Great Bircham Windmill Norfolk
Gt Bircham towermill in Mill Lane was built by George Humphrey in 1846, replacing the postmill that stood on the same site and it is thought that Aickman of Kings Lynn was responsible for the millwrighting work. The five storey mill stands 52 feet high to its curb and bears a datestone inscribed GH 1846 between the first floor windows. A stage was set on the second floor above the section of the mill cottage and bakehouse that adjoined the mill. The tower was 23 feet in diameter at the base with 2 foot thick walls and was originally finished in yellow and red brick that was later tarred. When working, the mill had four double shuttered sails with an overall span of 67 feet that operated at 12 rpm. Each sail had 8 bays of 3 shutters and that drove drove 3 pairs of overdriven French burr stones. The ogee cap holding a gallery and a 6 bladed left handed fan was vertically boarded to form a deep petticoat and was topped by a pointed finial. The iron railed gallery was typical of mills in the Kings Lynn and Wisbech area. A stage was set around the second floor. The 9ft diameter great spur wheel was made of cast iron with the rims being cast separately before being bolted on. The wooden brake was operated by a rope from the gallery. The mill stands on land that once formed part of the Marquess Cholmondeley's Houghton Estate and was bought by the Queen The cap was recorded as weighing 8 tons, the windshaft 1 ton and the great spur wheel & upright shaft 3 tons.
Size: 4714px × 7400px
Location: Norfolk
Photo credit: © TomsPhotos / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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