The Sails

The main spars for the sails were two 4 foot lengths of wood, (1"x 1¹/₂"), carefully cut at the centres, to half of the nominal 1¹/₂" depth, to form two slots which would then press together to form the spars into a cross.

Each of the four individual sails was then formed from two 20¹/₂" wood strips, (³/₄" by ¹/₂"), onto which were glued and nailed eight, 5¹/₄" long, 2" wide cross pieces, cut from ^1/₄" wood strip.

The individual sails had to be attached to the 'cross' at an appropriate angle to catch the wind, and this was achieved by first fastening strips of angled wood beading at the front of each main spar with glue and nails, with the angle sloping down towards the front edge of the spars.

You will see that this beading was narrower than the main spar, which came in handy a little later when fixing the windboards.

The beading used, provided an angle of about 15°, although this could have varied somewhat if that particular beading had not been available.

The individual made-up sails were then glued and screwed on to the main spars through the 8 cross pieces, the ends of which were positioned to protrude beyond the angled beading and lie in line with the backs of the main spars.

Finally, 'windboards' - each 20¹/₂" long - were attached as shown, at an approximate angle of 45°, to improve performance.

The sails and tails are particularly subject to weather damage, and deterioration of the wood, but  of course the whole of the structure must resist all of the 'weather' that is thrown at it.

It was therefore an essential part of construction to apply liberal coats of wood preservative at each stage, to every piece of wood used, to guard against the dreaded rot which attacked the earlier mill.