Report – Thomas Dodd – 13 Jul 1811

      Nenthead 13th July 1811

Hon[oure]d Masters



      After viewing the Mines under my care in Alston Moor, Weardale & Teasdale, on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd instant I lett the sundry Bargains a list of which is annexed.

      I have taken all the care in my power to curtail the general expence throughout the whole Works that I might fully meet the Court’s wishes in the reduction of prices for raising the Ore, & which has caused 146 fewer hands in the working list than it contained at Lady Day, & comparatively speaking, there will be little Ore raised this Quarter in the Moor and Stanhope which are at present the poorest parts of the works. 

      Rampgill is some degrees poorer than last quarter & employs fewer hands in consequence of the reduced prices, but will raise the Ore to advantage, should the Lead markets support the present price. Caleb Dryden & co are driving in a cross vein and will shortly meet with Ore to work by the Bing. Josh Blaycock & co are rising into the vein in the great Limestone in the same vein and will soon raise Ore. Jacob Peart & co are driving the deep Level, which in time is intended to abolish Rampgill Engine & we are obliged to drive s[ai]d level as it supports a separate lease. Scaleburnmoss Mine will raise Ore to preserve the Mine from loss. Robt Barron & co are driving the deep Level which drains the Mine & Thos Humble & co are driving the horse level under a different lease – of course both are necessary to be pursued. 

      Smallcleugh Mine is poorer than formerly, but will work to advantage. Jsh Percival & co are cutting across for the discovery of fresh Flatts. Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep level from the Engine as the general drain of the Mine. Middlecleugh is poor & employs few hands on account of the alterations in the Bargains. Miles Irwin & co are driving one of the horse levels & Thos Hewitson & co another one, but are different leases. Garrigill Mines are still poor, but no more dead work going on but such as is necessary to support the different leases. At Browngill sun vein John Lancaster & co are repairing a level. At Tynebottom Joseph Wanless & co are driving the horse level, & Richd Lawthian & co are driving a horse level in a different vein. I have given up two leases called in the list of leases of the Co[mpany]’s Mines in the Moor, Cooper-dyke-heads middle vein & Fletcheras vein, there being no longer any prospect in them. They have always appeared in the name of Tynebottom. At Browngill Jas Dickinson & co are driving the horse level. At Hangingshaw John Hall & co are driving the horse level, & little alteration with either this Mine or Caplecleugh since my last report. Edwd Fawcett & co are driving the horse level at the latter. Thos Walton & co are driving the horse level at Broomsberry, which is still under trial.

      Stanhope Mine is much the same as last quarter & I was obliged to give 40/- per Bing for the Ore Bargains, otherwise they would not have been wrought. 

      The Crushing Machine is of great benefit & will make at least 1/5 more of the ore than the common way of washing, for the more stubborn the ore the more beneficial the machine. John Vipond & co are driving the horse level which is a general accommodation for bringing out the ore and rubbish and also working the Flatts in the limestone. Thos Atkinson & co are driving the deep level to drain the whole Mine & dry the veins in the low stratums.

      Lodgesyke Mine is doing well & raises the Oar at favorable prices and the levels being in a proper situation makes the general expence easy. Geo Tarn & co are driving the horse level & John Pinkney & co are repairing Bingsteads, Knockstones, Buddles, and winning stones etc in wages.

      At Wiregill, Mannergill & Flakebrigg we are merely driving the necessary horse levels to preserve the leases, as none of the poor pickings will work at the reduced price. 

      Middlehope Mine is still doing well and raises a great deal of Ore and especially in that part of the string to the westward which was obtained in the settlement with Col Beaumont, for the East end is very poor on account of the high mountain coming gradually back on the vein & string. Josh Dalkin & co are cutting across to the vein in one of the upper stratums.

      Ireshopeburn is much the same as the last report. John Kidd & co are driving the horse level. Boltshaw Mine is still very poor & will always be a losing concern. I have been obliged to turn away all the workmen this quarter end & send fresh hands from Nenthead. Such a parcel of designing Men I have seldom met with.

      I am etc

      Thomas Dodd Senr