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 has a 72-foot-6-inch (22.1 m) diameter, is 6 feet (1.83 m) wide and revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute. It was built in 1854 to pump water from the mineshafts and named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope who was the island's governor at that time. The Laxey Wheel is 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 & Mines Trail. The Wheel features today on the reverse
side of the £20 notes issued by the Isle of Man Government.
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