Chislet Windmill Explained

Chislet Windmill
Gbgridref:TR 224 679
Coordinates:51.3666°N 1.1939°W
Built:1744
Purpose:Corn mill
Type:Smock mill
Storeys:Three-storey smock
Base Storeys:Low base of only a few courses
Smock Sides:Eight-sided
Sail Number:Four
Sail Type:Spring sails
Winding:Fantail
Fantail Blades:Six blades
Pairs Of Millstones:Three pairs
Lost:2005

Chislet windmill was a Grade II listed smock mill in Chislet, Kent, England. It was built in 1744 and burnt down on 15 October 2005.[1]

History

The earliest record of a mill at Chislet is from 1666.[2] Chislet windmill was built in 1744.[3] It was marked on Murdoch Mackenzie's map of 1774[4] and the 1819-43 Ordnance Survey map and subsequent maps. The mill was working until 1916, when the cap and sails blew off in a gale,[5] it is said that the fantail was tied up by the tenant of the Mill House and thus was unable to turn the mill into wind, thus leading to the mill being tailwinded.[4] During the Second World War, Barnes Wallis lived in the Mill House, and watched the tests of the bouncing bomb at nearby Reculver from the top of the mill.[2] The corrugated iron clad tower of the mill, with a simple roof over and retaining its major machinery stood until 15 October 2005 when it was destroyed by fire.[1]

In 2011, a replica mill was built on the site of the old mill as part of a new house.[6]

Description

Chislet windmill was a three-storey black smock mill on a low brick base, with four spring sails. The mill was winded by a fantail.[5] The mill drove three pairs of millstones. The Wallower, Upright Shaft, Great Spur Wheel and two of the three Stone Nuts were wood, the third Stone Nut was iron.[4]

Millers

References for above:-[4] [5] [7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Windmill collapses following fire. BBC News Online. 15 April 2008 . 16 October 2005.
  2. The Times, 20 October 2005
  3. Holman . Geoff . 2010 . Windmills . Cant Post . Kent Mills Society . 1 . 11 .
  4. Book: West, Jenny. 1973. The Windmills of Kent. 35–36. Charles Skilton Ltd.. London. 0-284-98534-1.
  5. Book: Coles Finch, William. William Coles Finch . 1933. Watermills and Windmills. 187. C W Daniel Company. London.
  6. Web site: New Windmill for Kent . Victoria . Heath . 24 August 2011 . 25 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110923042647/http://www.itv.com/meridian-east/new-windmill-for-kent15902/ . 23 September 2011 . dead .
  7. Web site: Directory of Kent Mill People . The Mills Archive Trust . 15 April 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090416174906/http://www.millarchive.com/kent/millpeople/Kent%20Mill%20People.htm . 16 April 2009 .