Vertical-axis windmill of the Chinese type

A windmill comprising a support for sails including a central support structure having a ground engageable end, at least one sail supported by said central structure, means for downwardly rotating said support structure for lowering said windmill without engagement of said sail with ground, a front cable secured from ground to the upper portion of said central support structure, a gin-pole secured normal to said ground engageable end of said central support structure and extending in alignment with said front cable such that when said windmill is rotated, in a lowering direction, said gin-pole will rotate upward and contact said front cable to maintain said front cable in an elevated position to provide leverage for assisting in lowering and subsequently in raising of said windmill, said ground engageable end of said central support structure secured upon a rotatable base with said rotatable base including a pivot behind said windmill, said windmill characterized by having a balance position when its center of mass is rotated, during raising, to a position directly above said offset pivot, a safety gauge rod rotatably hanging freely from said gin-pole to engage the ground upon raising of said windmill to prevent said windmill from falling from said balance position to an upright position.