Geograph - photograph every grid square

This smock pump was used to drain the lands near Minsmere, Suffolk. A design that allowed it to operate with little interference. Features meant it could turn itself into the wind. Also through the shutter springs, spider, striking rod and weight the mill was prevented from being blown to bits in a gust of wind.

Once one of four pumps, this example being constructed in the mid 19th century. Pumping water from the marshes 2 metres into the drainage ditch.
Probably constructed by Robert Martin, a millwright from Beccles. It was in working until the Second World War after weather and wear meant it was abandoned. A bad storm wrecking it for good in 1977/78. The Ironwork was salvaged in the early 1980s, the museum volunteers re-erecting it here next to the river. Unlike other pump designs this had an internal three rod pump.