Followers of our Blog may recall my earlier posts regarding our neighbouring mill, the Smock Mill at Swaffham Prior. James Forsyth, the owner is making fantastic progress with his project to return the mill to working order, to generate electricity.
Sails & Cap Come Off
Back in March, millwright Tim Whiting took down the sails, stocks and mill cap.
The top sail and stock of the first pair of sails are lifted free after the bottom sail has been taken off.
Now that sails have been removed, lifting strops are fitted to the cap timbers to prepare for the cap lift which is seen below:
Work Commences to the new Cap Circle & Cap Frame
Meanwhile at the International Boat Building Training College at Lowestoft, work has commenced to build the cap circle (which is fixed to the top of the smock tower) and the new cap which will replace the cap you’ve seen being removed:
Once this was completed, the cap frame was built and mounted on the new curb:
Now, the cap spars and upper frame is taking shape:
The fantail and spars which form the cap roof taking shape (Curteousy of the National Boat Building College & James Forsyth)
The front of the new cap taking shape – you can see the large block of timber on which the “neck bearing” will sit which holds the windshaft and the sails
Close up of the back of the cap and the fantail frame, the sheers protrude from the cap frame to hold up the fantail creating a sturdy structure!
We look forward to sharing more of this fantastic story in readiness for the day when Swaffham Prior can boast two working mills working together, side by side!
