Report – Thomas Dodd – 13 Apr 1811

      Nenthead April 13th, 1811

Hon[oure]d Masters,



      After minutely inspecting the Mines under my Care, on the 19th, 20th & 21st, I lett the bargains, a list of which I have annexed, and trust the Court will give me credit for having taken every step in my power to render the whole concern beneficial. Under the present arrangement the number of hands in Dead-Work are between 40 & 50 fewer than the last return of Bargains, for there are none employed, but such as are necessary for the support of the works. The Mines throughout Alston Moor are very poor, the price of Lead bad, and the division of the Commons have brought the Country into a state of the most abject poverty, and it is a fact, that three fourths of the Workmen in the Moor cannot make wages to support their families but not knowing how to relieve themselves are obliged to submit themselves to such an indigent pittance as they can obtain. The Court will find the prices as I stated them. 

      Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines tho’ poor will work to advantage under the present regulations. At Rampgill Mine Anty Hewitson & co & Geo Raw & co are each driving a Horse Level in different parts of the Mine, but which are under different Leases. Scaleburnmoss Mine – Robt Barron & co are driving a deep Level to drain the Mine to the Bottom of the great Limestone. Thos Humble & co are sinking a Sump, and will try the Vein for Ore in the Limestone. Smallcleugh Mine is working to advantage, tho’ the Flatts are very hard, and the Ore procured by constant blasting with Gunpowder. Thos Cain & co are cutting across for the discovery of fresh Flatts. Geo Robinson & co are driving the general drain Level which brings the water of the Mine to the Engine. 

      Middlecleugh Mine is poor, but having little Dead work at present will be kept from Loss. Miles Irwin & co are sinking a sump to the great Limestone and will raise Ore when finished. At Caplecleugh Mine which is poor, Robt Dickinson & co are repairing Levels which frequently get into decay by long standing. At Hangingshaw Mine John Hall & co are driving the Horse Level. 

      Broomsberry Mine is still under Trial. Thos Walton & co are driving the Horse Level. Garrigill Mines are poor in general, and as they consist of several Leases, they of course take the more hands in Dead work to support and preserve them from forfeiture. In Browngill Sun Vein John Lancaster & co are driving a Level under the Firestone Sill where the Vein is whole, and will occasionally try the Vein for Ore. Jno Dryden & co, & Thos Vipond & co are repairing the Levels. Jas Dickinson & co are sinking and will soon try the Vein for Ore. At Browngill Jos Wanless & co are sinking into the great Limestone, and will prove the vein shortly. At Tynebottom Mine Thos Archer & co are driving a Level in the Limestone, and will soon try the Vein.

      Lodgesyke Mine in Teesdale is doing vastly well. The Horse Level which I put in on the side of the Mountain is in a proper place, going under the productive part of the Vein, and is a very great accommodation to the Mine, by producing a constant stream of water for washing the Ore, and by bringing both the Ore and rubbish out at an easy expence. I have lett a great number of bargains at this Mine, at favorable prices, and only one bargain is Dead Work. Geo Tarn & co are driving the Horse Level. The future prospect is flattering. Mannergill, Wiregill & Flakebrigg are so poor that they can raise little or no Ore at the present reduced prices, and are under Trial with as few hands as can support the Leases. 

      Middlehope Mine in Weardale is still successful in the new String to the Westward and raises a great deal of Ore. I think this Mine and Lodgesyke will be about a par this year, tho’ the duty at one is much easier than the other. John Johnson & co are driving in the String Eastward jointly with Col Beaumont’s Workmen. In driving about 4 Fa[thom]s more then String and Vein will be the given distance of 20 Yards from each other, when we will be quit of them. The String Eastward is not worth a shilling as was prophesied of it – there is little or no Ore in it, and it requires £14 per Fathom to drive it - & I am persuaded when it reaches the Boundary they will give it up. Henry Coulthard & co are driving the Horse Level Westward in the said String. Ireshopeburn is poor. Jn Kidd & co are driving the deep Level to open the Vein. Boltshaw is still in the same miserable state as before. There is little alteration with Stanhopeburn Mine since my last Report. Jno Vipond & co are driving the Horse Level for the relief of the Flatts and Vein in the Great Limestone. Thos Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Horse Level.

      The Court are in possession of my Son’s Plan & Mr Bainbridge’s letter respecting the Allotments. If the Court intend to inclose and improve their Lot I should be glad if they would take mine, for I have neither time nor money to bestow upon it. It is of some better quality than the Court’s, & has a fine stream of water in it Winter & Summer, and an excellent Quarry which is very convenient for the Company’s Allotment. I will refer the Value to the Court or any person or persons they will please to appoint, and will be happy to hear from them on the subject, as the time or season now approachs for doing something.

      I am etc

      Thos Dodd Senr