Report – William Crawhall to Martin Morrison – 9 Jul 1814

Midsummer Bargains 1814	Allenheads Mines



       The Mines at this place have not been so productive after the last quarter as I expected they would have been, from the appearance they had when I let the Ladyday Bargains. The principal failure has been the leading Forehead in Wentworth Vein, for five fathoms driving the Vein produced no Ore of any consequence but I am glad to inform you the Vein is now much richer of Ore & likely to produce a considerable quantity the ensuing quarter from the flats to the North of the Vein.

       From the present appearance of the Mines in general at this place I expect there will be as much Ore raised in the ensuing quarter, as has been in any of the previous quarters. Wentworth Vein in the East forehead is richer of Ore than it hitherto has been, & is driving at 32s per Bing by 8 Men, & the length west is wrought by 8 Men at 35s per Bing the 2nd length by 8 Men at 32s per B[in]g & the third length from the forehead raising Ore by 8 Men at 28s per Bing, the back Workings in this Vein are considerably poorer than they were last quarter many being wrought out; there are now 6 Men raising Ore at 38s per B[in]g: 18 Men at 40s. 4 Men at 30s & 8 Men at 42s per Bing.

The Workings in the Old Vein are much the same as last quarter & employ 8 p[ar]tner[sh]ips, all at the high price of 42s per Bing & 1 p[ar]tner[sh]ip at 40s per Bing. The Workings in the Old Flatts at West End are very poor, only employing 1 p[ar]tner[sh]ip of 6 Men & the Ore they raise is principally got by opening out old workings and ridding deads. The West End of Diana Vein is very promising, the length driving out of the foremost Sump is wrought by 8 Men at 34s per Bing & after being holed to the next length, & a free communication for Air, I expect will work at a lower price, the length of d[itt]o is wrought by 6 Men at 30s per Bing, the back workings in Diana Vein are poor & wrought by one p[ar]tners[hi]p of 8 Men at 40s per B[in]g & five p[ar]tners[hi]ps of 6 Men each at 42s per Bing.

Swinhopehead Level is driving will all speed, we have got 21 fathoms driven last quarter by 8 Men, & had it all to wall, and we now expect the low Level will stand without walling; if so there will be more ground driven this quarter than last. We have tried the Vein in the Little Limestone at the Level head which carries no Ore, the p[ar]tners[hi]p that tried the Vein is now sinking another Shaft before the Level forehead which will be down by the time the Level is driven to hole into it. High Swinhope head is now very productive of Ore having one P[ar]tners[hi]p of 8 Men raising Ore at 35s per Bing, & a P[ar]tners[hi]p of 6 Men driving a drift at 42s per Bing, & have no doubt but in a little time we will be able to employ as many more men in raising Ore.

I remain Sir etc.

Wm. Crawhall

Allenheads July 9th. 1814