{{Short description|Smock mill in Friesland, Netherlands}} {{Infobox windmill | name = De Ropta, Metslawier | image = Metslawier - molen Ropta in de zeilen.JPG | image_size = 250px | caption = De Ropta, June 2012 | name_of_mill = De Ropta | location_of_mill = Roptaweg 2, 9123 JB Metslawier | coordinates = {{coord|53|22|09|N|6|04|13|E|type:landmark_region:NL|display=inline,title}} | operator = Stichting Monumentenbehoud Dongeradeel | built = 1840 | purpose = Corn mill and pearl barley mill | type = Smock mill | storeys = Three storey smock | base_storeys = Two storey base | roundhouse_storeys = | smock_sides = Eight sides | sail_number = Four sails | sail_type = Common sails | windshaft = Cast iron | winding = Tailpole and winch | auxpower = | pairs_of_millstones= Four pairs of millstones | stone_size = Two pairs {{convert|1.70|m|ftin}} diameter<br>One pair {{convert|1.50|m|ftin}} diameter<br>One pair {{convert|1.40|m|ftin}} diameter | saw_type = | pump_type = | scoop_dia = | lost = |other = }}
'''De Ropta''' is a smock mill north of Metslawier, Friesland, Netherlands which was built in 1840 and is in working order. The mill is listed as a Rijksmonument.
==History==
A mill was built by Romke van der Werf of Betterwird in 1836, but it was blown down in 1840. It was rebuilt on a 20 Dutch feet (approximately {{convert|6.22|m|ftin}}) high brick base. The mill was struck by lightning in 1889, but no serious damage was caused.<ref name=Data/> The mill ceased working commercially in 1961.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.molens.nl/site/dbase/molen.php?pagina=overdemolen&mid=856&toonoverzicht=1 |title=Ropta Metslawier, Over de molen |publisher=De Hollandsche Molen |language=nl |access-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007150306/http://www.molens.nl/site/dbase/molen.php?pagina=overdemolen&mid=856&toonoverzicht=1 |archive-date=7 October 2014 }}</ref> It was sold to the municipality of Dongeradeel in 1962.<ref name=Data>{{cite web|url=http://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=105 |title=Metslawier, Fryslân |publisher=Molendatabase |access-date=3 September 2014 }}</ref> It carried Patent sails until 1966, when they were replaced by Common sails. The mill was restored in 1966,<ref name=Friese>{{cite book | last =Stichting De Fryske Mole | year = 1995| title = Friese Molens| pages = 130 | publisher = Friese Pers Boekerij bv| location = Leeuwarden |language=nl |isbn= 90 330 1522 6}}</ref> 1971,<ref name=Data/> and 1996.<ref name=Friese/> The mill is one of the most complete corn and pearl barley mills in Friesland. It is listed as a Rijksmonument, number 31577.<ref name=Data/>
==Description== {{For|an explanation of the various items of machinery|Mill machinery}} ''De Ropta'' is what the Dutch describe as a "stellingmolen". It is a smock mill on a two-storey base, there is a stage at second-floor level, {{convert|5.70|m|ftin}} above ground level. The smock and cap are thatched. The mill is winded by tailpole and winch. The sails are Common sails. They have a span of {{convert|21.00|m|ftin}}.<ref name=Friese/> The stocks are of interest in that one pair is of rivetted construction, made by the Gorter shipyard of Hoogezand, Groningen. The other stock, of welded construction, is claimed to be the first made by the millwright Christiaan Bremer of Adorp, Groningen.<ref name=Data/> The sails are carried on a cast-iron ''windshaft'', which was cast in 1891 by De Prins van Oranje of The Hague, South Holland. The ''windshaft'' also carries the ''brake wheel'', which has 61 cogs. This drives the ''wallower'' (32 cogs) at the top of the ''upright shaft''. At the bottom of the ''upright shaft'', the ''great spur wheel'', which has 95 cogs. The ''great spur wheel'' drives two pairs of millstones via a ''lantern pinion stone nut'' which have 24 staves each. The millstones are {{convert|1.40|m|ftin}} and {{convert|1.50|m|ftin}} diameter, although one of the former is broken. The mill also drives two pairs of {{convert|1.70|m|ftin}} diameter millstones which are used for milling pearl barley. These are driven by ''lantern pinion wallowers'' which have 20 staves each.<ref name=Friese/>
==Public access==
''De Ropta'' is open to the public by appointment.<ref name=Open>{{cite web|url=http://www.molens.nl/site/dbase/molen.php?pagina=contact&mid=856&toonoverzicht=1 |title=Ropta Metslawier, Contact |publisher=De Hollandsche Molen |language=nl |access-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008055955/http://www.molens.nl/site/dbase/molen.php?pagina=contact&mid=856&toonoverzicht=1 |archive-date=8 October 2014 }}</ref>
== Interior == <gallery widths="200" heights="200"> File:Interieur achtkante stellingmolen - AMR Molenfoto - 20538780 - RCE.jpg File:Interieur achtkante stellingmolen - AMR Molenfoto - 20538781 - RCE.jpg File:Interieur achtkante stellingmolen - AMR Molenfoto - 20538782 - RCE.jpg </gallery>
==References== {{commons category|Ropta, Mitselwier}} {{Rijksmonument|31577}} {{reflist}} {{Dutch Windmills}}
Category:Windmills in Friesland Category:Windmills completed in 1840 Category:Smock mills in the Netherlands Category:Grinding mills in the Netherlands Category:Agricultural buildings in the Netherlands Category:Rijksmonuments in Friesland Category:Octagonal buildings in the Netherlands