East Medina Mill

The year 1792 marks an important historical period. The Hampshire Chronicle has announced the next sale scheduled to take place on Saturday, the 7th of the current month, at the Green Dragon Inn located in Newport. The advertisement was presented using the subsequent phrasing:

The subject of discussion is the East Medina Mill, sometimes referred to as Botany Bay Mill, which is a well-equipped and spacious water-powered corn mill located in the Whippingham Parish of the Isle of Wight.

The dimensions of the building are 80 feet in length and 25 feet in width. It is equipped with a flat roof designed for drying purposes. Additionally, the building features a vertical arrangement of five doors. Currently, it has the capacity to grind 30 loads of wheat per week. However, with a minor investment, it can be modified to accommodate the grinding of 50 loads of wheat per week. Alternatively, it can be transformed into two spacious areas. The County of HANTS possesses a mill that is very suitable for commercial activities. This is due to its location in a region abundant in maize, as well as its advantageous proximity to boats with a carrying capacity of 70 tonnes, which may dock in close proximity to the mill.

To obtain further details, please contact Mr. John Gilbert, an attorney based in Newport, Isle of Wight.

The construction of the mill took place in the year 1790, and it is plausible that its alternate designation originated from its role in providing ship’s biscuit to the convict vessels docked in close proximity. The structure in question has been utilised as a barracks on many occasions, and its function as a mill came to an end in 1939. Subsequently, a conflagration ensued, resulting in irreversible structural impairment, ultimately leading to the demolition of the edifice in the year 1950.

Today the site is part of the Island Harbour Marina.

• https://www.wightpedia.org.uk/w/East_Medina_Mill,_Binfield