Report – Thomas Dodd – 16 Jul 1814

The Honble The Govr & Compy 					Nenthead July 16th 1814



Sirs

      Having viewed the Company’s Mines under my Care, on July 1st & 2nd I lett the Sundry Bargains Annexed 



Rampgill Mine continues to Raise a considerable quantity of Ore and in many of the Workings at favourable prices, but am sorry to say the leading Forehead continues in a Dead State.  Thos Hewitson &c as per list are driving the Forehead with an expectation of better success, from some lively productive parts intersecting the Dead part of the Vein & reviving it again.   John Elliott &c are driving a Level in the upper part of the Mine, to prepare the upper Stratums for raising Ore, by occasionally sinking into them Hugh Spotswood & are driving the deep Horse Level in what is called, in the book of Proposals Rampgill Sun Vein



Scaleburnmoss Mine is poor and employs few hands in consequence of the prices now given not being adequate to Raise the Ore in the Old Workings, the principal of the Ore having been cut out Thomas Humble &c are driving the Deep Horse Level in the Solid Limestone, which is prodigious hard.



Small Cleugh Flatts are not materially altered since my last Report; the Ore is vastly good in its Nature, and the Bargains at the lowest prices produce a good deal of it.   Joseph Sparks &c are driving the deep Level please to see the last Report, Jacob Blaylock &c are sinking a Sump into the Flatt and will shortly raise Ore – Wm Metcalf &c are driving the Level to prepare the Flatts for Raising the Ore



Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss raises small parcels of Ore but is poor John Richardson &c are driving in the Vein in the Great Limestone where we expect to meet with better success.



Middlehope Mine is doing very well, and produces a considerable quantity of good Ore.   Wm Brown &c are sinking a Sump from the Upper to the deep Level, both for the convenience of fresh air and proving the Vein in the Little Limestone.   John Armstrong &c are sinking a Shaft from the Surface into the upper Level for a current of pure Air, and to prove the Vein in the Stratum near the Surface.



Stanhope Mine is poor and requires the highest prices for raising the Ore.  John Vipond &c are driving the Horse Level under the Flatts and is very convenient for them, as all the Ore Raised at this Mine, is Raised from the Flatts



The Garrigill Mines are excessively poor, and the small parcels of Ore raised at them require high prices.  Jos Wanless &c are driving the Horse Level at Tynebottom.   Thomas Archer &c are rising into the Vein at Browngill.  Jos Hall &c are driving the Horse Level & Thomas Cain &c are driving the Horse Level in a different Vein under the great Limestone to Relieve the Mine of Water



Middlecleugh Mines are poor, and as their future success depends upon Small Cleugh deep Level coming up to their relief we therefore barely preserve the Lease, untill that is accomplished Matt: Chester &c are sinking a Sump for fresh Air and to try the Vein in the upper Stratum and the Great Limestone Wm Teasdale &c are driving the Level at Lovelady Shield, which Mine will remain under trial for some time.



Middle Cleugh Cross Vein recently engaged with, is now beginning to raise Ore and is a hopeful trial.   Robt Dickinson &c have been driving a Level upon the great Limestone, and are now sinking a sump into the Vein.  Geo: Oliver &c are driving a Level in the North end of Middle Cleugh Cross Vein Lease, 800 Yards distance from that part of the Vein in which Robt Dickinson &c are sinking, and a Level will be driven at each end of said Lease, which will effectually win the Cross Vein, and cut several east & West Running Veins that pass the Cross Vein and open an extensive fresh field.



Blackasgill as connected with the above is under Trial, but not so likely for success as Middle Cleugh Cross Vein: Jno Elliott & Co are driving a Horse Level upon the Little Limestone, Coal Sills &c.   Jno Vipond &c are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone in a different part of the Mine.



Hangingshaw is very poor, John Hall &c are opening an Old Level, which will make way for some fresh Trials.   The Court I trust will give me Credit for having lett the Bargains of the Several Mines under My Management on the lowest terms that the Situation of them would possibly admit, and I hope in general they will do well

      I am &c &c

      Thomas Dodd Senr