Report – Thomas Dodd – 29 Apr 1809

Hon. Masters						Nenthead 29. April 1809



	After examining the Sundry parts of the Company’s Mines under my direction, I lett on the 22, 23 & 24 past the Bargains, a list of which is annexed, and which I have no doubt will do well. All the Bargains in the different Mines both for Ore and Dead Work are lett as low as the Nature and Situation of them would admit, and in fact the whole extended concerns are put under the most frugal regulation.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines are both doing well, and working to considerable advantage. John Liverick & co are driving the Horse Level in Rampgill Sun Vein, which prepares the same for raising Ore; Jas. Armstrong & co are driving the Horse Level in Rampgill Old Vein, both these Levels are necessary for preserving the Mine in a proper State of Repair, and coming at the Ore in the Veins with care & facility. Wm. Armstrong & co in Wages are repairing the Engine Shaft and the Water Wheels, which are old, and without repairs now & then, would go into a State of decay. At Scaleburnmoss Jos. Elliott & co are driving the Horse Level in the New Vein, to prepare the Same for raising Ore in the Great Limestone, which is very productive. Matt. Hall & co are driving a Level in the Limestone for the discovery of fresh Veins, and for the effectual working and carrying on the said Mines. Wm. Hall & co are rising from the Horse Level, to try the Vein in the Little Limestone.

	Smallcleugh Mine (especially the Flatts) is still very successful, and is raising very rich Ore to great advantage, and is upon the whole a pleasing concern. Wm. Richardson & co are driving a cross from Smallcleugh Vein to the Flatts, to cut them in fresh Ground. John Patrick & co are driving the deep Level from the bottom of the Engine, as the common Drain to the Mine.

	Middlecleugh Mine will raise Ore to advantage (Please see my last report). Chr. Elliott & co are driving the Horse Level. Thos. Thompson & co are driving a Level under the Great Limestone to drain the Vein of Water. Matt. Cousin & co are sinking a Sump from the Upper to the Horse Level to accommodate the Mine with fresh Air, and to prepare the Vein for trial in the different Stratums between the two Levels. Hangingshaw and Capelcleugh are poor but will work without Loss; at Hangingshaw John Hall & co are driving the Level to open the Vein for trial in the Limestone. At Caplecleugh Robt. Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level, which will shortly enable us to sink into the Great Limestone, and I expect we will meet with a Successful Vein.



	Garrigill Mines are still poor, tho’ from Sundry parts, small parcels of Ore are raised, and the other parts are under trial, yet with proper management will come round again, for it is common with most of Lead Mines to ebb & flow in their Success, and of course persevering, Patience, and proper management are always requisite in carrying on Mineral Concerns. At Browngill Sun Vein, John Smith & co are driving the deep Horse Level, & Wm. Thomason & co are sinking a Sump from an Upper Level to the Deep Level for circulation of Fresh Air, and for trying the Vein in the different Stratums.

	At Tynebottom Isaac Teesdale & co are driving the Horse Level. Jos. Wanless & co are driving a Level to cut a fresh Vein, & Jno. Phillipson & co are Sinking to the Vein in the Great Limestone. There is little alteration with Stanhopeburn Mine since my last report, but the Ore Workings are poor. Thos. Wilkinson & co are driving the deep Level (Please see last report) Jos. Vipond & co are driving an Upper Level which will open some poor Ore Workings in the Great Limestone. At Boltslaw Thos. Bell & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface, to try an upper Stratum in the Vein, and if that fail, the Mine is done.

	Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss Mines are under trial. Hugh Spotswood & co are driving a Level at Broomsberry to cut some fresh Veins, and by continuing the pursuit of the Level, will unwater Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines as well as all the Veins to the Southward belonging to the Company, and will in a few Years put an end to all the expensive Engines in the Company’s Works. Thos. Walton & co are driving the Horse Level at Gudhamgillmoss Mine, to open the Vein for trial, which will in future raise a good deal of Ore. At Ireshopeburn Mine John Kidd & co are driving a Level which keeps the Mine in repair, and will raise Ore to advantage. Agreeable to my Letters of the 3 & 15 Inst. to the Court Middlehope Mine is in a very prosperous state of repair, and will turn up this Year to great advantage and will I trust continue to do so for many Years. Smith Elliott & co are driving the Upper Horse Level, as a proper Communication to all the other workings, as well as a general Circulation of fresh Air thro’ the Mine. Lodgesyke Mine is poorer in the leading workings than for some time past, tho’ is working to very considerable advantage, and no doubt the Fore-End of said Mine will revive again, by the Intersection of Strings, and other natural & co-operating causes. John Pinkney & co are driving the deep Horse Level parallel with the Vein, and prepares the same for raising the Ore either by rising or Sinking into the Vein. Henry Robson & co are driving the Upper Horse Level for similar purposes, as above mention’d. Jas. Bainbridge & co are rising from the deep Level to try the Vein in a Stratum called the Firestone.

	Mannergill is under a fit of Poverty, tho’ raising parcels of Ore to preserve the Mine from Loss, having little Dead Work upon her, and will be conducted with care, till better success come. Chr. Pinkney & co are driving the Horse Level. Wiregill Mine is raising small parcels of Ore, employs few Hands, and, is labouring under Dead Trials, some of which will soon be done and raise Ore, and others will require time, Money, & patience. John Nixon & co are driving the Horse Level. John Leekly & co are rising out of said Level, to try the Vein, and Jos. Schollick & co are sinking a Sump into the deep Level to furnish the Mine with fresh Air. John Watson & co are driving the Level at Flakebrigg.

      I am etc.

      Thos. Dodd Senr.