Grenszicht, Emmer-Compascuum Explained

Grenszicht
Name Of Mill:Grenszicht
Molen van Geerdink
Location Of Mill:Hoofdkanal W.Z. 109, 7881 AE, Emmer-Compascuum
Coordinates:52.8211°N 7.0611°W
Operator:Private
Built:1907
Purpose:Corn mill
Type:Smock mill
Storeys:Three-storey smock
Base Storeys:Four-storey base
Smock Sides:Eight sides
Sail Number:Four sails
Sail Type:Common sails
Windshaft:Cast iron
Winding:Tailpole and winch
Pairs Of Millstones:Two pairs of Cullen stones
Stone Size:1.4m (04.6feet)
Auxpower:Steam engine, then a 22hp oil engine, then a 25hp electric motor.

Grenszicht (English Border view) or Molen van Geerdink is a smock mill in Emmer-Compascuum, Netherlands. It was built in 1907. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 14690.

History

Grenszicht was built in 1907 by millwright J H Schulte of Ter Apel, Groningen. It had previously stood at Oude Pekela, Groningen where it had been used as a drainage windmill. A steam engine was used as auxiliary power. It was replaced by a 22hp oil engine. This was replaced in 1941 by a 25hp electric motor. A pair of sails was lost in 1936, and the other pair in 1947. The mill ceased work in 1967. In the winter of 1974–75, the mill was restored by millwright Molema of Scheemda, Groningen. New sails and a new windshaft were fitted, and the mill was re-thatched. The original wooden windshaft was kept as a museum piece. On completion of the restoration, the mill was named "Grenszicht" as it stands close to the Dutch – German border.[1] In 2002, a museum was opened as part of the mill.[2]

Description

Grenszicht is what the Dutch describe as an "achtkante stellingmolen" – a smock mill with a stage. The mill has a four-storey base with a three-storey smock. The stage is at third-floor level and is 8.15m (26.74feet) above ground level. The smock and cap are thatched. The cap is winded by a tailpole and winch. The four Common sails, which span 18.8m (61.7feet) are carried on a cast-iron windshaft. This was cast in 1928 by millwright H J Koning. The windshaft also carries the brake wheel which has 69 cogs. This drives the wallower (29 cogs) at the top of the upright shaft. At the bottom end of the upright shaft the great spur wheel (81 cogs) drives two lantern pinion stone nuts, of 23 and 26 staves. Each stone nut drives a pair of 1.4m (04.6feet) Cullen millstones.[3]

Public access

Grenszicht is open to the public by appointment.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Emmer-Compascuum, Drenthe . Molendatabase . nl . 16 August 2009.
  2. Web site: Geschiedenis . De Hollandsche Molen . nl . 16 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235734/http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=324 . 7 October 2011 . dead . (Click on Geschiedenis to view.)
  3. Web site: Technische gegevens . . nl . 16 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235734/http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=324 . 7 October 2011 . dead . (Click on Technische gegevens to view.)
  4. Web site: Informatie . De Hollandsche Molen . nl . 16 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007235734/http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=324 . 7 October 2011 . dead . (Click on Informatie to view.)