Report – Thomas Dodd – 15 Jul 1809

Hond. Masters					Nenthead 15 July 1809



	After a general Survey of the Company’s Mines under my care, I lett the Sundry Bargains on 27, 28 & 29 past, of which a List is annex’d. The Bargains are lett on the lowest terms they will admit of, but I am concerned to say, that the price of Provisions is such, that many of the Workmen are hard put to it to get Bread for their Families.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines are doing well, though not altogether so successful as last Quarter, Robt. Elliott & co at Rampgill are driving the Horse Level in the great Limestone, which prepares the Mine for raising Ore, by rising and sinking into the same occasionally as need requires. John Liverick & co are driving a Horse Level in a different Branch of the Mine, to prepare the Vein for raising Ore. Matthew Robson & co are driving a Level in the North Vein, which is a main Way-gate for bringing the Ore and Rubbish from all the different Branches of the Mine, to the Mouth of the Level where the Ore is wash’d. Hugh Spottswood & co are driving a deep Level to unwater both Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines which will lay aside two expensive Water Engines, and tho’ the progress will be slow, being excessive hard, it will be of great Utility in future to these Mines, as it will be an effectual Drain to Rampgill and Scaleburnmoss, and all their attendant Branches and Strings.

	At Scaleburnmoss Wm. Hall & co are driving a Cross from the Vein, to cut a fresh Branch or Vein to the East laying parallel to the principal Vein. Matthew Hall & co are sinking into the Great Limestone in the Vein, and will soon raise Ore at a low price.

	Smallcleugh Mine is still working to good advantage, Wm. Richardson & co are driving a Cross to cut the Flatts in fresh Ground, where in all probability we shall raise a great deal of Ore. John Patrick & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine, Matthew Cousin & co are sinking into the Vein in the great Limestone to try the same.

	Middlecleugh Mine is still poor, but will be kept from loss by the Ore raised in said Mine. John Hall & co are repairing a Level necessary for the Accommodation and Support of the Mine. Thos. Thompson & co are driving a Level under the Great Limestone to drain the Vein and raise Ore in the same. Chr. Elliott & co are driving the Horse Level in one of the Veins, which prepares it for raising Ore. Jas. Armstrong & co are driving a Horse Level in a different Vein, but for the same End.

	Robt. Dickinson & co at Caplecleugh are driving the Horse Level and Joshua Percival & Jos. Thompson & co are repairing Levels Shafts etc to keep the Mine in a proper State of Repair. Browngill Sun Vein, and all Garrigill Mines continue in a State of Poverty, but such parts as are under necessary trials shall be conducted with proper care & attention. William Thomason & co are driving a Level under the Great Limestone, and will make trials in the most likely parts of the Vein. John Smith & co are driving the Horse Level. At Browngill & Thortergill Wm. Robson & co are repairing decayed Levels & Shafts, and Jos. Hall & co are driving a Level from the Surface to make a proper Communication with other parts of the Mine and necessary trials for Ore. At Tynebottom Richd. Lowthain & co are repairing a Level. Jos. Wanless & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface into the Horse Level as a Convenience for fresh Air. Isaac Teesdale & co are driving the Horse Level.

	Middlehope Mine is doing great Things. I spent the whole of Tuesday last in Dialling, and tracing the direction of the Vein across the Mountains for 7 or 8 Miles, and I don’t find that either the Blackett or Beaumont Families have ever discover’d or made a Cut into the said Vein in any part of their Liberty; but Mr. Bainbridge (to whom I have given every Information in my power) will write the Court by this Post on this important Subject, for I am persuaded the Vein is of great Value. Smith Elliott & co are Sinking a Shaft from the Surface to accommodate the whole Mine with Fresh Air.

	At Ireshopeburn John Kidd & co are driving the Horse Level. Stanhopeburn Mine is much the same as when last reported. Jacob Vickers & co are driving an upper Horse Level, which prepares the Vein for raising Ore. Thos. Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Horse Level as the common Drain to the Mine. Lodgesyke Mine is doing well and raising Ore to advantage. Henry Robson & co are driving the upper Horse Level, as a necessary opening to the Mine, for raising the Ore and bringing the Ore and Rubbish to the Mouth of the Level.

	James Bainbridge & co are driving the deep Horse Level, and Sumps are sunk between, which gives us a power to work the Several Stratums between the two Levels. John Pinkney & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface for fresh Air. Wiregill is very poor but will revive again. Jos. Schollick & co are sinking a Shaft into the deep Level. John Nixon & co are driving the Horse Level. At Mannergill Chr. Pinkney & co are driving the Horse Level, which both relieves some Old Works (run together when I first visited the Mines) and prepares the Vein for fresh Trials. John Watson & co are driving the deep Level at Flakebrigg. Geo. Allison & co are opening an Old Level at East Rake Mine, which was recently purchased by the Company for £70. Thos. Walton & co are driving the Horse Level at Gudhamgillmoss (Please see last Report). Thos. Bell & co are sinking a Shaft at Boltslaw, which will soon be done, and I trust the Court will then come to a determination abo[u]t this Mine. On the receipt of the Court’s Letter, I sent Mich. Stephenson a Copy of it, and have heard nothing more from him.

      I am etc

      Thos. Dodd Senr.