Vaani Estate Mill, Eura

A wind-powered mill in Finland.

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This mill dates from 1877, and is built on a low mound. It is of the normal Satakunta type with vertical weather boarding painted Falun red and with twin tail poles. It has a weather cock on the cap and an iron bowsprit for the sails with stranded steel bracing ropes. Underneath the weather boarding is a layer of silver birch bark with the outside inwards, presenting a weatherproof surface to the outside. Finally, there is a vertical boarding nailed directly on to the cross-braced frame inside. The cant posts are barked tree trunks and project above the dead curb in order to centre the cap. Above the curb the base of the cap consists of four layers of heavy balks of timber, on top of which the cap is framed. The only floor is the bottom floor; there is one cross frame literally on the ground and above it the stones which are on a hurst and underdrift. At levels where one would expect to find floors are three clasp arm frames each oriented at 45% to the one below. On top of the lowest clasp arm frame are two heavy parallel beams; each has two curved recesses in it at the same distance from each end and on the centre line of the stones. In these recesses rest two heavy bollards with mortises for capstan bars and are used for raising the runner stones for dressing.

The clasp-arm brake-wheel is on a wooden windshaft and the brake only acts on the top of this wheel. There are two quite light brake leavers on the right hand side, one at right angles to the other like stone-tentering gear. There is a lantern wallower on a wooden upright shaft and a clasp-arm spur-wheel drives spur stone nuts which could be propped up out of gear.

The two pairs of overdrift stones rest on heavy plinths on the hurst and are enclosed by round vats in halves with handles for removal. There are small heavy shoes slung by iron hooks from the hoppers; one hopper has a sack platform behind it supported from the hurst and not from the horse. Meal spouts discharge into chests with hinged lids; tentering the stones is effected directly by a screw and nut on the hurst; the bridgetrees are supported by frames at ground level.

Full details

References

• Wailes, Rex, & Auvo Hirsjärvi, "Finnish Mills Part II: Mamsel or Smock Mills", (Transactions of the Newcomen Society, 43, 1970-1971, pp.113-128)

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