Report – Thomas Dodd – 18 Jul 1812

      Nenthead 18th July 1812

The Hon[oura]ble Gov[erno]r & Co



      Having reviewed the Mines under my direction on the 8th, 9th, & 10th Inst, I lett the bargains, a List of which is Annexed. From the hard Times, the general poverty of the Mines in the Moor, and wages low, we are subject to many difficulties.

      Rampgill Mine is much the same as last quarter, but Scaleburnmoss is so poor that few places in that Mine can be carried at the prices given. At Rampgill Geo Barron & co are driving in the Vein, which is at present poor, but expect, in a short time, better success. Wm Hardy & co are driving the Horse Level under the great Limestone, which prepares the Mine for trial. At Scaleburnmoss Thomas Humble & co are driving the Horse Level upon the great Limestone & will shortly sink into the Vein. Middlecleugh is so poor that few parts can be wrought at the present low prices. Mathew Hall & co are driving the Horse Level, which is hard & moves slowly. The Flatts at Smallcleugh go on pretty well, and raise a considerable quantity of the best Ore I almost ever saw, and which must of course prove very productive. Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep Level as the common drain to the Mines. Browngill sun vein is much the same as last Report. James Dickinson & Co are sinking a Sump into the vein in search of Ore The other parts of Garrigill Mines are very poor. At Tynebottom Jos Wanless & co are driving the Horse Level. Richd Lowthain & co are sinking a Sump to try the vein. Geo Dodd & co are driving the Horse Level at Browngill & Thortergill. Hangingshaw & Caple Cleugh Mines are extremely poor, & can scarcely be wrought at the present prices. At the former John Redshaw & co are driving in the great Limestone to try the Vein, and at the latter Robt Dickinson & co are driving the principal Horse Level, as a general trial of the several Veins. 

      Lodge Syke Mine continues to do well, & raises ore to great advantage. Jos Spark & co are driving the Horse Level in the upper part of the Mine, and Jos Richardson & co are driving the deep Horse Level, 22 Fathoms under the upper one, and Sumps will be sunk between, to form a necessary communication for air, & for raising the Ore, the principal Body of which is found between. Wiregill and Flakebrigg are under trials, & the expense is managed as frugally as possible.

      Middlehope Mine is raising Ore vastly well, & which is of a productive nature. The famous String to the westward raises by far the greatest proportion of the Ore. I should like to be furnished with the Heads of the agreement between the Comp[an]y and Col Beaumont. Josh Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level westward in the String & Jno Phillipson & co are sinking a shaft from the surface, to produce fresh air and prove the Vein in the upper Sills, which has not yet been done. Ireshopeburn Mine is not much altered since my last report. Jno Kidd & co are driving the deep Level. Stanhopeburn Mine is so poor that I am afraid we shall not be able to go on at the prices given for raising the Ore. Jos Butler & co are driving the deep Level which is very hard and goes slowly.

      Boltshaw Mine remains good for nothing. There is not more than 5 or 6 Bings of Ore raised at the Mine this year. The Court no doubt are acquainted with their own reasons for continuing this Mine, but they may believe me, it is money thrown away for there is no prospect. I have set on a trial at Lovelady Shield, in the fresh ground granted by the Greenwich Hospital to the Gov[erno]r & Co: please to see Wm Teasdale & co in the List of bargains. We have four Veins to cut with the said Level in a parallel situation, the whole within a distance of 120 Fathoms.



The Court will please order 

50 ha[lf] &  50 q[uarte]r Bar[rel]s Gunpowder per C.B.

50 do.    & 150 do.       do.                     F.B.



please to hurry them as we get none elsewhere and are almost out.

      I intreat the Court to give me their final answer respecting my brother, that if he is to remove he may have time to look out for a situation, and if so, the Court, I trust, will have the goodness to name the reason.

      I am, etc

      Thomas Dodd, Senr