Just thought I'd do a quick post on the former watermill at Horn Street, Hythe in Kent. It was functioning by waterpower until 1943, and demolished in 1961. It was noted for a 31 foot waterwheel (possibly the largest in Kent), and four pairs of stones. Some notes below from the collection of HES Simmons quoting Peter Davies, the Folkestone librarian.
From Simmons Collection:-
“Four pairs of stones, wheel wants re-lining. Counter gear. Milling machinery by Piper, Maidstone, 1870. Wheel is old and roughly made. The mill has been flour, paper, oil, and flour again. The oil stones are nearby in an orchard. They are the only oil stones I know of in the district.” (PD, 1939)
“Two of Holman’s men have been working on the Horn Street wheel for the last week. They say the wheel wants relining all round. Still patching up will save some of the water – they can’t afford to waste much as the pond is very nearly swarved up” (PD, 1940).
“Is finished as a watermill; an electric motor is to be put in to drive the stone gear” (PD, 1946)
“Mr CP Davies had mill and wheel photographed 26.7.61. showing building in first stages of demolition. 3 floor brick building with attic, tiled roof and a smaller building at right angles to it. Wheel is a pitchback 16-arm iron bolted onto small nave on a small square iron shaft. Keyed onto the shaft between wheel and wall and close to rims of wheel is an eight arm T-section in two sections, iron wheel with face gear engaging a 4-armed nut which drives the countershaft gear. PD says (10/8/61), since these photos were taken the Mill House is down to the footings and the mill down to the string course, the wheel and counter gear all gone. I have been watching the demolition. One item of great interest is the discovery in the south wall of the mill of two pieces of the stone lintel of a 17th century window – more elaborate and finished than the one still existing in the north wall which lights the office. This was hidden by the house wall. Wheel was 31 feet in diameter” (HES quoting PD, 1961)
