The Different Parts of the Mill

There are four parts to operating a water mill. First is the outdoor part involving the river or stream and the waterwheel, second is the indoor machinery on the ground floor of the mill, third comes the top floor where the grain store and hopper are located and finally there is the operation of the mill stones where the grinding takes place on the first floor above the machinery.

Martry Mill Weir

Martry Mill Weir on the River Blackwater. A mill race is diverted by the weir to flow close by the mill.

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Weir
Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Weir

Martry Mill Weir on the River Blackwater. A mill race is diverted by the weir to flow close by the mill.

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

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At the back of the mill where the Blackwater flows past, a part of the river, called
a mill race, is diverted by a weir to flow close by the mill.

Martry Mill Sluice Gate

A sluice gate controls the flow of water needed to turn the waterwheel and operate the mill machinery inside the building.

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Sluice Gate
Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Sluice Gate

A sluice gate controls the flow of water needed to turn the waterwheel and operate the mill machinery inside the building.

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Enlarge image

A sluice gate in the mill race can be raised or lowered to control the flow of water needed to turn the waterwheel and operate the mill machinery inside the building.

Martry Mill Waterwheel

waterwheel at martry mill

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Waterwheel
Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Martry Mill Waterwheel

waterwheel at martry mill

Courtesy of Frances Tallon

Enlarge image

The waterwheel is undershot, this means the force of water strikes at the base of the wheel to turn it and it turns in an anticlockwise direction. It is made of cast iron and has 24 paddles on it made of elm wood. These are set at a slight angle to catch the full force of the water. The axle, on which the wheel turns, fits through an opening in the wall of the mill into the interior.