Report – Thomas Dodd – 17 Nov 1810

      Nenthead Nov 17th 1810

Hon[oure]d Masters



      Having examined the Mines under my care in the Moor, Teesdale, Weardale & co, I lett the Bargains on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Octo[be]r, but my Time having been so completely taken up with settling all the Moor Accts, going to Newcastle & attending the Pays & co that it was not in my Power to transmit the list of Bargains & report sooner. The Mines with the exception of a few Places are extremely poor, but especially in many parts in the Moor. However I have lett the Bargains both for Ore and Dead Work on the lowest Terms possible. A considerable Expense has occurred this Year of cast Iron, Timber & Workmanship & co at Rampgill and Smallcleugh Engine, Stanhope Crushing Machine and other inevitable repairs, which swells the general account but will not appear again, for the Engines are now in a complete state of repair, and Stanhope Crushing Machine nearly finished. 

      At Rampgill Thos Readshaw & co are sinking into the great Limestone, and will soon try the vein. Wm Horsely & co are sinking a shaft from the surface for furnishing the Mine with fresh air. At Scaleburnmoss Robt Barron & co are driving in a part of the Vein to relieve the same of Water under the great Limestone. Matthew Hall & co are driving the Horse Level which gradually prepares the Vein for raising Ore. Robt Elliott & co are cutting across to a fresh Spring. 

      Smallcleugh Mine is doing well. The two foremost Bargains in the List are in the new Flatt – it contains a great deal of good Ore, but it is so hard and closely compacted in the great Limestone that it requires 20s per Bing to raise it, it being altogether to blast with Gunpowder. Wm Richardson & co are driving the Horse Level under the Flatt. Thos Hewitson & co are sinking a Sump from the Horse Level into the Engine Level for the accommodation of fresh air. Thos Cain & co are cutting across to the new Flatt at the distance of 15 Fa[thom]s south from where it is already cut. 

      Middlecleugh Mine is poor. Chas Elliott & co are driving one of the Horse Levels. Jos Vickers & co are cutting across to a fresh String and will soon raise some Ore in the same. Miles Irwin & co are driving a Horse Level in a different Part of the Mine. This Mine consists of four different Veins. Thos Thompson & co are driving a level under the Limestone to relieve the Vein of Water & Wm Waugh & co are driving another Horse Level in the Vein to prepare the same for Trial. 

      Hangingshaw & Caple Cleugh are poor but the latter one is approaching a cross Vein, from which I have considerable expectation, and trust it will do much better for the ensuing Year. At the former, John Hall & co are driving the Horse Level and at the latter Edwd Fawcett & co are sinking into the Vein & will shortly raise Ore. 

      Garrigill Mines are poor, except Browngill Sun Vein which will raise more Ore next Year at less Prices. James Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level & Wm Bright & co are rising into an upper Stratum to try the Vein in the same. 

      Tynebottom Mine is still poor. Josh Wanless & co are driving an upper Level to try the Vein & will shortly sink into the great Limestone or that End. Isaac Teasdale & co are driving the deep Horse Level, & will shortly cut a fresh Vein under the Limestone, which probably will produce Ore. 

      Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss are still under Trial, but will by & by raise Ore to pay the Expense.

      Middlehope Mine continues to be productive, and especially the new String to the Westward. The seven Bargains which stand foremost in the list being all in it. The east end of it now working by the Comp[an]y & Col Beaumont is good for nothing, very hard, & agreeable to the mining phrase twitched. Henry Coulthard & co are driving a regular Horse Level in said String, which is a Cut of the old Vein, and as soon as this Level is driven into the String it will raise Ore. John Johnson & co are driving the Partnership Level. Cuth Vannan & co are rising in the upper Stratums, and will soon raise Ore. John Charlton & co are driving the upper Horse Level. 

      Ireshopeburn is very poor, but is lett in a Task as I explained to the Gentlemen when in the North, and therefore have represented in the list as usual. 

      Stanhopeburn Mine tho’ poor will raise by & by such parcels of Ore from the different parts as to pay the Expence when the Crushing machine is finished. Jno Vipond & co are driving the Level in the Limestone which prepares the Vein and Flatts for raising Ore. Thos Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Horse Level.

      Lodgesyke Mine is successful and raises the principal part of the Ore at moderate prices. Jas Bainbridge & co are driving the Horse Level. Isaac Lee & co are rising into the Vein in the Limestone, and will shortly raise Ore. John Pinkney & co are driving the deep Horse Level. Thos Toward & co are sinking a shaft from the Surface. Mannergill will now raise Ore to prevent loss. Josh Atkinson & co are driving the Horse Level. Wiregill is under trial & will come round again but Money & patience are requisite to the accomplishment of that End. John Nixon & co are driving the Horse Level, & when it comes to a certain point in the Vein, will relieve it of water & raise Ore. Josh Schollick & co are driving the deep Horse Level for the discovery of Veins. Flakebrigg level is not yet at the Vein, but I hope will get into it during the ensuing year and raise some Ore. Boltshaw is not, nor ever will be worthy of Pursuit. The matter has been sufficiently discussed already, and when the Court have leisure they will give me instructions on this point, but in the mean time they will not forget that the money is spending. I have observed what the Court say respecting Nenthead Mill Lease, but I never saw such Lease, and if it was attached to any Mine Lease, it must have been Rampgill, but long since, it has not been in my time. That Mill never paid any Acknowledgement to Greenwich hospital and it is probable none will be required. 

      I am etc

      Thos Dodd Senr