I came across this laying in a creek far from civilization.

[tidefan888]

I came across this wood fan blade-looking object in a creek this past summer. Would it be from a grist mill? If so, why would they make it from wood? There is no metal in it; it's pegged together with wood. I don't think it can be moved without damaging it. If anybody out there has seen one, your help would be appreciated.

 

[DCMatt]

It appears to be the remains of a water wheel. It looks in remarkably good condition if it is old. Any idea what kind wood it is? Cypress maybe? How big is it?

I would check up stream for a mill foundation.

DCMatt

 

[mamabear]

that's an awesome find! of course it would drive me nuts til I could ID it & find out where it came from. let us know what you dig up on it.

 

[mick56]

May have been something like this.

 

[tidefan888]

Thanks guys. It did appear to be cypress and in decent shape. I found out there was a mill about 6 miles upstream. We found this when the water level was lower this past summer than it had ever been. It's odd that it has wood pegs holding it together. It must have been used in something involving food.

 

[mick56]

If it was a water wheel, using no steel in its construction would mean no rust as it would have been wet all the time.

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks guys. It did appear to be cypress and in decent shape. I found out there was a mill about 6 miles upstream. We found this when the water level was lower this past summer than it had ever been. It's odd that it has wood pegs holding it together. It must have been used in something involving food.

Six miles? That's a long way for something this size to get downstream!

Wood pegs are not unusual. There is a house near my folks in PA built in 1796 by German immigrants. The main beams are all fastened together with wooden pegs. The owner told me they would drill a round hole and pound a square peg into it to assure a tight fit.

Can you/did you detect the mill site?

DCMatt

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Could it be a large old cable wire spool?

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

tidefan888 ~

Welcome to the forum. Cool discovery you made there.

Q : Asked once but worth asking again ... What is the approximate diameter?

Q : Not asked yet ... Is the square-looking stone in the center a part of it, or is it just
deceiving?

Gracias'

SBB

 

[tidefan888]

Thanks everyone for the info. In answer to sodabottle bob's questions: The diameter is about 6 feet, and the square center is man-made. I have been upstream to the mill and found many old objects, including indian artifacts, bottles, bullets, tools, and the figurine posted in the "what is it forum" titled "how old is this toy". I will upload photos of everything found there when I get time to photograph them.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Tide ~

Thanks.

This is somewhat pre-conclusive, but it appears that it might be some kind of "Undershot" Water Wheel. Meaning the creek water flowed "under" it as opposed to the ones that received water from the top. And if it is an Undershot, the following may explain why it was possibly trashed and replaced with a more efficient wheel. All speculative, of course. (I really don't know diddle about water wheels). Check it out ...

SBB

Link: http://www.hp-gramatke.net/history/english/page0600.htm#w_wheels



~ The Undershot Water Wheel ~

This type is the oldest. Vitruv described this type of water wheel in the 1st century B.C. It can be used wherever a swiftly running river is available. Its efficiency is around 25%. In the 19th century, this type of wheel was further developed. Especially the design by Poncelet reached an efficiency of 70%.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

P.S. ~

But then again ... it might be the top of an old handmade "Windmill"

 

[tidefan888]

Sodabottlebob- The pictures you uploaded closely resemble what I found. The picture of the wall of the mill is similar to the ruins of the mill I found also. I think you solved this. Thanks again.

 

[baywalker]

O boy this looks like lot of work but I would digging that up and trying to preserve it.

Jonnie

 

[Tigger]

O boy this looks like lot of work but I would digging that up and trying to preserve it.

Jonnie

You could take lots of pix, label each piece as it comes apart and reconstruct it in your back yard? Would look good in a garden, or on a large blank wall (interior or exterior depends on your decor ). I thought the same thing. I visited a grist mill once that had all these millstones that were moved there - a MUCH bigger task!!! If you do save it, please let us know how it goes!

 

[treasurepirate1]

P.S. ~

But then again ... it might be the top of an old handmade "Windmill"

that is what i thought when i first saw it, just look the the angled boards, you never see that on a water mill i think it could be a windmill.

 

[baywalker]

I have seen some like that where the water came down through it and it would turn like a boat propeller

Jonnie

 

[trikikiwi]

As an amateur artist and historian - I can see that hanging on my, or a Museum's wall

Pity it's far from help, as you say - It would make an interesting project, its removal and preservation.
Where's the nearest school of any sort?
Cheers, Mike

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Tide ~

Cool deal. I'm glad you're on the right track with your green check mark. Now ya just gotta get back in there and salvage that thing out. If something like that were properly cared for it could be worth a small fortune in my opinion. Its like a living, breathing piece of history. I'd love to find one.

Please keep us posted.

Gracias'

SBB

 

[baywalker]

P.S. ~

But then again ... it might be the top of an old handmade "Windmill"

that is what i thought when i first saw it, just look the the angled boards, you never see that on a water mill i think it could be a windmill.

Look how thick the boards and hub is I don't think it would fly as a windmill !

Jonnie