Upminster Windmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upminster Windmill |
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The mill in September 2012.
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| Origin | |
| Mill name | Abraham's Mill Upminster Mill |
| Grid reference | TQ 557 867 |
| Coordinates | 51°33′29″N 0°14′42″E / 51.558°N 0.2451°E |
| Operator(s) | Friends of Upminster Windmill |
| Year built | 1803 |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Four-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Single-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight sides |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Six blades |
| Auxiliary power | steam engine |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Four pairs |
| Size of millstones | Two pairs 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) diameter Two pairs 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) diameter. |
Upminster Windmill is a special old building, known as a Grade II* listed structure. It is a type of smock mill found in Upminster, which is part of the London Borough of Havering, England. When it was first built, this area was part of Essex. This windmill was once called Abraham's Mill. Today, it has been carefully fixed up and is open to visitors as a museum at certain times.
Contents
The Windmill's Story: A Look Back in Time
There was a windmill in Upminster even before 1803. But the mill we see today was built in 1803 for James Nokes. He owned Hunt's Farm and built the mill on land from his brother's farm.
Early Days and Power Changes
When it was new, the mill had four simple sails. These sails helped turn three pairs of large grinding stones. These stones were used to grind corn into flour.
In 1811, something new was added: a steam engine. This engine helped power two more pairs of grinding stones. Adding the steam engine made the mill much more valuable. Soon, a fourth pair of grinding stones was added to the mill.
Changes in Ownership and Accidents
James Nokes passed away in 1838, and his son Thomas took over the mill. By 1849, the mill had five pairs of grinding stones. It was a very busy place! By 1856, the mill could power six pairs of stones using both wind and steam.
In 1857, Thomas Abraham bought the mill. He had worked for the Nokes family before. In 1876, a part inside the mill called the Upright Shaft broke. It was fixed with a strong metal piece.
Lightning, New Parts, and Becoming a Museum
Thomas Abraham died in 1882, and his nephew, John Arkell Abraham, became the owner. In 1889, the mill was hit by lightning! Then, in 1900, the main shaft holding the sails snapped, and the sails crashed down.
A new shaft from another mill was brought in, and four new sails were put on. After John Arkell Abraham died, his nephews took over. In 1927, more repairs were done, including fixing the fantail, which helps the mill face the wind.
The mill stopped working for business in 1934. It was bought by W H Simmonds. The steam engine parts were sold, and the old buildings around the mill fell apart. Later, in the late 1930s, Essex County Council bought the mill. In 1955, it was officially recognized as a special historic building.
Recent Repairs and Preservation
In 2004, a group called the Upminster Windmill Preservation Trust took over the mill's care. They have a long lease to look after it. In 2007, strong winds damaged one of the sails. New sails were put on in 2008, helping to keep the mill looking good.
What the Upminster Windmill Looks Like
The Upminster Windmill is a "smock mill." This means it has a tall, wooden, tower-like body that looks a bit like a farmer's smock (a loose coat). It stands on a strong brick base.
The mill has four main levels in its wooden body. There's also a platform on the first floor. The top of the mill, called the cap, is shaped like a boat. It has a walkway around it and is turned by a six-bladed fantail. Four large sails, called Patent sails, are attached to a strong metal shaft. The mill is about 52 feet (15.8 meters) tall to the top of its cap.
The Brick Base
The base of the mill is made of brick. It is about 24 feet 9 inches (7.5 meters) wide and 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 meters) tall. The brick walls are very thick at the bottom, getting a bit thinner higher up.
The Smock Body
The main wooden body, or smock, has four levels. The strong wooden posts that form its frame are very long. The different floors inside the smock get smaller as they go up, from about 27 feet 9 inches (8.5 meters) wide at the bottom to 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide at the very top.
The Cap and Fantail
The boat-shaped cap on top is quite large. It's thought that a mill builder named William Bear made this cap. It's special because it has a walkway, or gallery, on the outside. The fantail has six wooden blades. It helps turn the cap so the sails always face the wind. You can even see the year 1799 carved on a wooden beam under the fantail.
Sails and Windshaft
The main metal shaft that holds the sails is called the windshaft. It's made of cast iron and has a unique shape because it came from a different type of mill. This shaft was brought to Upminster in 1899 after the original one broke.
The windshaft holds a large wheel called the Brake Wheel. This wheel is about 10 feet 4 inches (3.1 meters) wide and has 78 teeth. It's a mix of metal arms and wooden parts.
Originally, the Upminster Windmill had simple canvas sails. But later, it used "Patent sails." These sails were very long, about 70 feet (21.3 meters) across. They were designed to be more efficient. Each sail had many small wooden shutters that could be opened or closed to control the wind's power. There were 288 shutters in total!
Inside the Mill: The Machinery
Inside the mill, a large wooden shaft, called the Upright Shaft, connects the top of the mill to the grinding stones below. It's made of two parts and has twelve sides.
At the top of the Upright Shaft is a wheel called the Wallower. At the bottom, a very large wheel called the Great Spur Wheel turns. This wheel is 10 feet (3 meters) wide and has 126 teeth. It drives four pairs of grinding stones.
The mill has different types of grinding stones. Three pairs are "French Burr" stones, and one pair is "Peak" stones. Two pairs of stones are 4 feet 6 inches (1.4 meters) wide, and the other two pairs are 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide.
The Steam Engine's Role
A steam engine was once located in a brick building next to the windmill. This engine helped power two pairs of grinding stones and other machinery, like a sack hoist for lifting bags of grain. The steam engine was taken out in 1940. The building where it was located was removed in 1960.
Who Owned and Ran the Mill?
Here are some of the people who owned and operated Upminster Windmill over the years:
- James Nokes 1803–1838
- Thomas Nokes 1838–1849
- Thomas Abraham 1857–1882
- John Arkell Abraham 1882–1912
- Thomas, Alfred and Clement Abraham 1912–1934
Where to Find the Windmill
The Upminster Windmill is located in a small open area called Windmill Field. This area is looked after by Havering Council. You can find it on St Mary's Lane. The closest train stations are Upminster Bridge tube station and Upminster station. From the top of the windmill, you can see famous London landmarks like Canary Wharf and the transmitter at Crystal Palace.
Images for kids
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The mill in September 2012.
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The cap, fantail and sails in June 2006.
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The Brake Wheel and Wallower
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The universal joint in the Upright Shaft
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The Compass Arm Great Spur Wheel
