Report – William Crawhall to Martin Morrison – 30 Dec 1817

      Coalcleugh Mines



      In general are poor with the exception of two workings in South Vein at East -end, the foremost length opened in this Vein mentioned in last quarter's Report is not so rich now, but likely to produce a considerable quantity of Ore; is now wrought by 8 Men at 20/pBing and this Vein is cut at east end of this length in cross-cut named in last Report and have the forehead driving eastward by 8 Men at 20/pBing and from what we have yet opened the Vein does not appear to be so rich as the length west has been but have seen little into it only having cut the Vein a week before Xmas, there is about 100 fam. of whole ground from this Vein forehead Westward to Cross dyke which I have little doubt of carrying Ore. – 

      The Cross Vein to North has raised Ore tolerably well  last quarter and from present appearance is more flattering for the coming, being considerably softer better's ? drive.- all the other old workings in Flats at west end are very poor and some nearly wrought out, nothing new has been discovered, causes the Men to continue their old workings whom I am apprehensive will not be able to earn their subsistence money at the present price per Bing. - the great cross dyke at east end is not yet cut through, I can give you no more information respecting it than in the previous reports.

      The Ore Bargains at East end consist of 16 Men at 20/ pBing as above mentioned and 57 Men at 30/pBing,- at the West end 53 Men raising Ore at 30/ pBing and in the top sills 11 Men raising Ore at 30/pBing.

      Bateshill raising no Ore, have driven the Level at random of high flat in great Limestone 10 fathoms, without producing any Ore, and have 6 Men sinking from high flat to low drift in bottom of great Limestone, and 4 Men trying the Coalsills above great Limestone who find no Ore and I think the prospect bad, but if any further trials are to be made, now is the best time when the Shafts and other conveniences are all in good repair.

      Keirsley Row Mine raising no Ore, and am prevented making further trials in Cross vein mentioned in last Report, in consequence of the Level running together for near 30 fathoms, caused by a <creese in the Level Sole> and am under the necessity of driving as much new Level. – 

      Hartley Cleugh, is extremely poor, the south Level forehead has been driven 25 fms last quarter and is continued by 8 Men; the Strata does not appear to be any sounder; and if the Limestone does not <flect> on again in the course of driving 40 or  50fms further I think the prospect of finding the Ore very doubtful at the South end.  The North Levels are going on but produce no Ore and I also think the prospect very bad in this end; the Old Workings are nearly wrought out; the Ore bargains are 4 Men raising Ore at 30/ pBing.

      I am sorry I cannot give you so favourable a Report of the Mines in West Allen below Coalcleugh as I could wish.  If there is nothing new discovered in the course of this Year will not be able to keep the number of Men employed to advantage. - 

                                                  William Crawhall