Flagbeetles and Bears

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KAS
Posts: 1
Joined: 10 Jan 2020, 15:24

Flagbeetles and Bears

Post by KAS »

I am looking for information on two tools that were used in Fenland c. 1775.

One was called a "flagbeetle"", which from the context of my source could be a tool for flattening the bed or bank of a river or dyke. Does anyone know what it looked like or its precise use?

The other is a "Bear". Again from the context, this was an efficient way to remove weed from the bed of a river. This may have been a pincer type of instrument, but it was a large tool and may have needed horse power to use. The material it removed was known as bear dirt. Can anyone offer any more information?

Many thanks,
KAS

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