De Vlijt, Diever

De Vlijt
Origin
Mill name	De Vlijt
Mill location	Oldendiever 35, 7981 LT, Diever 52°51′06″N 6°18′49″E / 52.85167°N 6.31361°E / 52.85167; 6.31361
Operator(s)	Gemeente Westerveld
Year built	1882
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Smock mill
Storeys	Two storey smock
Base storeys	Three storey abse
Smock sides	Eight sides
Number of sails	Four sails
Type of sails	Common sails
Windshaft	Cast iron
Winding	Tailpole and winch
Auxiliary power	Oil engine
Number of pairs of millstones	One pair
Size of millstones	1.30 metres (4 ft 3 in)

De Vlijt (English: The Diligence) is a smock mill in Diever, in Drenthe province of the Netherlands. It was built in 1882. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 12907.^[1]

History

A smock mill on this site was burnt down in 1882. A replacement was built by Diever millwright Rietsma, incorporating parts from a drainage mill that formerly stood at Eesterga, Friesland. De Vlijt was last used by wind power 1938 and after that was worked by an oil engine.^[1] After 1940 the mill became derelict. In 1955, the mill was restored by millwright H J Huberts of Coevorden. In 1956 the mill restarted commercial operation, and was worked until 1965. Further restoration of the mill was carried out in 1978.^[2] In 1979, the mill was purchased by the local authority in Westerveld.^[1]

Description

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

De Vlijt is what the Dutch describe as an "achtkante stellingmolen", a smock mill with a stage. It has a three storey base and a two storey smock. The stage is 3.85 metres (12 ft 8 in) above ground level. The smock and cap are thatched.^[3] The four Common sails have aerodynamic lift creating devices on the leading edge using the Fauël system.^[1] They have a span of 18.50 metres (60 ft 8 in). The sails are carried on a cast iron windshaft which was cast in 1858 by millwright Fyenoord. It carries the brake wheel, which has 48 teeth. This drives the wallower (27 cogs) at the top of the upright shaft. At the bottom of the upright shaft the great spur wheel with 93 cogs drives the lantern pinion stone nut with 25 staves. This drives the single pair of French Burr millstones.^[3] A second pair of millstones is driven by electric motor.^[1]

Public access

De Vlijt is open to the public on Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00 (January to April and September to December) and from 09:00 to 16:00 (June to August).^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Diever, Drenthe" (in Dutch). Molendatabase. http://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=8. Retrieved 16 August 2003. 
2. ^ "Geschiedenis" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=323. Retrieved 16 August 2009.  (Click on "Geschiedenis" to view)
3. ^ ^{a b} "Technisch gegevens" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. http://www.molens.nl/dbase/molen.php?&molenid=323. Retrieved 16 August 2009.  (Click on "Technische gegevens" to view)

Dutch Rijksmonument 12907