Report – Thomas Dodd – 21 Apr 1810

Hond. Masters					Nenthead 21 April 1810



	Having made my Quarterly View of the Company’s Mines in Alston Moor, Weardale, Teesdale, etc - on the 4, 5 & 6 I lett the Sundry Bargains, a list of which is annex’d. The greatest part of the Mines are poorer than usual, and will not raise so much Ore this Year, by some Thousands of Bings, as they did last, and I am well convinced the prices are such, that the Workmen employed in the most exhausted parts of the Mines, will make very poor Wages. The prices of Provisions are so high, that many Families in this poor Neighbourhood are half starved.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss are poorer, and raising less Ore than last Year. Robt. Irwin & co are driving the deep Horse Level. Wm. Teasdale & co are cutting a Cross to a Vein situate to the North of Rampgill Vein. Jon. Shield & co are driving a Horse Level in a different part of the Mine, and all these Levels are extremely hard, and require high prices. Jas. Thompson & co are driving a Level Southward for the discovery of fresh Strings. At Scaleburnmoss Jno.Thompson, Hugh Spottswood & Jno. Hall & Partners are all driving necessary Horse Levels in different parts of the Mine.

	Smallcleugh Mine still raises Ore very well, and of a good quality. Wm. Richardson & co are driving a Cross to the Flatts and will shortly cut them afresh. Miles Irwin & co are driving the Horse Level, and John Patrick & co the Level from the Engine, which will prove a general drain to Smallcleugh and all Middlecleugh Veins.

	 Middlecleugh Mine is poor, John Bowman & co are sinking a Sump, to furnish the Mine with fresh Air, and for trying the Vein in the upper Stratums. Thos. Thompson & co are driving a Level in a part of the Mine to drain the Vein in the Great Limestone. Robt. Elliott & Chr. Ellott & co are driving separate Horse Levels.

	Garrigill Mines in general are poor, tho’ one of the Workings in Browngill Sun Vein is become productive, & will probably raise 300 Bings this Year. It is the first Bargain in the List at Browngill Sun Vein. Wm. Thomason & co. are cutting a Cross to try the Vein in the Great Limestone. Jos. Hall & co are driving an Upper Level to try the Vein in the upper Stratums. At Tynebottom Jos. Wanless & Issac Teasdale and Partners are each driving Horse Levels, and will occasionally try the Veins.

	At Browngill & Thortergill Wm. Robson & co are repairing some Shafts & Levels, which frequently fall into decay. Hangingshaw Cross Vein & Caplecleugh are both poor, John Hall & co are driving the Horse Level at the former, & Robt. Dickinson  & co that of the latter. Broomsberry and Gudhamgillmoss are poor; and principally under trial. Thos. Walton & co are driving the Horse Level.

	Middlehope Mine employs many Hands, and raises a good deal of Ore, but being poorer than last year will of course raise less Ore. The new String is poorer than formerly, since quite separated from the Vein as I have already mention’d to the Court; tho’ there is no doubt of a good deal of Ore being raised to the Westwards, in the Great Lime & Coal Sills, as the String takes its direction where the surface of the Ground has an easy declivity to Westward, and as the Hill declines, and goes off it leaves the Vein with a suitable Cover, and in all probability will increase in Strength, and get more & more successful. The Ground is in this situation for almost a Mile, but after that a rapid Hill puts on, and the new String having several North & South Veins to cross, will, I believe scatter & render it good for Nothing. A very high Hill puts on to the Eastward, of course the String, according to Mining terms is nipt or twitched (that is much narrow’d off).  John Laverick & co are driving the Horse Level. Cuth. Watson & co are sinking a Sump from an upper Level for fresh Air, and open the Vein in the upper Stratums. Jno. Charlton & co are driving the upper Horse Level.

	Ireshopeburn is raising Ore to advantage. Jno. Kidd & co are driving the Horse Level. Stanhopeburn is poor, tho’ raises several parcels of Ore. The deep Level is going on with all possible Speed, by Thos. Wilkinson & co but is hard. John Vipond & co are driving a Level for the relief of the Flatts, which enables us to raise Ore, and will be of considerable benefit, as we are placing the Crushing Machine close to the Mouth of the Level. The Court will see we are merely supporting the Lease at Bolts Law at a considerable Expense & Loss. Lodgesyke Mine is doing well, but many parts of the other Mines in Teesdale are poor and under trials. Wm. Watson & co are rising into the Vein and will soon be done. Jas. Bainbridge & co are driving the deep Horse Level, Jno. Pinkney & co the upper one, & Thos. Towers & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface, to furnish Air, and try the Vein in the upper Stratums.

	At Wiregill Jos. Schollick & co are driving the deep Horse Level & John Nixon & co the other one, which is intended to relieve the Vein of Water by & bye, and will prove the mean of raising Ore. At Mannergill Chr. Pinkney & co are driving the Horse Level to prepare the Vein for raising Ore. Geo. Allison & co are driving the Horse Level at East Rake for the trial of the Vein, when they arrive at a proper point for that end John Watson & co are driving the Horse Level at Flakebrigg, but are still at a great distance from any object which promises Success.

	I have at the request of some Gentlemen inclosed a plan of a Bridge intended to be built over the Tees at Middleton (by subscription) which the Court will see on the plan, distinguish’d by a red Mark upon the line of the Road shaded with Green, but except that part of the road from Middleton to Wolsingham be made, the Bridge will be of no Service to the Gov[ernor] & Co. - it is abo’t 12 miles, and over a rugged Common. The principal Subscriptions are The Bishop of Durham £250, Lord Darlington £250, Lord Strathmore £250 and the Gentlemen wish to know whether or not the Gov[erno]r & Co. will subscribe.

      I am etc.

      Thos. Dodd Senr.