Undershot Water Wheel, mid 19th Century

Model, scale 1:10, of current or undershot waterwheel with radial floats, timber framed, unknown maker, Freiberg, Germany, 1834-1866.

This model is one of a set showing various types of timber water-wheels, together with details of the joints employed in their construction. In the current" wheel the radial blades dip into a running stream, and utilise only a small proportion of the energy of the water. The other three models are forms of overshot water-wheel; one has a closed sole plate, and so is unable to fill or empty its buckets rapidly through the lack of ventilation; the other two represent wheels with ventilated buckets.