De Vlijt, Zuidwolde

De Vlijt, Zuidwolde
De Vlijt, June 2008
Origin
Mill name	De Vlijt Hoop van Zegen
Mill location	Molenstraat 12, 7921 AM Zuidwolde 52°40′06″N 6°25′34″E / 52.66833°N 6.42611°E / 52.66833; 6.42611
Operator(s)	Private
Year built	1878
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Smock mill
Storeys	Three storey smock
Base storeys	One storey base
Smock sides	Eight sides
Number of sails	Four sails
Type of sails	Common sails
Windshaft	Cast iron
Winding	Tailpole and winch
Number of pairs of millstones	One pair
Size of millstones	1.50 metres (4 ft 11 in) diameter

De Vlijt (English: The Diligence), formerly known as Hoop van Zegen is a smock mill in Zuidwolde, Drenthe, which has been convserved. The mill was built in 1878 and is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 41099.^[1]

History

The first windmill on this site was a post mill that was built in 1731. It burnt down in 1877. To replace it, the drainage mill Zuidplasmolen I was moved to Zoudwolde. It had stood between Moordrecht and Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, Zuid Holland. The move was carried out by millwright C H Schiller of Dalfsen, Overijssel. In 1940, the sails were fitted with steamlined leading edges. This was the work of millwright Bisschop of Dalfsen. The mill stopped working after the Second World War, but a restoration was carried out in 1960, being completed in September.^[2]

In 1980-81 a further restoration of the mill was carried out. On 1 April 2001, there was a fire at the mill although prompt attendance by the fire brigade saved the mill. The sailstocks were removed on 5 May 2004. As of November 2009, there are no plans to return the mill to working order.^[3]

Description

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

De Wachter is what the Dutch describe as an "achtkante beltmolen". It is a three storey smock mill on a single storey brick base. There is no stage, a mound of earth throw up against the base provides access for the sails. The smock and cap are thatched. The mill is winded by a tailpole and winch. The four Common sails had a span of 21.80 metres (71 ft 6 in). They had streamlined leading edges. The sails were carried in a cast iron windshaft which was cast by Enthiizen in 1864. The windshaft also carries the brake wheel which has 71 cogs. This drives the wallower (38 cogs) at the top of the upright shaft. At the bottom of the upright shaft, the great spur wheel, which has 110 cogs, drives the 1.50 metres (4 ft 11 in) diameter French Burr stones via a lantern pinion stone nut with 35 staves.^[1]

Public access

De Vlijt is open to the public by appointment.^[3]

References

Dutch Rijksmonument 41099

1. ^ ^{a b} "Technische gegevens" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=387. Retrieved 1 November 2009.  (Click on "Technische gegevens" to view.)
2. ^ "Geschiedenis" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=3876. Retrieved 1 November 2009.  (Click on "Geschiedenis" to view.)
3. ^ ^{a b} "Zuidwolde, Drenthe" (in Dutch). Molendatabase. http://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=38. Retrieved 1 November 2009.