The Waterwheel

The waterwheel was installed in 1890. It was restored in 1988/89and continues to operate today. It is an undershot wheel with the natural flow of the river pushing the wooden floats round as it passes underneath. The wheel was installed to provide power for all the machinery in the mill including 16 power looms weaving silk cloth.

	A mill race was constructed to divert water from the River Test to power the water wheel at the Silk Mill and other mills in Whitchurch
	The fast flowing river water turns the water wheel. This turning motion is transferred from the wheel using a series of gears and axles
	The power is finally transferred to the machinery by a drive belt. This is turned by an overhead shaft powered from the waterwheel