The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-16
The Old Windmills OF Rhode Island.

OF all the many pleasing objects pre-
numerous fine drives from Newport to
the other two towns-Middletown to
Portsmouth on tie same island-are the
oId-fashioned windmilis. They may be
| called 'old-fashioned. not only on &C
count of antiquity of this method Of
grinding grain, but also because of the
venerable age of the structures them
! selves. Most prominent among these is
the old stone mill built 900 years ago
| by Governor Arnold, which has so alb
surdly been made to do duty as q relic
Of the legendary visityof the Mortimer
| to Newport. The governor mentions
| this structure in deed of land, adjoin-
! ing its site, and he evidently built it
| after the model which he had seen near
his own birthplace in Eng land, which
| is still in active working order. Doubt
less many grlst was, in years gone by,
| ground within this roo]ess relic. The
| lack of running streams, tidal or other
wise. on the island, compelled the first
English occupants Of it to have recourse
| to this method of manufacture ing their
breadstuffs II offers a pretty fairly
balanced comparison of facilities and
cost with the use of water power.
There are eight Of these windmills on
the island besides Arnold's, seven OF
them doing active duty when the ele-
| ments are favorable to their operation,
and the view of them in motion is very
agreeable, though horses are very apt
to be frightened by the sight oftbeir ex-
banded wings. The one nearest to New
port is on the edge Of Middletowp, 10
the west of Paradise road. This was
built and originally set up at Tiverton
more than 1875 years ago. Its substantial
oaken timbers, which of course have
been often recovered, are as hard as
iron Such a structure needs to be very
strong, or else the racking which
stiff wind gives to its sails would soon
| tear it to pieces. The main timbers aud
cross-timbers are firmly stayed, so as to
allow nothing M re than that apparent
working which is felt on midocean in
the best built wooden or ever iron
| ships. The neither milestone is set
about eight feet from the floor, SO thor
oughlv secured as not to be started in
its position. = windlass arrangement
draws up supply of corn to feed the
hopper, and dights of steps go to the top
to facilitate the oiling of the machinery
and the regulation OF the movement.
Another external wheel sets the sails or
fans to the wind, the ais being
expanded or drawn Ia by the rope
gearing. The horizontal revolving
shaft is connected with per
pendicular one, to which is firmly
attached the upper milestone. OF course
the power and capacity OF the mill tor
work depends upon the force of the wind.
If this be tempestuous and gusty, it ID
not safe to allow its operation. A force
Of at least ten or twelve-horse power is
REQUISITE for grinding hard Indian corn
into fine meal, but feed may be manu-
featured with somewhat less force.
Twenty-Five bushels of fine meal, is
fair proddct of the mill for one day.
Seen at a little distance, the huge fans
turn gracefully in apparent silence
az if in harmony with the zephyrs'
But, wh,n one stands Immediately under
the shadow of the structure, there Is
majestic sweep in them attended with
corresponding sound. not exactly
noise, and one is M ade to imagine VIVA
would be the effect on his body or skuli
If he stood in the way. Yet the acquires
momentum seems to be less than tilaI 0
) machinery moved by steam or WAVE
! cover. Boston Transcript