Tidal Mill

The Tide mill is situated in a river estuary and collects water from the incoming and outgoing tide which fills the storage ponds of the mill.

When the tide recedes the water is left trapped behind sluice gates & raised banks or dykes. As soon as the tide has receded far enough the miller can open the sluice gate and release a controlled amount of water to turn the undershot wheel. Depending on the storage capacity of the mill ponds the miller may have only a few hours in which to work before the water runs out.

The tide has receded and left the mill ponds full, the miller is about ready to turn the sluice gate wheel to start the undershot waterwheel turning. The Mill is typically clapperboard construction and the roof is red tile.

Above: During construction, a cart track and bridge over a dwindling trickle of water but no roof added yet. The rotted remains of a small boat can also be seen.

Left: A neighbour is hurrying on his way to the mill carrying a sack of grain,

This model has the millponds formed in builders plaster which was then coloured with emulsion paints to give the appearance of depth.

Then clear fibreglass resin is poured in and allowed to find it's own level, ripples appeared quiet naturally and give the appearance of real water.

The top picture shows the miller on the boardwalk about to release the stored water now the tide has receded. The size of the model doesn't permit the large expanse of water -often several acres - required to keep the mill in operation for several hours