Westwood Marshes Mill, Walberswick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westwood Marshes Mill, Walberswick |
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The mill in 2008
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| Origin | |
| Coordinates | 52°18′18″N 1°38′57″E / 52.30500°N 1.64917°E |
| Operator(s) | Private |
| Year built | Late 18th century |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Drainage mill, Corn mill |
| Type | Tower mill |
| Storeys | Three storeys |
| No. of sails | Four Sails |
| Type of sails | Common sails |
| Windshaft | Cast Iron |
| Winding | Tailpole |
| No. of pairs of millstones | One pair |
| Type of pump | Scoop wheel |
Westwood Marshes Mill is an old tower mill located in Walberswick, Suffolk, England. It is a special building, listed as Grade II, but it is currently not working and is in ruins. Mills like this used the power of wind to do important jobs, like draining water from the land or grinding grain.
The Mill's Story: From Work to Ruins
Westwood Marshes Mill was built a long time ago, in the late 1700s. It might have been built in 1798. This mill used wind power to do its work until 1940.
During World War II, the mill was unfortunately damaged. It was used for target practice, which caused harm to its structure.
After the war, in the 1950s, people tried to fix the mill. However, in October 1960, a fire badly damaged it. Since then, the mill has remained standing, but it is still in a ruined state.
How the Mill Worked: Inside and Out
Westwood Marshes Mill is a tower mill with three floors. It had a special cap on top that looked a bit like a boat. This cap could be turned to face the wind using a long pole called a tailpole and a winch. This system was similar to how some other mills, like the one at Herringfleet, worked.
The mill had four large sails that caught the wind. These sails were connected to a strong iron shaft inside the mill. When the wind turned the sails, it made this shaft spin.
Inside, the spinning shaft turned a large wooden wheel called a brake wheel. This wheel then turned another wooden wheel, which was part of a tall wooden shaft that went down through the mill.
Near the bottom, this upright shaft turned a metal gear. This gear then connected to a large wooden axle. On this axle was a big metal scoop wheel with wooden paddles. This scoop wheel was used to lift and drain water from the surrounding marshes.
The mill also had a pair of millstones. These heavy stones were used to grind grain, making feed for horses on the estate where the mill was located. After the fire, only the lower part of the main shaft, the large gear, and the scoop wheel remained.
Images for kids
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The mill in 2008
