Photo collection by Th.Schiöler River and wind powered Windmills

Windmills

Windmill pump on Crete A very small part of the irrigated area of the world makes use of wind-power. In most places, the mean wind-speed is too low, so it will not turn the sails. Along the coast, the right wind speed occurs for windmills. This is the case on the islands in the Mediterranean Sea. On Crete, there is the Valley of the Ten Thousand Mills. Today, even here petrol has replaced wind-power. Very few (1990) are still working. [63]		Wind-powered piston pump The spread of canvas is determined by the speed of the wind. On this illustration, the spread of the canvas is equal to less than 20 % of the circular area. From the shaft, a long vertical connecting rod works the piston pump. The cylinder for the pump is made from a German shell, that was left behind from World War 2. [64]		Crankshaft for a windmill on Crete The top of the windmill can be turned into the wind. The bigger mills have a weather vane, the smaller ones are turned by hand. [65]
Dutch windmills lifting water These mills have a scoop wheel, which lifts the water to the big canal in front. They only work on Sundays. [66]		Small windmill for water-lifting The Dutch Mill-Friends own this magnificent windmill. [67]