Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 60

FEATURE
working water mill left on the Island,
and that is at Calbourne.”
He continued: “Yafford Mill is still
intact and could one day become a
tourist attraction but I think one of
the most interesting is St Cross Mill
in Newport which has real industrial
heritage. Its 10ft wheel ceased in 1939,
but it really should be transformed into
an Island industrial heritage museum
site. That is one of several mill sites
that could be brought back to life.
“One of the most interesting of all
was the East Medina Tide Mill, which
could work on an incoming and falling
tide, and was built around 1780 by
William Porter, who also owned West
Medina Tide Mill. It was known as
Botany Bay Mill because prisoners
from Parkhurst were loaded onto
transport ships there to be taken to the
colonies.”
Joe admits he has spent quite a lot
of money on researching mills on
the Island, and has always wanted
to publish his book on the subject.
But the overall printing costs of such
a project have been too high, so he
continues to carry out his discoveries
more as a hobby.
“I suspect there were more mills on
the Island that I haven’t found out
about yet. I have been told there were
once windmills on the road down to
Yarmouth, so I am are there are still
some undiscovered ones out there,” he
added.
Below: Joe's watercolour illustrations
Right: Yafford Mill

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