Brake Wheel
 		May 28th, 2008
  • Congressman Wittman Joins the Team for Assembly of the Brake Wheel

    • On May 28th, 2008, Congressman Rob Wittman joined a swarm of volunteers including Superintendent Dan Smith and District Director Joe Schumacher to put the finishing touches on the Brake Wheel of the Yorktown Windmill. The Brake Wheel is the largest gear in the wind drive assembly --- measuring almost 8 feet across, when all of teeth and cross members are attached the gear will weigh in excess of 700 pounds.

    Our intrepid assemblers were undaunted at the sight of the enormous cog and immediately sprang into action to wax the teeth and drive them into the carcass. After the teeth were positioned properly, a retaining pin was driven into the back of each one to lock it into place.

    Because this part of the project was conducted at the National Park Service Visitor Center, there was no shortage of tourists and spectators. Many visitors to the Colonial National Historical Park stepped up, grabbed a hammer, and took a turn at adding a tooth to the gear. In all the project took a little over two hours to complete and all of the volunteers took justifiable pride in the result.

    Special thanks go to:

  • Superintendent Dan Smith for allowing us to use the facilities at the National Park Service
  • Congressman Rob Wittman for coming out to participate in the project
  • Mrs. Beth Meisner of the York Town Crier for covering the event
  • Eagle Scout Ben Tyree who wrangled together the team of volunteers that made it happen


    • Speaking of volunteers... final assembly on the gear was performed by project volunteers from across the community that included:

  • The Honorable Rob Wittman
    		• United States House of Representatives
  • Mr. Joe Schumacher
    		• District Director - First District, Virginia
  • Superintendent Dan Smith
    		• Colonial National Historical Park
  • Ranger Mike Litterest
    		• Colonial National Historical Park
  • Mrs. Beth Meisner
    		• The York Town Crier / Poquoson Post
  • Ben Tyree
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Ben Bowes
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Daniel Akers
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Zeke Mankel
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Andrew Castro
    		• Troop 242 of Newport News, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Chris Cable
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Ryan Snyder
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Scott Tyree
    		• Troop 123 of Seaford, Virginia - Boy Scouts of America
  • Mr. and Mrs. Earl Garrard
    		• Robinson, Illinois
  • Madelaine Akers
    		• Old Dominion University
  • Mrs. Evelyn Akers
    		• The Celebrate Yorktown Committee
  • Mr. Walt Akers
    		• Jefferson Lab / The Yorktown Foundation


  • Finishing Up the Project

    • At the end of the day, Congressman Wittman and Superintendent Smith were each presented with commemorative 'teeth' from the brake wheel. These pictures show a few of the great people who participated in the assembly of this monumental gear.

  • Carcass Fabrication

    • Of course, there are always a few preparatory steps before the final product is assembled. These pictures show some of the tricks that were used to to shape the 450 pound carcass of the brake wheel and to cut the mortises to receive the teeth.




    For additional information, please contact Walt Akers.