- Source: Black Mill, Whitstable
Black Mill, or Borstal Hill Mill is a smock mill in Whitstable, Kent, England that was built in 1815. It is now a part of a private residence at the end of Millers Court.
History
Black Mill was built in 1815. A mill that previously stood on the site was marked on Bowen's map of 1736. The mill had been painted white when built, but was tarred in 1885, thus gaining its name of Black Mill. Trinity House had to be notified, as the mill was a navigational landmark for sailors. The mill last worked circa 1905 and in 1928 was converted into a studio by the artist Laurence Irving, the grandson of Sir Henry Irving. The mill was later converted into a motel. The converted tower still contains the major milling machinery, and externally bears stocks and a dummy fantail.
Description
Black mill is a four-storey smock mill on a single-storey brick base. There was a stage at first-floor level. It had four patent sails carried on a cast-iron windshaft. The Brake wheel survives. This drove a cast-iron Wallower mounted on a wooden Upright Shaft. The Great Spur Wheel also survives. The mill drove three pairs of millstones overdrift. It was winded by a fantail.
Millers
Lawes & Carr 1839 - 1845
William Carr 1845
Jonathan Rye
Henry Somerford 1860 - 1866
James Callingham 1866 -
Callingham Bros. - 1899
George & William Dawking 1899 - 1905
References for above:-
Gallery
References
4. The “Old Black Windmill in the seaside town of Whitstable” is mentioned in Michael Powell’s autobiography (p.214 faber&faber paperback, pub 2000), A Life in Movies, who refers to working with Laurence Irving (art director) on the UK production of 77 Park Lane (1931)
Further reading
Irving, Laurence (1971). The Precarious Crust. London: Chatto and Windus. ISBN 0-7011-1701-X.
External links
Windmill World page on the mill.