Hi everyone:

In regards to the freezing problem, I suspect that in some mills that were in a situation where there steady production meant big bucks, they were ingenious enough to create an area surrounding the water wheel that could be heated in cold weather.

In our grist mill the owner at that time had the foresight to create gearing that accepted the power from a steam engine, this meant that he could operate continuously during the winter and dry months of the year.

Our Muley mill also kept running well into the 1900's but had modernized somewhat by the 50's.

Each situation is different and it was the operators that had the foresight to try something different stayed to the forefront.

My father always said " Nothing ventured, Nothing gained"

NH