Image
The earliest dredges were spoon dredges – a leather or canvas bag tied around an iron loop attached to a pole (1). The spoon was dragged towards the bow by a winch (2) then lifted and the contents dumped into a sluice box (3). A pump (4) driven by a waterwheel (5) provided water for washing the gravel in the sluice box.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Tyree Studio Collection (PAColl-3064)
Reference: 10x8-0503; G
by John Barry
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.