Report – Thomas Dodd – 6 Nov 1813

      Nenthead, Novr 6th, 1813

The hon the Gov.r & Co



      I have viewed the Comp[an]y’s Mines under my care, & on the 6th, 7th, & 8th past I lett the sundry Bargains, a List of which is annexed. Rampgill Mine is successful and still raising a great quantity of Ore, & the principal part at low prices. Jas Armstrong & co are driving the Horse Level, as preparatory to raising the Ore. Hugh Spotiswood & co are rising into the vein in the Great Limestone. It is a fresh vein cut about a Month ago, in the Horse Level, at a short distance from the successful vein, & likely for raising ore, and which, during this quarter, will be proved in two different places. Wm Roddam & co are driving a level in the Little Limestone. Jno Thompson & co are cutting across in the Limestone, from the old vein to the new one & will in a short time prove its success.

      Scaleburnmoss Mine is much the same as last Report. Thos Humble & co are driving in the Vein in the Limestone where I expect Ore will shortly be raised, being the same vein as Rampgill Successful Vein, bearing away to the Northward. Jacob Blaylock & co are driving the Horse Level. Smallcleugh is still doing well & raises the most beautiful & productive Ore I ever saw. Jno Parker & co are driving the Horse Level. Matt Cousin & co are sinking into the Flatts for fresh air, & Jos Sparks & co are driving the Engine Level, as the common drain of several Veins

      Middlecleugh Mine is doing nothing, except two places under trial, to preserve two of the Leases from forfeiture. Garrigill Nines are prodigious poor & employ few hands. Wm Elliot & co at Browngill Sun Vein are driving a Level in the Little Limestone, to take the water of the Vein in the upper Stratums, where some Ore will be got. At Tynebottom Jas Dickinson & co are sinking a Shaft from the surface to try the Flatts & Vein in what is called the Tynebottom Limestone. Thos Cain & co are driving the Horse Level & Jos Heatherington & co are sinking to prove the Vein in a deep stratum call the Four Fathom Limestone. Jno Hall & co are driving a Level at Hangingshaw to get at the bottom of the Smallcleugh Engine & put an end to a considerable annual expense, & prove the means of getting ore in different veins when accomplished.

      At Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss Jno Richardson & co are driving the Horse Level. The Mine is poor. Loveladyshield is under trial. Wm Teasdale & co are driving the Level. One vein is cut of a bad complexion, of course we are driving to another about 25 Fa[thom]s distant. Middlecleugh Cross vein connected with the new trials at Blackashgill. Robt Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level Northward, which will prepare the Vein for raising Ore in the Greenwich Hospital’s Liberty & Geo Oliver & co are opening an old Level to the southward.

      At Blackashgill Jno Vipond & co are driving the Horse Level by the side of the vein & will occasionally sink into the Great Limestone in search of Ore. Jno Elliot & co are driving a level from the surface to try some different veins under the same Lease, & these places will be expensive for some time before trials can be made.

      Lodgesyke is still raising a great deal of Ore, & is on a proper easy plan for working, the levels in proper situations, but the Vein carries a soft heavy Rider (that is a large Mineral part exclusive of the Ore) which consumes a great quantity of Timber to support the Levels and Workings, & is such a width as renders the whole operation dangerous, & requires attention & skill to carry on the Mine. Jos Richardson & co are driving the deep Horse Level, & Jno Binks & co are sinking a Sump between the two Levels, Please to see the last report on this subject. Wiregill is now beginning to raise ore again, the soles relieved of water by the Low Level. Geo Tarn & co are driving the Low Level, & Jno Nixon & co are driving the Level for the more effectual relief of the Soles, & the vein to the eastward, where the Ground is unexplored. We are beginning to get a little Ore at Coldberry new trial. Jno Pinkney & co are driving the Horse Level. Flakebrigg is still under trial, & will yet require time to carry that trial into effect, but I think it a proper one. Jon Morton & co are driving a Level from the Surface to carry the water on to the Engine Wheel.

      Middlecleugh Mine is doing well, raises good ore, & of course works to considerable advantage. Jos Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level. Jon Lowes & co are cutting across to prove the Vein in the Little Limestone in whole ground. Thos Hudson & co are sinking into the great Limestone in the Vein, & will shortly raise Ore by the Bing.

      Stanhope Mine is still poor, & can scarce go on at the prices given. Jos Collingwood & co are driving a Level in the side of the Flatts & tries them occasionally Wm Metcalf & co are sinking a Sump into the vein recently cut in the deep Level, & will by & by prove the vein.

      I am etc,

      Thomas Dodd, Senr