2023
SK3385 : Wilson's Snuff Mill, Sharrow, Sheffield - auxiliary machinery
taken 2 years ago, 3 km from Sheffield, England
This is 1 of 14 images, with title starting with Wilson's Snuff Mill, Sharrow, Sheffield in this square
Wilson's Snuff Mill, Sharrow, Sheffield - auxiliary machinery
This is the site of an early manorial wheel that was certainly in use by 1604. The snuff mill was set to work in 1763 but has been extensively altered and in addition to water power has had at least three steam engines. It still contains an overshot waterwheel driving sets of mortars and pestles on two floors as well as a bolter and other machinery. This plant is now disused but retained in situ. The wheel can still turn with some difficulty. These are listed Grade II*.
This view shows the auxiliary machinery that is driven from the water wheel by the thin shaft with white tape at the top left. At the top is a bolter or sieve. The big drum at the bottom I am not sure about. The listing refers to a mixer but studying the process at other sites it could be a ball mill but is possibly a bit delicate in wood. Also driven off the gearing is a hoist for getting tobacco up to the charging side of the bolter. Our party was a bit confused by the drive arrangements here and I personally am still not sure.
This view shows the auxiliary machinery that is driven from the water wheel by the thin shaft with white tape at the top left. At the top is a bolter or sieve. The big drum at the bottom I am not sure about. The listing refers to a mixer but studying the process at other sites it could be a ball mill but is possibly a bit delicate in wood. Also driven off the gearing is a hoist for getting tobacco up to the charging side of the bolter. Our party was a bit confused by the drive arrangements here and I personally am still not sure.