Laxey Wheel and Helen Barley both entitled "The Laxey Wheel". Laxey Wheel The Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) is built into the hillside above the village of Laxey in the Isle of Man. It is the largest working waterwheel in the world. Designed by Robert Casement, the wheel has a diameter, is wide and revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute. It was built in 1854 to pump water from the Glen Mooar part of the Great Laxey Mines industrial complex. It was named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope, who was the island's governor at
SS Ellan Vannin (1854) as agents for the Sardinian Government for £4,070. (equivalent to £ in ) Upon purchase "Ellan Vannin's" name was changed to "Archimedes". The Castletown Steam Navigation Company subsequently went into liquidation. A further call on the shareholders of 10 shillings per share was made in order to finally clear the liabilities incurred by the "Ellan Vannin" for final claims of £600 (equivalent to £ in ). On the night of Tuesday 2 September 1856, whilst under the command of Capt. Skillicorn, the "Ellan Vannin" was involved in an incident in Douglas Bay with a small fishing boat which resulted in