Report – Thomas Dodd – 10 Jul 1813

      Nenthead, 10th July, 1813

The Hon the Governor & Co



      After examining the Governor & Compy’s Mines under my care, on the 24th, 25th & 26th past I lett the Bargains, a list of which is annexed. Rampgill Cross Vein recently cut in the Horse Level, and the Proposal for which is dated 30th May 1811, is raising a large quantity of Ore at low prices (please to see the last report) but we shall not be able to get it all worked up against the 30th September, the washing place being too confined; of course the unwashed on that date will go on to 1814. Hugh Spottiswood & co are driving the Horse Level Eastward, where more cross veins are to cut, and as the Great Limestone is unexplored may be of consequence, for if the deep Horse Level had not been driven, the successful vein had never been discovered. Jas Armstrong are driving the Horse Level in the Cross Vein, under the Great Limestone, in the best situation possible, as all the Ore is got immediately above the roof of the Level. Wm Roddam & co are driving a Level in the Little Limestone, 20 Fathoms above the other, and will occasionally sink between for a circulation of fresh air and prove the vein in the same. 

      Scaleburnmoss Mine has varied little since the last report. Jacob Blaylock & co are sinking into the vein in the great Limestone, and when finished will raise Ore, & Thos Humble & co are rising & sinking for the convenience of air, and will shortly raise ore. 

      Smallcleugh Mine is raising most excellent ore from the Flatts, & to considerable advantage. Jno Parker & co are driving the Horse Level in the midst of the Flatts and is very hard. Matt Cousin & co are driving a Level over the Flatts, and when it arrives at a certain point, they will sink into the workings for fresh air, and will prove a general accommodation through the Mine. Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine, to drain all Middlecleugh Veins (please to see last Report.) Those parts of Middlecleugh Veins which are free from water, are so poor that nothing can be done in them at the present low prices, but barely to preserve the Leases from forfeiture. Henry Cowing & co are driving the Horse Level. Garrigill Mines are poor. Geo Dodd & co, Thos Archer & co, & Robt Hallam & co are all upon trials; the two former of which will soon be finished & raise some Ore, & the latter will soon make the trial satisfactory, so as either to raise Ore, or give up the Lease which is Cooper Dyke Heads Vein. Loveladyshield Mines or Veins are not yet cut in the Levels. At Broomsberry Wm Allison & co are sinking into the Vein in the Great Limestone. Hangingshaw Mine is poor. Jno Hall & co are driving the Horse Level. Robt Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level at Middlecleugh Cross Vein, which trial is connected with Blackashgill. Please to see the last Report on this subject. Jno Elliot & co are repairing the Horse Level, & Jno Vipond & co are repairing the Engine Shaft Wheel.

      Lodgesyke Mine is not quite so good this Quarter as formerly, tho’ employs many hands and raises a great deal of ore of good quality, but not well worked, which I have already expressed to the Court. Jos Richardson & co are driving the deep Horse Level, and Jno Binks & co are sinking a Sump between this & the upper Level, which is to accommodate the Mine with fresh air, and raise Ore in the deeper stratums. Coldberry, Wiregill, and Flakebrigg Mines are all under trial by the respective Partnerships attached to them in the List.

      Middlehope Mine continues to raise a good deal of fine Ore, not so productive this quarter as before, except in the two foremost Bargains in the List, which is in the Old Vein Eastwards, & which I named to the Court in my letter on the 22nd May last. Jos Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level westward, & Geo Wilson & co are rising into the little Limestone in the New String to try the Vein.

      Ireshopeburn Mine is almost finished, is excessive poor & cannot go on much longer. Jno Kidd & co are driving the deep Level.

      On the 29th past I was in Boltshaw Mine and am sorry to say there is not one Prospect left there; and I have had no opportunity of sounding any of Hall’s People about Boltshaw, as that concern is likely to fall to pieces. They have been throwing away Money very fast indeed, & I have no doubt all my predictions will be fulfilled respecting the business. Five or six of the new Comp[an]y have been drawn from London, who have banished Hall from all management in their concern. However it is as plain as possible, that perseverance in that Concern must be attended with heavy losses, for I am positive all the Mines in that Country are not worth a shilling.

      Stanhope Mine is poor, and some parts under trial. Wm Metcalfe & co are cutting across from the old Shaft, and will sink into the deep Horse Level for air, & Jno Vipond are driving the Horse Level in the Flatts, where the Ore is got. 

      I have received the Courts of the 1st inst, and agreeable to their orders have put up an advertisement for a fresh letting of the Levels & Whimseys, & with this have transmitted the Proposals to the Court. As the Undertakers said nothing to me of their hardships until their time was expired, I thought I would take no notice of it until that period, nor did I expect the Court intended to make fresh lettings every year, as it must be attended with the utmost confusion, for the Court must know that every fresh undertaker must necessarily provide Horses, Harness & Provender when they engage (which many that propose cannot do) and then all is to part with against the end of the year, and our business must remain in a perplexed state whilst this mode continues. When the Court fixes upon the fresh Undertakers, they will have the goodness to send down the names & the Proposals, as their time will end on the 25th June 1814. I have sent a copy of the advertisement for the Moor, to the Court, & the Weardale & Teasdale ones were similar.

      I am, etc

      Thomas Dodd, Senr