This is a model of a small river dredger which is used to dredge out spoil, washed into navigation channels by rivers and their tributaries. The elevator dredge with its endless chain of small buckets transports the material via chutes into river barges which then carry the gravel off. The original dredger, which is no longer in use, was operated by a steam engine. Fifteen people were required to man it when in operation.
