Beneath the mill itself is one of the most unique spaces I have ever seen; instead of having a chute for the water to flow through, the water would simply fill up this reservoir, forcing water through the turbine.
The whole space has an ethereal quality to it, and I can only imagine what it would have sounded like with the turbine spinning below the water. You can see the two long drive shafts sticking out of the water, still connected to the turbines.
For a manufacturing/industrial production machine nerd like me, this place is like a self-contained Paradise. Sometimes my wife's weird letterboxing hobby takes us to some really interesting places: hiking trails, historic sites, etc. This was a good one.
ReplyDeleteShe basically had to pull me away kicking and screaming from the joint.
What a fascinating series you have posted this week, Chris!
ReplyDeleteLike "Anonymous," I love nuts and bolts and the ingenious ways Industrial Age and later designers solved problems. Some very clever individuals!
I take it this is an unusual design for mills? I wonder why - because of the mill's siting on the river? I've been through a few mills, but all were of the "familiar" design, whether still equipped with the big wheel or or turbine conversion.