Model of a dredger

anonymous, c. 1800

Dutch rivers and harbours constantly silt up as a result of sand carried in the water building up on the riverbed or harbour floor. Regular dredging is required to prevent waterways from becoming too shallow. Around 1800 much of this dredging was done by horse-driven mills. These ‘horse mills’ drove a chain with dippers that scooped up the mud and silt. On the front deck of this model are the stalls for the horses.

  • Artwork typeship model, demonstration model
  • Object numberNG-MC-28
  • Dimensionsheight 40 cm x width 69 cm x depth 38 cm
  • Physical characteristicswood, brass and rope

anonymous

Model of a Dredger

Netherlands, c. 1800

Conservation

  • Richard Schoevaart, juni 1998: cleaned; woodworm treatment; retouched

Provenance

...; transferred from the Ministerie van Marine (Department of the Navy), The Hague, to the museum, 1883

Object number: NG-MC-28

Entry

Wooden construction model of a covered, horse-powered chain dredger.

The horse mill, which is situated on the aft deck, drives the belt via cogwheels and a winch below deck for the anchor cable, which is used for traction. A large vertically placed wheel with pulleys controls the depth of the dredge. The upper part of the dredge surfaces in the middle of the horse mill and the mud is led off to a gully at the back. The stables and pump are situated on the foredeck.

The innovation of this design lay in the improved positioning of the horse mill, which enabled the use of gearwork without the long transmission axle, like the one on model NG-MC-27.

Similar models are in the collections of D. Hudwig & Co, Rotterdam,1G. Doorman, ‘Hollandse oude baggermolens’, De Ingenieur 38 (1951), pp. 1-5. the Nationaal Baggermuseum in Sliedrecht2Sliedrecht, Nationaal Baggermuseum, inv. no. M0216. and the Science Museum in London.3London, Science Museum, inv. no. 1946-90.

Literature

J.M. Obreen, Catalogus der verzameling modellen van het Departement van Marine, The Hague 1858, no. 28; G. Doorman, ‘Hollandse oude baggermolens’, De Ingenieur 38 (1951), pp. 1-5; C. Singer et al. (eds.), A History of Technology, 5 vols., Oxford 1957-58, vol. 4, p. 639; R.M. Haubourdin et al., De physique existentie dezes lands. Jan Blanken, inspecteur-generaal van de waterstaat (1755-1838), exh. cat. Amsterdam (Rijksmuseum) 1987, no. 72; A.J. Hoving, ‘Aandrijving door spierkracht’, Scheepshistorie 10 (2010), pp. 14-31

Citation

J. van der Vliet, 2016, 'anonymous, Model of a Dredger, Netherlands, c. 1800', in J. van der Vliet and A. Lemmers (eds.), Navy Models in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: https://data.rijksmuseum.nl/200314891

(accessed 11 December 2025 22:00:44).

Footnotes

  • 1G. Doorman, ‘Hollandse oude baggermolens’, De Ingenieur 38 (1951), pp. 1-5.
  • 2Sliedrecht, Nationaal Baggermuseum, inv. no. M0216.
  • 3London, Science Museum, inv. no. 1946-90.