Three years ago, whilst on holiday in Madeira, I
came across this interesting piece of industrial
sculpture which stood at about fifteen feet high.
I was determined to find out what it was and where
it came from. I was told that it came from one of
the many derelict Sugar Cane Mills which can be
found all over the Island.
We did some research and discovered that there are
still three mills in working order, in Calheta,
Funchal and Porto da Cruz.
Last year, when we returned to Madeira, we decided
that we must visit a sugar cane mill and arranged a
trip to Calheta.
Every year from mid-April to mid-May, Calheta’s
Sugar Cane Mill works non-stop, day and night.
Sugar canes must be processed within a few hours of
harvesting; otherwise they will become dry and
useless. Currently, labourers book their positions
many months in advance as this type of work pays
very well.
The old steam engine has been in operation since
1894. The cultivation of sugar cane was the first
significant agricultural product in Madeira and was
responsible for the great prosperity of the island.
