Laxey Wheel Isabella was celebrated by the people of Laxey with a grand fayre on Saturday 24 September 2004. It is currently maintained by Manx National Heritage as part of the Great Laxey Wheel & Mines Trail. The wheel features today on the reverse side of the £20 notes issued by the Isle of Man Government. A water-powered wheel was used because the Isle of Man does not have a supply of coal for a steam-powered pump. Water from the surrounding area – including a number of local springs and streams – is collected in a cistern, which is above the level
SS Ellan Vannin (1854) the result being a dead heat. Subsequently the "Ellan Vannin" sailed down the channel as far as the Bell Buoy and back, during the course of which her speed was gauged by Captain Ponsonby on board the "Mobile". A two knot tide was running against her, however the "Ellan Vannin" covered the distance from the Northwest Lightship to the Rock Lighthouse in 1 hour 12 minutes. Luncheon was then served, the directors being joined by John Laird who had been on deck observing the trial. The "Ellan Vannin" made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Castletown on Tuesday 1 August,