Report – Thomas Dodd – 12 Jan 1811

Nenthead Jany 12th, 1811

Hon[oure]d Masters,



      Having viewed minutely the Company’s Mines under my direction in the Moor, Teasdale & Weardale, on the 27th, 28th, & 29th, I lett the Bargains, a list of which is annexed., and am confident tho’ some parts are poor, yet one with another they will do well. I have taken great pains in making the arrangements and bargains throughout these extensive Concerns, so as to render them profitable, but at the same time I am sorry to find such a depression on the Lead markets, in consequence of which all the little Companies in this Country are getting into a deplorable situation, as they can scarcely sell either Ore or Lead, and the Country Banks become shy respecting Credit. 

      Rampgill and Scaleburnmoss are not much altered since my last report. I have reduced the prices in the poorest parts to 48/- per Bing and £12.15.- per Ton the highest. and Middlehope and Teasdale to 45/- per Bing the highest being at present much more productive than the Moor, where the poor pickings will make the Workmen as good wages at 45/- as the Moor will do at 48/-. At Rampgill  Wm Horsley & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface to the Horse Level, and will finish before the end of the Quarter. Thos Readshaw & co are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone and will shortly try the Vein in the same. Wm Teasdale & co are sinking a Sump in a different part of the Vein in search of Ore. At Scaleburnmoss Mattw Hall & co are cutting across to a String which runs parallel with the vein at a distance of 7 or 8 Fa[thom]s, where I expect to meet with Ore. Robt Barron & co are driving a Level in the Vein under the Great Limestone to relieve the same of Water. Thos Humble & co are driving the Horse Level to prepare the Vein for Trial at different points as they go on, and what we call in the Mining Trade ‘opening fresh ground’.

      Smallcleugh Mine is doing well, and the new Flatt continues prodigious hard, yet contains plenty of Ore, and has the appearance of being durable. The three foremost bargains are in it. Geo Robinson & co are driving the Level, considerably under all the other workings of the Mine, as the common Drain which brings the Water to the Engine. Thos Hewitson & co are cutting across in hard Limestone, to the Vein to try same. Thos Cain & co are cutting across to the new Flatt as per last Report. Middlecleugh Mine is poor, consisting principally of poor Pickings. Wm Waugh & co are driving one of the Horse Levels, which prepares the Vein for Trial. Miles Irwin & co are driving another Horse Level in a different part of the Mine, for the purpose of trying the Vein in the Great Limestone, and both are excessive hard. 

      Hangingshaw & Caplecleugh are not rich, yet will raise Ore this year to advantage; John Hall & co are driving the Horse Level at the former, and no dead work is upon the Latter this Quarter. Browngill Sun Vein, which is the chief part of the Garrigill Mines is raising better than for a long time past, and will work to advantage this year. Jas Hall & co are driving an upper Horse Level, for the Trial of the Vein in the higher Stratums, by which means we are raising Ore. Richd Thomason & co are sinking a sump to furnish the Mine with air and commodious Way-Gates. Jas Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level.

      Tynebottom Mine is rising small parcels of Ore of the best Quality, probably the most productive in Lead of any of the Company’s Mines. Isaac Teasdale & co are driving the Horse Level, and opens the Vein for Trial. Jos Wanless & co are driving a Level to prove the upper Stratums. 

      Gudhamgillmoss and Broomsberry Mines are under trial, and must remain so for some time, but in the course of this Year will raise some parcels of Ore. Geo Raw & co are driving the Horse Level. James Thompson & co are driving a deep level, which is to relieve Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines of water when it arrives at the intended point, and will be deeper than the bottom of the Engines on these Mines and will cut several hopeful Veins by the Way. Thos Walton & co are driving an upper Horse Level, and will shortly enable us to raise Ore in the Vein. 

      Middlehope Mine is working to great advantage, especially the new String to the Westward. The twelve foremost Bargains in the list consisting of 60 Pickmen are all raising Ore in said String, but the old Vein and String Eastward continue poor. Henry Coulthard & co are driving the Horse Level in the String. John Vickers & co are cutting across to the String and will shortly raise Ore. John Johnson & co are driving the Horse Level Eastward in the String jointly with Col Beaumont’s Workmen. Ireshopeburn Mine is poor. Jno Kidd & co are driving the Horse Level. Stanhopeburn Mine being poorer than the rest obliges me to give 50/- per Bing for the poorest parts. Thomas Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Level which I expect during this Year will cut one of the principal Veins, when a shaft will have to be sunk from the surface, and will prove the means of raising more Ore. Jno Vipond & co are driving the upper Horse Level which opens the Vein and Flatts for raising Ore as it advances. 

      Lodgesyke Mine is doing great things and will probably raise as much Ore this Year as Middlehope, and at as favorable prices. The String which I reported to the Court in my last (Dec 22) is raising a good deal of most excellent solid Ore, which will be very productive of Lead. Isaac Lee & co are driving in a part of the Vein, where we expect to meet with Ore shortly. Jas Bainbridge & co are driving the deep Horse Level, & Jno Pinkney & co are driving another Horse Level, which lays open the Vein for raising Ore, and bringing out to the Surface to be washed. Thos Toward & co are cutting across to the Vein, & will soon raise Ore. Jos Atkinson & co are driving the Horse Level at Mannergill. 

      Wiregill is still under Trial. Jno Dixon & co are driving the upper Horse Level, which will by & by relieve the Vein of Water when we shall again raise Ore. Josh Schollick & co are driving the deep Horse Level for the discovery of Veins. And at Flakebrigg Wm Allison & co are driving the Level which will shortly be up to the Vein. The Court will please to apprise me when Gunpowder is shipped and name the price.

      I am etc

      Thos Dodds Senr