Report – Thomas Dodd – 8 Nov 1815

The Honourable The Governor & Company 			Nenthead November 8th 1815



Sirs

      I have just received the Courts of the 2 Inst & the great reason of the Bargains & Report being delayed was the Settling the Mine Accounts as soon as the Bargains was over, with which we have been very busy.   I finished the List of Bargains & Reports on Saturday, and will forward them by Thursdays Post.   After carefully examining the Company’s Mines in my department, and making the necessary arrangements on the 5th, 6th & 7th October I lett the Sundry Bargains.

      

Middlehope I have employed 50 Pickmen at from 18 to 25/ p[er] Bing (agreeable to the orders of the Deputation) 36 in the Pickings and 12 in Dead Work.   This Mine will do well Featherstone Wilson &c as p[er] List are driving in the Vein, expecting to meet with the intersection of some Strings which cannot fail of Success.   John Armstrong &c are rising into the Coal Hazel to prove the Vein in that Stratum & Nathan Race are driving the Horse Level



Stanhopeburn Mine 20 Men are employed in raising Ore at 40/s p[er]Bing & 4 in Dead Work driving the Horse Level &c



Ireshopeburn 6 Men at 48/s p[er] Bing and no other Expence



Several of the Mines in the Moor are poor, & I have made use of every consideration & all the Mineral Judgement in My power in the letting the Bargains to cover the Numerous Leases, and have lett Bargains to 104 Pickmen at Various prices (under 38) in the leading Workings, keeping in View 14/s p[er] Week and as a great number of the Workmen were likely to be thrown out of employ, instead of 40 Men the Stipulated number to be imployed in the Old Pickings from 38 to 42/ I have employed 148, which I trust the Court will pardon the Pickings without additional expence being one of the best sources of profit in Old Wrought Mines And if I am correct in My recollection the Deputation gave way to that, rather than the Men should be unemployed, and would submit to engage at that Price.   I have strictly attended to the orders of 60 Men being employed in Dead Work (44 fewer than at Midsummer) and the Reduction of the price per fathom, calculating on the whole 14/ p[er] Week. The Court will find the Number of hands in the List 58 fewer than at Midsummer.  I have also reduced the Carriage of Wood & Coals as also the Carriage of all Materials & Stores from Newcastle, and I trust upon the whole, we shall do well.  However to accomplish this point the Court may Rely upon my utmost vigilance & care



Rampgill Mine Josa Wallace &c are driving the Horse Level under the Great Limestone, in the Vein so successful in 1814  For twelve Months past the Vein has been without Ore in which situation we have pursued it in the Limestone 50 Fathom at a considerable expence, for I had the strongest reason to beleive that the scattered parts would collect together again, now I am happy to say my expectations are Realized, and the Forehead is working at a moderate price p[er] Bing.  Wm Irwin &c are driving a Horse Level in the Sun Vein to prepare the Same for Raising Ore in the Great Limestone.   Mattw Thompson &c are sinking a Sump from an upper Level into the Horse Level



Scaleburnmoss Mine which is poor, & every Bargain but on[e] requires the highest price John Richardson &c are driving the Horse Level



Middle Cleugh Cross Vein 34 Pickmen are raising Ore at as low prices as the Mine will admit of, 6 Men only in Dead Work Edwd Fawcett &c are cutting a Cross to a String 5 or 6 fa[thom]s West of the Vein & Jno Milburn &c are driving the Horse Level 



Middle Cleugh Mine is poor at present but will be Relieved by Small Cleugh deep Level from the Engine. John Waugh &c are driving the Horse Level which is all the Dead Work upon said Vein



Small Cleugh Flatts have been poorer than usual for some time past, the course of the Flatt having been obstructed by an East & West String passing through it; & took the Ore totally away, and left nothing but a Limestone Rock, but by pursuing the String about 20 Yards to the Eastward, we have again come at the Flatt, which Expected, & which will again do well.   Robt. Millican &c are sinking a Sump into the Deep Level & Josa. Spark &c are driving the deep Level to the point where the Sump is to come down, which will <Serve> the Mine and relieve Middle Cleugh Mine of Water



Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss are still under Trial by 4 Men in Dead Work & 2 for Ore Wm Armstrong &c are sinking into the Vein in the Great Limestone to prove the same in fresh ground.



Browngill Sun Vein is poor Matt Clemitson &c are driving the Horse Level



Browngill & Thortergill Mine is poor John Pattinson &c are driving the Horse Level in the Vein under the Great Limestone which drains & prepares the Mine for Raising Ore



Tynebottom raises a little Ore, & at present only two Men in Dead Work John Elliott &c driving the Level at



Blackashgill & it will require a considerable time to have a satisfactory Trial at this Mine

Lovelady Shield Wm Teasdale &c are sinking a Shaft into the Vein where there is a prospect of meeting with some Ore at the depth of 4 or 5 fath[om]s: for we have a hopeful looking Vein I hope the Court will be convinced in looking over the List, that every nerve is Stretched to keep down the general expence, & which is highly necessary under the present depression of the Lead Market

      I am Sirs &c &c

      Thomas Dodd Senr.



P.S. We have discovered another hopeful Cross or North & South running Vein in Rampgill since the late Deputation left this Country, which is now Working by the Bing of course I expect Rampgill will do well this Year.  As several of the Workmen are out of employ, has the Court any objection that I should employ them at from 38 to 42/ p[er] Bing in the Old Pickings for there are many workings of that description in the Moor.   The Court gave no answer in their last respecting the Duty Ore & Candles.  My Son will write the Court in a few Days respecting the Instruments necessary for Surveying and planning.

[Table of bing-rate bargains is given in the margin. See spreadsheet ‘NEIMME LLC/40 Bargains’ which can be downloaded]