Windmills in the Channel Islands
Encyclopedia
The Channel Islands
have had a number of windmill
s over the centuries. They were mostly corn mills, and about half of those built survive in one form or another.
is a tower mill
. It was derelict and capless by 1949 when photographed by Donald Muggeridge.
in 1660. Its site is now occupied by the De Saumarez Memorial in Delancey Park.
was painted by Isabella Struthers in 1884. The owner in 1886 was a Mr Gosset, who lost the mill due to a Bank failure. The new owner demolished the mill and built a terrace of houses in its place.
is indicated by the demolition of Windmill Rock, an outcrop in the unfortified Green. Between the construction of the Lower Ward (1636) and the construction of Fort Charles (1646–1647), the northern part of L'Islet was undeveloped militarily. In the centre of this Green stood a windmill on a rocky promontory. In 1646 it was decided to entrench the Green and quarry away the Windmill Rock. Construction of the Windmill Tower was started in 1651 on the site of the Windmill Rock. Buildings constructed in the early 19th century now cover the site. The existence of this mill is disputed.
it was converted into an artillery observation tower by the Germans. It is now a house conversion and is listed on the Jersey Register of Historic Buildings.
, that was converted into an artillery observation post by the Germans during World War Two. It is listed on the Jersey Register of Historic Buildings.
and winded by a fantail
. The mill did not have a stage. It was derelict for many years until converted into a pub in the 1950s. It has been converted into a shop and restaurant. The sails are not an authentic reproduction of the originals.
. The mill was rebuilt. It was working by wind until 1917. The mill had four double patent sails, and was winded by a fantail. The mill is the second oldest in the British Isles, it featured on the 1971 and 1977 2p coins issued by Guernsey.
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
have had a number of windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
s over the centuries. They were mostly corn mills, and about half of those built survive in one form or another.
Moulin Huet
Moulin Huet, GuernseyGuernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
is a tower mill
Tower mill
A tower mill is a type of windmill which consists of a brick or stone tower, on top of which sits a roof or cap which can be turned to bring the sails into the wind....
. It was derelict and capless by 1949 when photographed by Donald Muggeridge.
L'Hyvreuse Windmill
The site of the L'Hyvreuse Windmill is now occupied by the Victoria Tower, built in 1848.Le Moulin des Monts
Le Moulin des Monts, St Sampson's, was destroyed by lightningLightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
in 1660. Its site is now occupied by the De Saumarez Memorial in Delancey Park.
St Martin Windmill
The converted mill still stands in Steam Mill Lane, It houses a jewellery business.Vale Windmill
Vale Windmill is a fivestorey tower mill that was built in 1850. Photographs show it to have had four shuttered sails . The cap was similar in shape to those found on Kent windmills and was winded by a fantail. The mill had a stage at first floor level. It was converted into an artillery observation post by the Germans during the Second World War. This work entaild a three storey extension being built on the mill tower, making it 21 metre high overall. The windmill featured on a 2p postage due stamp issued by the Guernsey post office in 1982.Bel Royal Windmill
Bel Royal windmill, JerseyJersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
was painted by Isabella Struthers in 1884. The owner in 1886 was a Mr Gosset, who lost the mill due to a Bank failure. The new owner demolished the mill and built a terrace of houses in its place.
Elizabeth Castle Windmill
The existence of a windmill at Elizabeth CastleElizabeth Castle
Elizabeth Castle is a castle in Saint Helier, Jersey. Construction was started in the 16th century when the power of cannon meant that the existing stronghold at Mont Orgueil was insufficient to defend the Island and the port of St. Helier was vulnerable to attack by ships armed with...
is indicated by the demolition of Windmill Rock, an outcrop in the unfortified Green. Between the construction of the Lower Ward (1636) and the construction of Fort Charles (1646–1647), the northern part of L'Islet was undeveloped militarily. In the centre of this Green stood a windmill on a rocky promontory. In 1646 it was decided to entrench the Green and quarry away the Windmill Rock. Construction of the Windmill Tower was started in 1651 on the site of the Windmill Rock. Buildings constructed in the early 19th century now cover the site. The existence of this mill is disputed.
Moulin de Grouville
The Moulin de Grouville or Moulin de Beauvoir is an early nineteenth century tower mill of five storeys. During World War TwoOccupation of the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands were occupied by Nazi Germany for much of World War II, from 30 June 1940 until the liberation on 9 May 1945. The Channel Islands are two British Crown dependencies and include the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey as well as the smaller islands of Alderney and Sark...
it was converted into an artillery observation tower by the Germans. It is now a house conversion and is listed on the Jersey Register of Historic Buildings.
St Ouen's Windmill
St Ouen's Windmill, or Moulin de la Campagne is a tower mill in Grantez, Saint OuenSaint Ouen, Jersey
-Cueillettes:Unlike the other parishes of Jersey, the subdivisions of this parish are not named vingtaines, but cueillettes . Vingteniers are still elected, however, in the cueillettes.*La Petite Cueillette*La Grande Cueillette...
, that was converted into an artillery observation post by the Germans during World War Two. It is listed on the Jersey Register of Historic Buildings.
St Peter's Windmill
St Peter's Windmill is a tower mill that was in existence by 1848. Photographs show it to have been a five storey tower mill with a domed cap carrying four patent sailsWindmill sail
Windmills are powered by their sails. Sails are found in different designs, from primitive common sails to the advanced patent sails.-Jib sails:...
and winded by a fantail
Windmill fantail
A Fantail is a small windmill mounted at right angles to the sails, at the rear of the windmill, and which turns the cap automatically to bring it into the wind. The fantail was patented in 1745 by Edmund Lee, a blacksmith working at Brockmill Forge near Wigan, England, and perfected on mills...
. The mill did not have a stage. It was derelict for many years until converted into a pub in the 1950s. It has been converted into a shop and restaurant. The sails are not an authentic reproduction of the originals.
Moulin de Rozel
The Moulin de Rozel is a tower mill built in 1799. The mill was dismantled in 1916 and during World War Two it was converted into an artillery observation post. It is listed on the Jersey Register of Historic Buildings.Sark Windmill
Sark Windmill was built in 1571. It is a three storey tower mill with an ogee cap. During the early nineteenth century the mill was burned by Sark tenants protesting against the seigneurial system on SarkSark
Sark is a small island in the Channel Islands in southwestern English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. It is a royal fief, geographically located in the Channel Islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament. It has a population...
. The mill was rebuilt. It was working by wind until 1917. The mill had four double patent sails, and was winded by a fantail. The mill is the second oldest in the British Isles, it featured on the 1971 and 1977 2p coins issued by Guernsey.