Yesterday's World
Sutton Windmill & Broads Museum - The Windmill
Built in 1789, the 9 floors, plus the cap makes this the tallest windmill
in the country. It is listed as being of special architectural and historic
interest. Corn milling machinery, which dates from 1860, is still in situ, and
is considered to be one of the finest examples of 18th century craftsmanship.
The last time the mill worked was in 1940 when it was producing animal
feed, having ceased flour production sometime earlier. In 1940 the sails were
struck by lightning, causing a fire, which put the mill out of action.
This was not the first time, for it had previously been struck in 1875.
"SUTTON - THUNDERSTORM - Mr
J Wort's windmill was struck by lightning, considerably damaging
one sail. The electric fluid appears to have struck the sail, then
entered the mill on the sack tackling chain to the first floor...
shattering a large beam and joint then made its escape by the door to
the ground floor. Mr Wort's son and six men had a miraculous escape.
They were standing together within two or three feet of the hole that
was shattered and none received any injury. They were all very much
frightened and some appeared quite stunned, but soon recovered."
Newspaper cutting dated 19th July 1875
The sails were 73 feet (22 metres) from tip to tip and the 10 bladed fan tail
was 12 feet (3.5 metres) in diameter, with a traditional Norfolk boat
shaped cap.
