St Margaret's Bay Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Margaret's Bay Windmill |
|
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Mill location | St Margaret's at Cliffe, Kent |
| Grid reference | TR 363 436 |
| Coordinates | 51°8′31.5″N 1°22′35″E / 51.142083°N 1.37639°E |
| Year built | 1929 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Electricity generation |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Single-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight-sided |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Double Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Six blades |
| Other information | Last new build traditional windmill in Kent. |
St Margaret's Bay Windmill is a special type of windmill called a Smock mill. It is located on South Foreland, which is the most southeastern part of England. This windmill was built in 1929. Its main job was to make electricity for the house it was attached to. The house stands high up on the famous White Cliffs of Dover.
Contents
History of St Margaret's Bay Windmill
Building the Windmill in 1929
The windmill was built for a person named Sir William Bearswell. It was constructed by a company called Holman's. They were expert millwrights from Canterbury. Millwrights are people who design, build, and repair windmills. The windmill started making electricity in June 1929.
The Mill During World War II
The windmill stopped making electricity in 1939. This happened because its dynamo was taken out. A dynamo is a machine that turns movement into electricity. During the Second World War, the windmill was used by a special group. This group was part of the WRNS. The WRNS was a branch of the British Navy for women.
Repairs and Upkeep of the Windmill
In 1969, some important repairs were done to the windmill. Two millwrights, Vincent Pargeter and Philip Lennard, did this work. They put in a new fantail. A fantail is a small windmill at the back that keeps the main sails facing the wind. They also fixed the main sails of the windmill.
What Does St Margaret's Bay Windmill Look Like?
St Margaret's Bay Windmill is a three-storey smock mill. It sits on a single-storey brick base. It has four large patent sails. These sails are special because they can adjust themselves to the wind. A fantail helps the mill turn to face the wind. The windmill used to make electricity with a dynamo. Today, the windmill is used as a home. It has always been a home, even when it was making electricity.
