• About plots on stamps ⁄ The Laxey Wheel from Isle of Man

    Printable Version

    The Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) is a large waterwheel built in the village of Laxey in the Isle of Man. Designed by Robert Casement, it is 72 feet 6 inches (22.10 m) in diameter and 6 feet (1.83 m) wide. It revolves at about 3 rpm.


    It was built in 1854 to pump water from the mineshafts and named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of Lieutenant Governor Hope who was the island's governor at that time.

    The Laxey Wheel has been claimed to be the largest working waterwheel in the world. The wheel was used to pump water from the Glen Mooar part of the ‘Great Laxey Mines’ industrial complex.

    The 150th anniversary of the Lady 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 & Mine's Trail.

    The Wheel features today on the reverse side of the £20 notes issued by the Isle of Man Government.


    Technical details

    The wheel is water-powered since the Isle of Man does not have a supply of coal but does have an abundance of water.

    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 has a throw of 4 feet (1.22 m) and connects to a counterweight and to a very long rod. This rod runs along the rod viaduct to the pumping shaft where the 8 feet (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.


    Issues with Laxey Wheel:

     

    Issue of 1973

    Issue of 1975

    Issue of 1976

    Issue of 1978

    Issue of 1983

    Issue of 1994

    First Issue of 1995

    Second Issue of 1995

    Issue of 1997

    Issue of 2002

    2 Issues of 2004: "Manx History" & "150th Anniversary of the Great Laxey Wheel"

    Issue of 2010

    2009.04.19

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