Note 362 — AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PHINEAS PETT (continued 2)

The 'scavel' was a small spade used for digging clay, etc., as in forming drains. The scavelmen were dockyard labourers whose duty it was to clean and pump out the docks. The name, which disappeared after 1844, probably on the introduction of steam pumping machinery, was no doubt a survival from the time when the 'dock' was formed of piling, wattles, and clay, which was placed round the ship when she had been brought to the shore, or across the mouth of the creek into which she had been hauled, and which had to be dug away in 'opening the dock.'