Middlecleugh Cross Vein, a large field & a good prospect. And in process of time I trust Black Ash Gill will refund the expense the Co[mpany] may be at, for the Lease contains several Hopeful Veins. Jno Elliot & co are driving the Horse Level left off by the old Co[mpany] southward, which will in future try the Eastmost and most likely Vein. Jno Vipond & co are repairing a Level and building a shop or workhouse at the Level Mouth for the accommodation of the Mine. Robt Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level Northward into the Greenwich Hospital Liberty, which will be to drive about 80 Fa[thom]s and sumps to sink by the Way for air, before we come at any object, or raise any Ore of Consequence, after that I believe we shall do well. I think before both Manors are put into a fair situation for working it will cost us £1000 besides the purchase.

      Boltshaw is still the same, good for nothing. I have met with no favorable opportunity of learning whether or not it could be disposed of.

      Yesterday Mr Bainbridge brought me the copy of Agreement between the Comp[an]y & Col Beaumont and I will on Monday next go upon the business of the Plan with Col Beaumonts Agents.

      I am etc

      Thomas Dodd, Senr