I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for light vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes and other vessels without navigation as their main function, floating docks, and drilling platforms for those countries serving the world market via exports or supplying from various countries via imports.
Combined, Chapters 3 and 4 present the complete picture for imports and exports of light vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes and other vessels without navigation as their main function, floating docks, and drilling platforms to and from all major countries in the world.
The SITC code that defined "light vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes and other vessels without navigation as their main function, floating docks, and drilling platforms" is 7935.
The first steam-powered bucket dredger on the canal was built in 1849, when the accumulated silt had reduced the depth of water from 18ft to only 14ft, and large ships had to have some of their cargo discharged at Sharpness before navigating the canal.
This original dredger was quite adequate for the routine work of maintaining a depth of 18ft in the canal, but the construction of the new dock at Sharpness with a maximum depth of 24ft highlighted the need for a dredger with a greater capability.
The old Witham dredger was also in a bad way, and as there was a need for a lot of dredging at Sharpness in connection with the construction of a new quay wall, another dredger capable of dredging to 28ft was purchased from the Bristol Docks Committee in November 1896.