Laxey Wheel
Isle of Man (UK)
The Laxey Wheel, built in 1854 and located above the village of Laxey on the Isle of Man, is the largest surviving original working waterwheel in the world. Designed by Robert Casement, it measures 72 feet 6 inches (22.1 meters) in diameter and is six feet (1.8 meters) wide, rotating approximately three times per minute. The wheel was constructed to pump water from the Glen Mooar part of the Great Laxey Mines, an industrial complex that was once a major producer of lead, copper, silver, and zinc. Water from local springs and streams is collected in a cistern above the wheel, flowing down into wooden buckets that turn the wheel in a unique 'reverse' direction. The mechanical energy is transferred via a long rod viaduct to a pumping shaft 200 meters away, effectively draining water from the mines located 460 meters underground. The Laxey Wheel is notable not only for its impressive size and engineering but also for its historical significance as a coal-free, water-powered pumping solution due to the island's lack of coal resources. Today, it is maintained by Manx National Heritage and is a prominent cultural symbol featured on the Isle of Man's £20 banknotes. The wheel also inspired two musical compositions named "The Laxey Wheel," highlighting its cultural impact.
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Consiglio: Visitors are advised to visit during the warmer months when the wheel is operational and the surrounding landscape is most inviting. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. Discounts may be available for seniors, students, and groups. The site offers informative guided tours that explain the wheel's engineering and mining history, enhancing the visitor experience.
Fatti interessanti
- •The Laxey Wheel is the largest original working waterwheel in the world.
- •It delivers approximately 250 imperial gallons (1,100 liters) of water per minute from mines located 1,500 feet (460 meters) underground.
- •The wheel rotates in a 'reverse' direction, known as a backshot wheel, powered by water flowing through an inverted siphon.
- •It is featured on the reverse side of the Isle of Man's £20 banknotes.
- •The wheel inspired two musical pieces titled 'The Laxey Wheel' composed by Stuart Slack and Helen Barley.
Storia
Constructed in 1854, the Laxey Wheel was built to address flooding in the Great Laxey Mines, a major mining operation on the Isle of Man.
Named after Lady Isabella, wife of the then Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope, the wheel operated to pump water from deep underground mines until the mine's closure in 1929.
The Manx Government acquired the site in 1965 and undertook restoration efforts.
Since 1989, the wheel has been managed by Manx National Heritage, preserving it as a key historical and engineering landmark.
Guida del luogo
The Waterwheel1854
The massive 72-foot diameter wheel constructed mainly of wood with key metal components. It turns slowly about three times per minute, showcasing Victorian engineering.
Rod Viaduct1854
A long wooden rod system that transmits the wheel's motion to the pumping shaft located 200 meters away, converting rotary motion into pumping action.
Great Laxey Mines Site
The mining complex that employed over 600 miners at its peak, producing lead, copper, silver, and zinc until its closure in 1929.
Contatto
Telefono: 01624 648000
