Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-26

" -
something arresting, even terrifying. in
their silent dignity, their sleeping
strength. With their sails at rest. they
are wholly picturesque But when those
arms whirl madly in a rushing gale,
they become possessed of magic power,
sinister and terribly significant
The term windmill, used in its widest
sense, means a machine by which the
energy of the wind is applied to useful
purposes, Windmills were certainly in
use as early as the 18th century, bur
their exact origin is lost in the oblivion
of the past Their introduction into
Europe is generally ascribed to the Sara
Gems, through the Crusaders Flashing
their crimson crossed banners home~ard,
through Europe, the Knights of Richard
Occur de Lion brought many strange
customs and innovations with them. The
earliest written record of windmills in
England, dated the 18th century, deals
with certain disputes in reference TO
tithes connected with twindmills" Since
those PARKWAY times, windmills have
been in constant use in Europe. Ameri-
ca, and other continents. But modern
science has provided us with more eff
cient and reliable means Of grinding
corn driving engines than the some
what intermittent power of the wind
So, in this country windmilfs have be-
come objects of ornament rather than
use.
In Holland they are still largely en-
ployed in draining the polders and grind
ing trass. No picture of the quaint
Dutch country-whether actual or imagi-
nary-would be complete without its
windmill. The sturdy mills with their
revolving vanes. form as great part Of
Dutch character as the golden pins and
dainty lace caps of the women, the
baggy trousers and wooden clogs of the
men. Windmills are somewhat extern
sively used in America for pumping and
driving agricultural machinery. 1t seems
strange that the use of such very old
fashioned machinery" should be en-
couraged in such very go-ahead eoun-
try as America. But it has been dis
covered that wind-moved machines are
useful where fuel is scarce and labor
can proceed leisurely. if need be. y
windmill is never n powerful or efficient
motor, and its work is variable. But in
favorable positions windmill will run,
on an average. eight hours out of "a
Since crusading days there have been
many radical changes In the make
and shape of Windmlls. The Oldest type
was called the post mill, the whole
structure being carried on a post In
order to bring the sails facing the wind,
the structure was turned on its base by
long lever. The post mill was succeeded
by the tower, Smock or Froek mill, in
which the mill proper was a stationary
tower, the sails being attached to a re-
yolving cap, rotating on the top of the
tower. In all older types of mill the
wind-shaft carried four or six arms or
whips, on which long rectangular sails
were stretched, a triangular leading sail
being sometimes added. Later, the sails
We're made of sail cloth spread on
wooden framework. and at times boards
We're utilized. The American windmills
of today are gigantic, carrying IS or
more sails fixed round large disc
They consist of narrow boards or Stats
ranged radically, each board moving
with the winds impetus. Nowadays
these windmills are fitted with automatic
feathering and steering machinery. ana
are largely used in the United States for
pumping water.
II - iHiSltSllliS ~ tOilSlutE Iildt at the
beginning of the 18th century the whole
of England's grinding. saving, stamping,
and the draining of the eastern counties,
was performed by wind power. At the
beginning of the Goth century science has
rendered windmils a veritable thing of
the past. AS far as such work is con-
cerned, they stand idle, the revolution of
their giant sails no longer a thing of use
or necessity.
To authors and poets windmills have
offered and provided rich harvest.
There is a vague quality akin TO awe.
in the simple mention of natures ma
chimes. Perhaps the very 'invisibility of
the wind, the intangible strength of nat
ural forces, invests windmills with an
eerie supernatural observation-disclosures
Globe I