Report – Thomas Dodd – 18 Feb 1809

Document Type: Report
Date: 18 Feb 1809
Correspondent: Thomas Dodd
Archive Source: NEIMME LLC 40
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Hon. Masters						Nenthead 18 Febry. 1809



	After a general Examination of the Gov. & Co’s. Mineral Concerns under my Direction, I lett on the 10, 11 & 12 past, the Sundry Bargains of which a List is annex’d. 

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines are raising Ore in a Successful & advantageous Way, and though I was under the necessity of raising the prices for the poorest of the Pickings (as recently explain’d to the Court) yet I have lett the most productive parts as low as possible, as well as the Dead Work, and all attendant Expenses whatever, are put upon the most frugal plan I am capable of. At Rampgill, Emman. Nattrass & co are driving the Horse Level in one of the Sun Veins, which prepares the Vein for raising Ore as they advance. Wm. Hall & co are driving another Horse Level for the same purpose, but in a different part of the Vein.

	John Patrick & co are cutting a Cross to the South of all Rampgill Veins, and Strings, for the Discovery of more Veins. John Liverick & co are driving in a part of the Sun Vein, where I expect the Intersection of some Bings to make it more successful. At Scaleburnmoss, Jos. Elliott & co are driving in an unsuccessful part of the Vein, to drain the Great Limestone, where a good deal of Ore will be got. Matth[e]w Hall & co are driving the Horse Level, as a general Waygate for bringing out the Ore, and Rubbish, as well as proving the Success of the Mine as they go on. John Eels & co are driving an upper Level which is necessary for laying the Vein open for trial in the Coal Sills, and upper part of the Great Limestone. Smallcleugh Mine continues to do well, especially the five foremost Bargains in the List of said Mine, which raise more than 3/4 of the Ore, the other parts are poorer, and some of them mere pickings required an advance of price in two or three places. Wm. Richardson & co are driving a Cross to cut out the Flatts in a fresh and unexplored part, where we expect a good deal of Ore. Jacob Stobbart & co are sinking a Sump or Pit from the Horse Level to make a Communication for Air between the Horse Level and the deep Level driven from the bottom of the Engine, as well as to drain the water off the Vein into the latter.

	Middlecleugh, consisting of several Veins, all of which are considerably exhausted, requires in general the highest prices, and without which they could not be carried on; yet under proper management and care will work to advantage. Thos. Lee & co are driving a deep Level under the Great Limestone as a general Drain to the Mine, which is excessive hard and bad to move.

	Matth[e]w Cousin & co are driving one of the Horse Levels, and Jos. Henderson & co another, both of which are calculated to promote the Success of the Mine by making fresh Cuts into the Veins in different places. Hangingshaw Cross Vein is nothing but poor pickings, and will not work under the highest prices, yet will work to profit, having little dead Expense upon the Mine and the Ore is of the best quality. John Hall & co are driving the principal Level in a part of the Vein, and in the direction of the Flatts dropping down from Small Cleugh. At Caplecleugh Robt. Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level. All the Garrigill Mines and Tynebottom are poor, and none of them can be wrought without high prices, yet none of them while the Lead Markets look up can with propriety be abandoned.

	At Browngill Sun Vein, John Smith & co are driving the Horse Level. Wm. Thomason & co are opening & repairing an upper Level, both to open a Communication for fresh Air with the Horse Level, by sinking between, and also trying the Vein in the Sundry Stratums. At Tynebottom, Jos. Wanless & co are driving a Level in the Side of a Mountain, to try a fresh Vein in the Stratums near the Surface. Isaac Teasdale & co are driving the Horse Level. Those who are in Wages at some of the Mines are repairing Levels, Shafts and Sumps, which, if not attended, often go into Decay.

	Respecting Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss Mines, I beg leave to refer the Court to my last report. In my Letter to the Court on the 21 past, I informed them that Middlehope was doing great things. Indeed I never think of that Mine but with the utmost pleasure, and it will certainly prove a considerable Source of Profit for many Years to come, though it must be allow’d that all Mines are fluctuating, and that the fairest prospects are often blasted by unforeseen Circumstances, but the sight of a good Mine is animating, and opens every Spring of Hope in the Mind of Miners. Geo. Hill & co are cutting a Cross to a fresh String, and will shortly raise Ore.

	Ireshopeburn is poor, but will work without loss. John Kidd & co are driving the deep Level. Stanhopeburn Mine is poor, but the deep Level will by and by come up with some of the principal Veins, and I trust in a few Years the Expense will be refunded. Thos. Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Level. Jos. Vipond & co are driving an upper Level in order to come at some Flatts, where we shall get some Ore. I have already given the Court my Sentiments respecting Boltslaw, and see no reason to vary, but I hope the Court will give me instructions on that Subject at a proper time. Lodgesyke Mine is poorer than last quarter, the near workings in the upper Stratums being much exhausted, yet the Mine will do well. Henry Robson & co and John Pinkney & co are driving the two Horse Levels in the Side of the Mountain, parallel with the Vein, the one about 22 Fa. above the other, between which, Sumps will frequently be Sunk, as necessary communications for Fresh Air, and for trying the Vein in the Stratums between the Levels.

	Mannergill is poor, consisting of floor pickings, but as there is little dead Expense, I trust the Mine will be kept from loss this Year. Chr. Pinkney & co are driving a Horse Level to redeem the foremost part of the Mine, which I have reason to believe will raise a good Deal of Ore, but the workings were suffer’d to get out of repair, and run together, and fill with Water, and Rubbish, before I first went to Teesdale, and which has been much the Custom in former Years in Teesdale, and I am confident there is no mining Country in which Mines have been worse conducted.

	Wiregill is at present extremely poor, John Leekly & co are rising out of the deep Level into the Old Soles or Bottoms, to drain the Vein of Water, which will soon be done, and raise Ore. Geo. Allison & co are sinking a Shaft into the Horse Level, for the benefit of fresh Air, and will soon be done. Jos. Schollick & co are driving the deep Horse Level, and John Nixon & co are driving a Horse Level in the Vein, which will unwater the Same 10 Fa. deeper than that part of the Vein which raised so great a quantity of Ore in 1805 and will by and by raise a considerable quantity more. John Watson & co are driving the deep Level at Flakebrigg.

	I have not yet heard of the Gunpowder, which the Court said was ordered.

      I am etc

      Thomas Dodd  Senr.

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The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467