Grenszicht, Emmer-Compascuum

Grenszicht
The mill in February 2008
Origin
Mill name	Grenszicht Molen van Geerdink
Mill location	Hoofdkanal W.Z. 109, 7881 AE, Emmer-Compascuum
Coordinates	52°49′16″N7°03′40″E / 52.82111°N 7.06111°E / 52.82111; 7.06111
Operator(s)	Private
Year built	1907
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Smock mill
Storeys	Three-storey smock
Base storeys	Four-storey base
Smock sides	Eight sides
No. of sails	Four sails
Type of sails	Common sails
Windshaft	Cast iron
Winding	Tailpole and winch
Auxiliary power	Steam engine, then a 22 horsepower (16 kW) oil engine, then a 25 horsepower (19 kW) electric motor.
No. of pairs of millstones	Two pairs of Cullen stones
Size of millstones	1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in)

Grenszicht (English Border view) or Molen van Geerdink is a smock mill in Emmer-Compascuum, Netherlands. It was built in 1907. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 14690. ^[1]

History

Grenszicht was built in 1907 by millwright J H Schulte of Ter Apel, Groningen. It had previously stood at Oude Pekela, Groningen where it had been used as a drainage windmill. A steam engine was used as auxiliary power. It was replaced by a 22 horsepower (16 kW) oil engine. This was replaced in 1941 by a 25 horsepower (19 kW) electric motor. A pair of sails was lost in 1936, and the other pair in 1947. The mill ceased work in 1967. In the winter of 1974–75, the mill was restored by millwright Molema of Scheemda, Groningen. New sails and a new windshaft were fitted, and the mill was re-thatched. The original wooden windshaft was kept as a museum piece. ^[2] On completion of the restoration, the mill was named "Grenszicht" as it stands close to the Dutch – German border. ^[3] In 2002, a museum was opened as part of the mill. ^[2]

Description

For an explanation of the various items of machinery, see Mill machinery.

Grenszicht is what the Dutch describe as an "achtkante stellingmolen" – a smock mill with a stage. The mill has a four-storey base with a three-storey smock. The stage is at third-floor level and is 8.15 metres (26 ft 9 in) above ground level. The smock and cap are thatched. The cap is winded by a tailpole and winch. The four Common sails, which span 18.80 metres (61 ft 8 in) are carried on a cast-iron windshaft. This was cast in 1928 by millwright H J Koning. The windshaft also carries the brake wheel which has 69 cogs. This drives the wallower (29 cogs) at the top of the upright shaft. At the bottom end of the upright shaft the great spur wheel (81 cogs) drives two lantern pinion stone nuts, of 23 and 26 staves. Each stone nut drives a pair of 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in) Cullen millstones. ^[1]

Public access

Grenszicht is open to the public by appointment. ^[4]

References

1. "Technische gegevens" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2009. (Click on Technische gegevens to view.)
2. "Geschiedenis" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2009. (Click on Geschiedenis to view.)
3. "Emmer-Compascuum, Drenthe" (in Dutch). Molendatabase. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
4. "Informatie" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2009. (Click on Informatie to view.)