Report – Thomas Dodd – 31 Oct 1809

Hond. Masters					Nenthead 31 Octr. 1809



	Having made a Survey of the Company’s Mines under my Direction, on the 28, 29 & 30 Sept. I lett the Sundry Bargains, a List of which is annexed. They are lett on the lowest terms I was capable of, but the hardness of the times, and the complaints of the People, make letting Bargains a very serious task.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss are much the same as last quarter, and are raising Ore to advantage. At Rampgill Robt. Elliott & co are driving one of the Horse Levels, which is a solid Limestone Rock, excessive hard and difficult to work. Jno. Liverick & co are driving another Level, which is also hard, and Matt. Robson & co are driving a third Horse Level in a different Vein, all of them highly necessary for the general Benefit & success of the Mine. Wm. Armstrong & co are repairing the Engine Shaft, which, when they began was in a State of utter decay, the Timber being all rotten from its long Standing, and as we are obliged to arch the Wheel Case with Stone, it will of course be a considerable Expense, probably Labour & Materials £250. At Scaleburnmoss Wm. Hall & co are driving a Level in the Stratum called the Little Limestone, and will occasionally try the Vein for Ore. Matt. Hall & co are driving the Horse Level. Hugh Spotswood & co are driving the deep Level for a general Drain. Please to see it described in my last report of Rampgill. Smallcleugh Mine is poorer than last quarter, tho’ working to considerable advantage. Wm. Richardson & co are cutting a Cross to the Flatts, which is very hard but will soon be done. Jas. Armstrong & co are driving the Horse Level, and Jno. Patrick & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine Bottom, which is the general Drain of the Mine.

	Middlecleugh Mine is poor, but raises so much Ore as to preserve the same from loss. Matt. Cousin & co are driving one of the Horse Levels, Chr. Elliott & co are driving a Horse Level in a different Vein, and Thos. Thompson & co are driving a Level under the Limestone to drain the Vein. At Hangingshaw Mine John Hall & co are driving the Level under the Great Limestone to unwater the Vein. At Caplecleugh Jos. Thompson & co are repairing a Level. Robt. Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level.

	All the Mines in Garrigill are still extremely poor. At Browngill Sun Vein, Wm. Thomason & co are sinking a Sump to furnish the Mine with fresh Air, and try the Vein in the Great Limestone. Jos. Hall & co are driving an Upper Level to communicate with the lower parts of the Mine and try the Vein in the Limestone. Jas. Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level. Tynebottom is very poor. Jos. Wanless & co are driving an Upper Level to try some Veins & Strings in fresh Ground. Isaac Teasdale & co are driving the Horse Level to prepare the Vein for further trial. Wm. Robson & co are repairing Levels & Sumps which frequently get out of repair. At Gudhamgillmoss & Broomsberry Thos. Walton & co are driving the Horse Level which will shortly lay the Vein open for raising Ore. Middlehope Mine is not so rich in the leading forehead Westward, as last Quarter, the String & Vein having finally separated, of course the parts are become much poorer than when in a united Body, tho’ the Mine is still rich, and likely to be, particularly in the New String. I have made every examination in my power, by Diallings under Ground, and upon the Surface, but cannot find that the String has ever been wrought by the Blackett or Beaumont Families distinct from other Mines. Smith Elliott & co are driving an Upper Level, both to try the Upper Stratums, and to furnish the deep Workings with Fresh Air by sinking between. The Mine is raising a great quantity of very fine Ore. John Kidd & co are driving the Horse Level at Ireshopeburn.

	Lodgesyke Mine in Teesdale is successful, and in a proper State of working, having Levels carried up to the Vein in proper Situations. Henry Robson & co are driving the Upper Horse Level. Richd. Lee & co are rising into the Vein, and will soon raise Ore. Jas. Bainbridge & co are sinking a Shaft to air the Vein in the several workings. Wm. Watson & co are sinking another Shaft, and will finish in a few Weeks and raise Ore. Jno. Pinkney & co are driving the deep Horse Level, preparing the Vein to raise Ore in the deeper or low Stratums. Wiregill is very poor, but will come round again when the Horse Level driving by Ja. Nixon & co arrives at a certain point of the Vein. Jos. Schollick & co are driving the deep Horse Level. Mannergill Mine raises Ore without loss, but will by and bye do better; Chr. Pinkney & co are driving the Level. East Rake & Flakebrigg are both under trial, but I have no opinion of either of them. Yet as the Lease of Flakebrigg Mine and Egglestone Mill are one, the Mine therefore cannot cease working, without the Mill being forfeited. But the Court know all these things.

	Stanhopeburn Mine is much the same as last report but will raise more Ore the ensuing Year than before. Jacob Vicars & co are driving an Upper Level to open the Flatts in the Great Limestone which will shortly raise Ore. Thos. Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Horse Level which will shortly cut some Veins and try them in the deep Stratums, as the Level will drain them all. Thos. Bell & co have been sinking a Shaft at Bolts Law, and are now working in the Vein in a Strong Stratum, but this Vein is entirely without Success, nor is there any prospect of ever doing good there but inevitably throwing Money away, which I don’t like, especially when all expectation & prospect is lost.

      I am etc.	

      Thos. Dodd Senr.