real time web analytics
Norfolk's wind pumps..July-December 2020 | Industrial Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Norfolk's wind pumps..July-December 2020

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

Mikeymutt🐶

28DL Regular User
Regular User
I always try to document as much of my home county's fading history when I get spare days at the weekend. I have covered the railways and most of the military stuff here. So thought I would try and document the wind pumps. So I have selected a variety of them to look at. Some were nice and easy to get too, but others were long walks or fighting through reeds and brambles to get too. If you have ever driven down the ache straight to Great Yarmouth you could be mistaken that you are in Holland with the land flat for miles around. Along the landscape is lots of wind pumps, often mistaken for windmills. These pumps were built to drain the flat fields, the water would drain into dykes and the pumps would push the water in to the broads or the rivers. Or they would drain the marshes and the water would be pushed into large dykes. Some of these date back to the 17th century and were originally wind powered, later on they would have diesel, electric and even steam powered. The wind would move the sails which was basically a turbine powered by wind. This would turn gearing on the upper floor and this in turn would move a vertical shaft that would power cogs on the ground to either drive an eternal or internal wheel. Well that's what I could work out whilst looking at them. I really need to visit a restored working one to see how it all goes properly.

BOYCE'S MILL

Can't find too much on this mill, it was originally a three storey one, but like so many it was reduced to two storeys after the removal of the wooden cap and sails. I had done some digging and it seems it was constructed in 1770. It was later converted to steam powered and the remains of the steam engine shed is still there adjoining the wind pump. The mill race what the scoop would sit in is still whole.

887242


887243


887244


887245


887246


887247


887248


887249


887250


887251


887252


887253


887254


887255



LIMPENHOE MILL

So this was one I had seen old pics of and fancied it due to some old machinery remaining inside, so i took the long walk to it. Upon approaching it I was disappointed to see that the door has had bricks relaid were the hole was, same with the windows. Well I guess it stops it getting vandalised or the weather getting to it quicker which ain't a bad thing. But it was a pleasant day and a nice walk, and the wind pump is nice and still hadn't he original a coop wheel on it which was good. The mill was constructed in 1831 on the banks of the river yare. It was built by millwright William Thorold, and was paid for by each person who owned some of the marshland. Cost would be judged on how many acres they owned.

887256


887257


887258


887259


887260


887261


887262



LUDHAM BRIDGE NORTH MILL

This was one of two of two mills near Ludham bridge, the other tower was demolished to make way for a mooring. Built in 1887 it was a rare pump that it had anti clockwise sails to pump the water directly into the river. It suffered gale damage in the 1910's and can imagine it was never repaired. Quite unique this one as well that it was used as a watch tower, then converted in to a pill box during the Second World War. The gun apertures have been built nicely into the existing brickwork. There is also a spigot mortar base hidden in the bushes which was nice to see. This pilbox would have provided defence from an attack up the river.

887270


887263


887264


887265


887266


887267


887268


887269


TBC
 

Mikeymutt🐶

28DL Regular User
Regular User
OBY MILL

This mill was the oldest remains mill on the broads and is grade two listed. The mill built in 1753 and drained water from the marshes into the river. Not only did the cog system power the scoop but it powered a saw in the shed for work on the estate. There was also an auxiliary engine to power a turbine that would help drain the marshes during very wet times. I liked this one even though the mill was sealed. The shed with the remaining wheel and plinths was good enough for me.

887294


887295


887297


887288


887289


887290


887291


887292


887293


TUNSTALL DYKE MILL

This mill was prob the hardest to get too. Surrounded by a deep moat I nearly gave up. But then saw what looked like a thin bit of path I could get to it. But it was overhead height in brambles and reeds. So carefully making a path through twenty mins later I was in. And just seeing the big wheel inside was worth it. I really can't find much in this one but it did have a house next to it. It's one of two in close proximity. And this was the North mill.
887298


887299


887301


887306


887305


887304


887303


887302


887300


TUNSTALL SMOCK MILL

This mill is a few feet from the other one on the other side of the Dyke. It's the only smock mill on the broads. It's wooden cladding is quite pretty despite the mill been taken down in height. This was another fight with reeds and brambles but nowhere near as bad as the last one. I was surprised when I found an open door at the back. And the remains of an electrical pump system and was even more surprised to get in the windmill itself through a right gap.

887308


887310


887317


887316


887315


887314


887313


887309


887312


887311


TBC
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    218.5 KB · Views: 29

Mikeymutt🐶

28DL Regular User
Regular User
MOYS MILL

This mill was a tiny one. Reduced to one level it's was small inside as it was filled with a diesel generator what was still working in the mid 2000's. So in side was quite grimy. Not sure when this one was built but pre 1900. The diesel generator was added at at a much later date to replace the sails. The diesel engine would have powered a turbine to drain the water. A tragedy happened here on good Friday in 1913 when a young eight year old girl was killed trying to rescue her younger brother who had fell in the pit whilst the mill was working. The boy survived but was very badly injured.

887343


887342


887341


887340


887339


887338


887337


887336


887335


STOKESBY HALL MILL

Another nice walk to this mill, on a nice winters afternoon. The mill is stripped but a plinth site in there still and is,sinking sideways. But at the back is,the remains of a marshmans cottage. Most off these mills had a cottage. And it's nice to see one even though it's a collapsed shell. It would have been a beautiful thatched cottage once. I can imagine it was a lonely life but quite peaceful, maybe a bit cold in the winter months. Stokesby pump was built in the 1900's and would have pumped water into the river Bite from the northern fields. The sails on here would be cloth and timber framed.

887334


887333


887332


887331


887330


887329


887328


887327


The remains of the cottage.

887326


887325


887324


887323


887322


887321


887320


887319


Thanks for looking. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. But I quite enjoyed hunting them out and will continue looking for them.
 

chills

Queller of the uprising
Moderator
Nice to see something a bit different on the site, and equally, to see how they all differ! Would love to see some original historical photos to top this off! Especially liking that mill covered in ivy on the island, that cog and workings look nice! Great job and awaiting more! ✌
 

Mikeymutt🐶

28DL Regular User
Regular User
Nice to see something a bit different on the site, and equally, to see how they all differ! Would love to see some original historical photos to top this off! Especially liking that mill covered in ivy on the island, that cog and workings look nice! Great job and awaiting more! ✌
Thank you very much. Funny you say about old pics. I was going to post an old pic of one of each place then changed my mind. The island one was beautiful and so worth the hassle to get too. Fairly dark in that one though.
 
Last edited:

chills

Queller of the uprising
Moderator
Thank you very much. Funny you say about old pics. I was going to post an airman of one of each place then changed my mind. The island one was beautiful and so worth the hassle to get too. Fairly dark in that one though.

In my mind a little historical picture goes along nicely, totally upto you how you format and what you add to your report! Nonetheless, a good job! :thumb
 

urbanchemist

28DL Regular User
Regular User
Really like these - it's rare to find wind-powered mills with anything at all inside, and there's quite a bit here.

I agree with the previous comment about old photos if you have them - would like to see what a 'scoop' looked like.
 

Who has read this thread (Total: 354) View details

Top