Aslacton Windmill Explained

Aslacton Windmill
Name Of Mill:Aslacton Mill
Coordinates:52.4686°N 1.1747°W
Operator:Private
Built:1834
Purpose:Corn mill
Type:Tower mill
Storeys:Four storeys
Sail Number:Four sails
Sail Type:Double Patent sails
Winding:Fantail
Fantail Blades:Six blades
Auxpower:Steam engine, later replaced by an oil engine
Pairs Of Millstones:Two pairs

Aslacton Mill is a Grade II listed tower mill at Aslacton, Norfolk, England which is derelict.

History

Aslacton Mill was probably built in 1834,[1] although there was a mill in Aslacton as early as 1751.[2] Benjamin Gibson is the first recorded miller and the mill was owned by Barnabas Burroughes from 1872 until his death on 18 December 1899. The mill passed to his widow and after her death on 4 August 1903,[1] the mill was offered for sale by auction at the Railway Inn, Tivetshall on 25 August 1903. The top bid of £350 was below the reserve price, so the mill remained unsold.[2] The mill was sold in October 1903 to Samuel Fickling. He died in March 1913, leaving the mill to his widow. On her death in May 1915 the mill passed to their son Arthur Robinson Fickling, who sold it to Selina Herring in October 1915 for £400. The mill was sold to John Colchester in 1929. The sails were removed c1930 and the mill worked by steam engine. Colchester worked the mill by steam engine,[1] and then an oil engine,[2] until 1938.[1] The derelict tower still stands, containing some machinery.

Description

Aslacton mill is a four storey tower mill which had a boat shaped cap winded by a six bladed fantail. It had four double Patent sails and drove two pairs of millstones. Unusually, these were driven overdrift by wind and underdrift by engine. The tower is about 33feet from base to curb level. The upright shaft and great spur wheel for the engine drive remain in situ.[2]

Millers

Reference for above:-[1] [2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aslacton towermill . Norfolk Mills . 23 June 2009.
  2. Book: Apling, Harry. 1984. Norfolk Corn Windmills, Volume 1. 214–16. The Norfolk Windmills Trust. Norfolk Windmills Trust. Norwich. 0-9509793-0-9.