Report – Thomas Dodd – 9 Jan 1813

      Nenthead, Jany 9th, 1813

The Hon[ourable] the Gov[erno]r & co,



      After viewing the Comp[an]y’s Mines under my direction on the 28th, 29th & 30th last past, I lett the sundry Bargains & have annexed a list thereof. Lodgesyke (which I visited first) employs a great number of hands, having many Pickings left in the rear or hindermost parts of the Mine. The general workings are not richer than the last Quarter, yet will raise a great quantity of Ore to very considerable advantage. Jos Richardson & co are driving the deepest of the horse Levels. Jno Binks & co are sinking a sump (or Pit) from the upper Level to the deeper one (23 fathoms between) which is intended to cause a circulation of fresh air, & lay the vein open for raising Ore in the Stratums between the Levels. Richd Davidson & co are repairing a Level. Wiregill & Flakebrigg Mines are still under trial & shall be conducted on the most economical plan.

      Jno Pinkney & co are driving a horse Level to cut Coldberry Vein, in a proper situation for trial, in the fresh lease obtained from Lord Darlington. Old Levels had been driven many years ago, but, as I think, very improperly. Mr Bainbridge & I corrected some trifling errors in the draft, & have sent it to his Lordship’s Attorney to be engrossed. The Court will please to bear it in recollection that Coldberry Vein is the same as Lodgesyke.

      Middlehope Mine continues to do well, & is not materially altered since last Report; but Col Beaumont’s Mines have been poor the last year, and I am afraid the composition in lieu of Duty will be heavier upon the Comp[an]y’s Ore. Jos Dalkin & co are driving the horse Level westward in the new string which continues successful. Wm Hall & co are sinking a shaft and will soon be finished. Please to see last Report. Ireshopeburn is much the same as last Report. Jno Kidd & co are driving the deep Level. Stanhopeburn Mine continues poor, the two Levels are prodigious hard & move very slowly.

      Rampgill Mine is doing well in different parts, and raising ore to advantage, especially the cross vein which we last cut in the horse Level. Jasper Hunter & co are driving the Level. Wm Armstrong & co are repairing an old Level, & Jno Stephenson & co are driving a horse Level in a different branch of the Mine. Smallcleugh Flatts are successful & raise a considerable quantity of Ore, & probably none more productive in England. It is a pleasing commodious Mine. Wm Cousin & co are cutting across from the old Vein to the Flatts, to throw a supply of fresh air into all the workings. Jno Parker & co are driving the horse Level, & Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep Level from the Engine foot, for the reviving all Middlecleugh Veins, by draining them in the deeper Stratums. Please to see last Report.

      Scaleburnmoss Mine is not rich, & employs few hands, on account of the prices being low, but is not much loaded with Dead Work, & will work without loss. Thos Humble & co are driving the horse Level. 

      Middlecleugh Veins are miserably poor & must remain so, until the Smallcleugh Engine Level (already discribed) releive them. Mathw Hall & co are driving the Horse Level in one of the Veins, & Charles Walton & co are driving a Level in another Vein to preserve the Lease.

      Capelcleugh & Hangingshaw Mines are both so poor that neither will work at the present prices, either by Bing or Ton. Robt Dickinson & co are driving a Level which preserves the several Leases from forfeiture, but will shortly be taken to Blackashgill where the trials will be shorter & more effectually releive the same Veins. Jno Hall & co are driving a Level for the relief of Hangingshaw Cross Vein and fair running Vein, & we are obliged to carry on said Level to preserve the Level [sic - mistake for Lease?]. Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss are very poor, but hope they will do better by & by. Thos Indian & co are driving the Horse Level. Wm Teasdale & co are driving the new Level at Loveladyshield but will be sometime before the first Vein will be cut.

      The Garrigill Mines are still poor, though Browngill Sun Vein will raise Ore that will preserve the same from loss. Jas Dickinson & co are Sinking a Sump to try the Vein in a Flatt. Geo Dodd & co are driving the Horse Level at Browngill to preserve the Lease from forfeiture, & occasionally try the Vein. Jos Wanless & co are driving the Horse Level at Tynebottom, to prove both the Vein & Flatts, but are yet short of the object. Isaac Teasdale & co are driving a Level to cut one of the Tynebottom Veins, which is by way of covering the Lease & to try the same for Ore, & if it does not succeed in the course of six months, will be relinquished. Boltshaw does not offer any better prospects. I have said nothing to Hall’s people as yet, for there is great confusion in their concerns in that Country. The new Comp[an]ys begin to see their error & take in. Their expense must have been enormous, & they are beginning to check Frederick in his most unaccountable Mining career, which has put him almost mad. He roves & swears about like a Madman & tells them to break the Engines to pieces. I will keep a look out on the business of Boltshaw & if I can make anything out will inform the Court.

      I shall conclude with observing to the Court, that in letting all Bargains whatever in their Mining concerns, I have gone upon the most frugal plan, both in the Ore Bargains and Dead Work, such as I trust will prove satisfactory to the Court.

      I am, etc,

      Thomas Dodd, Senr