A NEW DREDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2003, 14 July 1892, Page 14

A NEW DREDGE.

Mr R. Cockerill, of Invercargill, has taken out letters patent for a submarine rotary dredge which he has invented. He submitted to our inspection on Monday a working model, aud explained its mode of working. It is very simple, and seems likely to fulfil the expectation of its inventor. It appears Mr Cockerill designed recently a disc double-furrow plough which was subjected to a severo test at Mr Douglas' Waihao Downs estate. It worked so satisfactorily that its inventor was satisfied that with larger discs it would prove equally as effective as a submarine dredge. There are four large rotary discs underlaid towards each other in pairs. These cut under, gather, and elevate the material to any given height, limited only by the diameter of the discs. The material is lifted on to scoops which are dragged behind each pair of discs, and when these are filled they can be conveyed to Rtiy spot desired, and there discharged by being tilted up. The depth of the cut is regulated by the up and down motion of the frame, which is easily thrown out of gear. This frame ou which the discs are carried is not unlike the frame of a large roller. The great advantages claimed for the dredge are that it can be used in any depth of water from a few feet up to 60fb if required, and is nob affected by rough water. It cau be operated from any ordinary 6teamer, and the scoop on which the material is deposited can be readily loaded or discharged under water. Mr Cockerill is of opinion that for removing bars, or any work of that nature, his latest patent will be found much more efficient and very much cheaper than any process at present in use. He also believes it could effectually cope with the 3hiugle difficulty at Tfinaru. The invontor hopes shortly to be able to find time to turn out a larger working model. It should be stated that he is of opinion that his rotary dredge could bo used for dredging goldbearing wash from tho bottom of many of our rivers.