Report – Thomas Dodd – 15 Jan 1814

      Nenthead Jany 15th, 1814

The Hon’ble The Gov[erno]r & Co



Sirs,

      After viewing the Sundry Mines under my care and management, on the 5th, 6th, & 7th Inst I lett the Bargains, a list of which is annexed. The Mines in general are much poorer this Quarter than the last, and are all lett as low as their situation and present state will admit of, both the Ore and Dead Bargains.

      Rampgill Mine raises a good deal of Ore, but a Cross Vein from the East having passed through the Forehead of the successful Vein has injured the Mine considerably. Hugh Spotiswood & co are driving the Horse Level Eastward to cut some more North & South Veins which are before them. Wm Roddam & co are driving an upper Level above the Horse Level & will sink between for communication of fresh air, & try the Veins in the upper Stratums. Wm Poutin & co are driving the Horse Level Southward which prepares the Vein for raising Ore. 

      Smallcleugh Mine is much the same as last report, raises a considerable quantity of fine productive Ore (in fact the best I ever saw) and upon the whole doing well. John Parkinson & co are driving the Horse Level. Robt Wharton & co are sinking into Flatts in fresh ground, and will soon be at Ore. Josh Spark & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine bottom as the common drain of Smallcleugh & Middlecleugh Veins, Geo Robinson & co are cutting a Cross Vein in the Great Limestone.

      Scaleburnmoss Mine is much excavated, & very poor, and indeed except times will admit of giving higher prices both for this & several other Mines, they cannot be wrought, nor the Ore raised, for during the last three or four years the prices have been lower than usual, & all the best parts of the Mines have been cut out, and except better prices are given for the old exhausted workings they will have to be relinquished. Thomas Humble & co are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone in the Vein, and will soon finish.

      Middlecleugh Mine can be of little consequence until the deep level going up from the bottom of Smallcleugh Engine cut the several veins under the great Limestone to drain them of water. Matthew Chester & co are sinking a Sump from a higher to the Horse Level, to cause a circulation of Air, and prove the Vein in the Little Coal Sills.

      Garrigill Mines are excessive poor, and several trials in hand. At Browngill Sun Vein Jno Lancaster & co are driving a Level to drain the Vein of Water, where some Ore will be got when finished.

      The Tynebottom Mines are still poor and different parts under trial. Thos Archer & co are driving a Level to the Flatts, where we expect to meet with some Ore. Josh Heatherington & co are sinking into the Four Fathom Limestone and will shortly make a Trial of the Vein. Jas Dickinson & co are sinking for a Flatt in a different part. Thomas Cain & co are driving the Horse Level at Browngill & Thortergill.

      Blackashgill & Middlecleugh Cross Vein will remain under Trial for some time to come, but the latter, which is a favorable prospect will raise Ore before the expiration of the present Year. Jno Vipond, Jno Elliott, & Robt Dickinson & co re all driving Horse Levels in different parts.

      Lovelady Shield is under Trial. The first Vein has been cut in the Level and has a bad appearance, & Wm Teasdale & co are driving said Level to cut another Vein at a distance of about 25 Fathoms from the former.

      Gudhamgillmoss Mine is poor but raises some Ore and expect this Mine will do better by & by. John Richardson & co are sinking a Sump into the Vein in the Great Limestone.

      Lodgesyke Mine is rather poorer than when the Michaelmas Bargains were lett, tho will raise a great deal of Ore to considerable advantage. Cutht Fairless & co are driving the Horse Level, & Thos Lee & co are boring a sump between the two Levels, and will be sunk, to relieve the Vein of Water & try the Vein, where no doubt much Ore will be raised, and at lower prices when the Water is drained off the Vein.

      Coldberry, Wiregill, and Flakebrigg are still under Trial. Tho’ some of them hopefull ones. The Coldberry Mine is beginning to raise some Ore. Jno Pinkney & co are driving the Deep Horse Level, at Wiregill Geo Tarn & co are driving the Deep Horse Level and John Nixon & co an upper one to bring the Water off the Vein. Flakebrigg is a hopefull Trial, Jon Morton & co are driving a Level to convey the Water on the Engine Wheel.

      Middlehope Mine is poorer than last Quarter tho’ raises a considerable Quantity of Ore, Thos Hudson & co are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone, & Josh Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level in the New String to the Westward to prepare the Vein for raising the Ore.

      Stanhope tho’ poor continues to raise ore in the Flatts. Jos Collingwood & co are driving the Horse Level for the benefit of the Flatt Workings. We are in want of Gunpowder & none has appeared from London.

      I am etc etc

      Thomas Dodd Senr