Volume Eleven - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - some more aspects - The Steam Navvy and the Dock Extension of 1883 . . .

During the fall the door the bucket closes and latches itself automatically by its own weight ; the and all is then ready for repeating the operation,

June 1877 - 'Steam Excavating Machine by Dunbar & Ruston.' [1066]

Although apparently somewhat complicated when thus performed in combination, the several movements are each very simple ; and the whole cycle can be performed in less time than has been taken to describe it. Three-quarters of a minute is sufficient for scooping out from 1 to 2½ tons of stuff, according to the capacity of the bucket, for dropping the stuff into the wagon, and for returning the scoop into place ready for another cut .