Nederland - Schiedam, De Kameel

Schiedam is home to the seven largest windmills in the world. Once there were more than 30 mills in the city. The majority of the so called ‘brandersmolens’ (malt mills) ground grain for the distilleries. To catch enough wind within the built-up area, and for greater storage and production capacity, the mills grew to be the tallest in the world. They have been joined in this century by two new mills, bringing the total number of malt mills to seven. These remaining ‘Giants of Schiedam’ are still characteristic of the city.

De Kameel (The Camel) originally was built in 1715; about 30 metres east of where the rebuilt windmill along the river Schie nowadays is located. The mill served as a malt mill until the early morning of 20 March 1865. On that day the mill lost its rods, iron shaft and cap in a storm in a storm. After a partial repair the mill served as a steam sawmill for several years. Three years later the remains of De Kameel were demolished after a fire.

Of all the mills the city has had and De Kameel was the most visible from the city centre. Rebuilding it in its original location was not feasible, as the turning basin in the river Schie was moved in 1960 to build a new access road with a bridge to the city centre. A site nearby was chosen, with the mill built halfway into the water of the Schie. After years of preparation, the Stichting De Schiedamse Molens started rebuilding the mill in November 2008.

The mill measures about 30.5 meters to the top. This makes De Kameel the smallest of the existing or rebuilt Schiedam mills. Since Saturday 14 May 2011 - Dutch National Mills Day - the rebuilt mill officially has been grinding again.