Laxey Wheel
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The Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) is a large waterwheel built in the town of Laxey in the Isle of Man. Designed by Robert Casement, it is 22 metres in diameter and revolves at about 3 rpm.
It was built in 1854 to pump water from the mineshafts and named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of the island's governor at that time. It is currently maintained by Manx National Heritage as part of the Great Laxey Wheel & Mines Trail.
Water from the surrounding area, including the local river, is collected in a cistern which is above the level of the top of the wheel. A closed pipe connects the cistern to the top of the wheel; thus the water flows up the tower without problem. The water falls from the pipe into the buckets (formed from wooden slats on the circumference) and makes the wheel rotate in what is described as the 'reverse' direction. The crank is 1.5 m long and connects to a counterweight and to a very long rod. This rod runs along the rod viaduct to the pumping shaft where the 2.44 m stroke is converted by T-rockers into a pumping action.
Most of the wheel and rod is made of wood; however, key mechanical parts are metal to provide tension and bearing surfaces. The rod has attached wheels at intervals to permit the stroke's motion with minimal friction.
The wheel is water-powered since the Isle of Man does not have a supply of coal but does have an abundance of water.
The Laxey wheel has been claimed to be the largest working waterwheel in Europe. The wheel was used to pump out the Laxey zinc, lead, silver and copper mine.
The 150th anniversary of the Lady Isabella was celebrated by the people of Laxey with a grand Fayre on Saturday 24 September 2004.
