Report – Thomas Dodd – 19 Jul 1806

Nenthead 19th July 1806



Hon[oure]d Masters

      After having taken a general Survey of the Gov[ernor] & Co’s of Lead Mines under my direction, I Let the sundry Bargains, on the 26th, 27th, & 28th past, of which I have annexed a List.

      Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines, which in some respects are blended together (the Work of both com[in]g out by the same Level, are doing well. W[illia]m Falkin & co in Rampgill are Driv[ing] the Horse Level Southw[ar]d for the discovery of fresh Veins, four new Strings have already been Cut by pursuing this level, several of which are now rais[ing] Ore, many more are yet to Cut, so that upon the whole it is a hopeful tryal, & as these Veins have not been explored to the depth of the great Limestone before, they will in all probability be of long duration. – G. Robinson & co are driv[ing] the deep Level as a common Water Course & Way in Gate to the whole Mine – Jon[athan] Shield & co are Driv[ing] a Level to prepare the Vein for rais[ing] Ore in the upper Sills at Scaleburn J[ohn] Bell & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level, out of which we occasionally Sink in to the Vein in search of Ore – 

T. Cain & co are Sinking into the great Limestone & will soon raise Ore in the Vein.

      Middlecleugh Mine is still very poor & loaded with unavoidable dead Work. – R. Robson & co are Driv[in]g one of the Horse levels – J. Hutchinson & co & R. Briggs & co are also Driv[ing] Horse Levels to prepare the several Veins for Trial – Jos[eph] Dickinson & co are Sinking a Sump to procure a Circulation of fresh Air & try the vein for Ore- R. Elliot & co & M. Hall & co are Sinking in differ[ent] parts of the Mine to relieve the same with fresh Air, & raise Ore – 

      SmallCleugh is much the same as when last reported & will Work to advantage – W[illia]m Richardson & co are Driv[in]g the Horse level which is in a solid Limestone Rock & requires a great price – W. Wharton & co are Driv[ing] the deep Level from the bottom of the Engine, which is a common drain to all the different parts of the Mine. J. Richardson & co are Cutting across to the Flats (which raise Ore well) to relieve the same with fresh Air & will soon finish.

      Garrigill Mines are still in a state of poverty & will require some time to bring many of the parts into a better situation – J. Harrison & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level in the Sun Vein – Ja]me]s Dickinson & co are Driv[ing] an upper Level to try for Ore in the upper Sills.

J. Davidson & co are Sinking a Sump at Browngill Mine which will be attended with great difficulties, but in the end will prove a relief to the Mine  & be the means of rais[ing] a great deal of Ore.

      That part of Garrigill Mines called Tynebottom continues poor, & all care of frugality is attended to in the several Trials – Jos[eph] Wanless & co are rising to try the Vein.

W[illia]m Thompson & co are Sinking a Sump for fresh Air, & to search for Ore in the Vein.

      Caplecleugh & Hangingshaw Cross Vein are no way materially altered since last report.

J. Dickinson & co are Driving the Horse Level at CapelCleugh & T. Armstrong & co are Sinking a Sump at Hangingshaw Cross Vein. – Hudgill Mine is still raising a little Ore from the old pickings – R. Bainbridge & co are Driving in the Vein in expectation of a String intersecting the same, which may bring some Ore with it –

      At Broomsberry & Gudamgillmoss, Chr[istopher] Armstrong & co are Driving an upper Level, which will open the Vein in the upper Sills & raise Ore when finished – 

      Boltshaw & Jeffrys Mines are extremely poor – at the former J.Armstrong & co are Driving in the Vein in search of better success & more Ore, & at Jeffrys we are doing the best we can till that business is settled – 

      Stanhope Mine is very poor – G. Vickers & co are unfinished (please see last report). J. Bainbridge & co are Driving in the deep Level, which makes slow progress – 

J Johnson & co are Driving the new Level at Coldberry which will shortly Cut the Vein.

Middlehope Mine employs fewer hands  & is poorer than last quarter, yet is Working to considerable advantage – Cha[rle]s Maddison & co are Driving the Horse Level as a drain to the whole Mine & a general Way Gate for all the Ore & Rubbish which the Mine produces –

J. Kidd & co are Driving a Level under the Limestone, which will try the Vein in the deeper Sills, such as the Tuft & Quarry Hazel – H[enr]y Coulthard & co are Driving a Level which prepares the Vein for raising Ore in the upper Strata.

      Wiregill is much poorer than last quarter, that part of the Vein which was rich being nearly excavated, the Strata above & below have little Ore in them, yet the scattered parts may collect in pursuing the Vein Eastw[ar]d. & raise a great deal more Ore – The Mine is now rais[ing] Ore to considerable advantage – H[enr]y Robinson & co are Driv[ing] a Level in a part of the Vein under the Soles, to drain that part of Water & to raise Ore; it will soon be finished.

J. Nixon & co are Driving the level – G. Allison & co are Driving the Deep Level for the discovery of fresh Veins – J. Godling & co are rising into the upper Sills to try the Vein – Miles Walton & co are cutting across to a fresh String –

      Mannergill is much the same as last report - J. Walton & co are Driving a Level out of which the Vein is occasionally tried – J. Watson & co are driving the new Level at Flakebrigg – The Mines in general are poor a few Workings excepted – I have let everything as low as I possibly could, & upon the whole they will make considerable profit.

      I have received the Courts of the 10th Inst. & thank them for their kindness in inquiring after my health. I was able to go to Darwent, Stanhope, Middlehope & Teesdale as usual & I find I am getting better every day – On the 29th of this month I intend to set out for South Wales, & on Saturday Aug[ust] 2nd I hope to be upon the Mineral Ground, but cannot yet say where my head quarters will be – If the Courts have any more Instructions to give me, I shall either get their Letter before I leave home, or at Penrith on my Road to Wales.

      The Court requested me to enquire when Mr Skottowe was last at Blanchland, that was in Aug[us]t 1802.

      I am etc

      Tho[mas] Dodd