The Isle of Man's 'Laxey Wheel' is the largest water wheel in the world. What name is it known by?
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
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