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Old Rookhope: Bellows and Waterpower
Waterpower was used to power the bellows for the smelt mills. The water was collected in a reservoir and only
released through a valve when waterpower was needed. The water travelled from the reservoir down what is called a
leat, which is basically like a small stream, this ran to the launder (the metal and wooden structure over the
The water ran over the edge of the launder and powered the waterwheel by filling up its buckets to drive the wheel
round. The power from the turning waterwheel powered the bellows through a mechanism of weights and ladders. The
bellows were so large that they filled the buildings they were housed in. There were always two bellows so a steady
stream of air could be supplied to the ore hearth. When one bellow was deflated, the other could take over the job
of supplying air.
See a video clip of the waterwheel driving the bellows or explore
the ore hearth.
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