Ore, water and a wheel
Lady Isabella was built to solve one problem: water flooding a very rich mine.
Lady Isabella and the Great Laxey Wheel are the same wheel. Every fact is in our own words with its source linked beside it. Where good sources disagree, we show each version.
A rich mine with a wet problem
Zinc and lead ore were found in the Laxey valley in the 1780s. Manx National Heritage, learning
The Northern Mine Research Society dates the start of work to around 1770, with a shallow level driven into the vein. Northern Mine Research Society
In 1797 came the main adit, the tunnel that became the main haulage and lowest drainage level. Northern Mine Research Society
For many decades flooding was a major problem for the men working underground. Manx National Heritage, learning
In 1836 the river broke into the mines and five men drowned. British Mining No 3, 1976
The Laxey Mining Company was formed in 1848. Visit Isle of Man
Robert Casement’s answer
It was designed by local engineer Robert Casement. Manx National Heritage, learning Casement was a self-taught engineer. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
Casement chose water because the Isle of Man had no coal to fire steam engines. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
Casement proposed a wheel twice the size of the existing one. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
He designed the wheel, the water supply and the pumping machinery. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
Building it
The axle, hub and cranks were cast in 1850–51 by the Mersey Steel and Iron Company of Liverpool and brought over by boat. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
The 1854 report says the axle was hammered iron, 17 feet long, 21 inches thick and 10 tons in weight. Illustrated London News, 1854
The arms were wooden, with a cast-iron rim from Gelling’s Foundry in Douglas. Illustrated London News, 1854
Like all the wheel’s wooden parts, the oak timbers of the long rod were made by local craftsmen. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
The grand opening
Lady Isabella was officially opened on 27 September 1854. Manx National Heritage, learning
She was named after Lady Isabella Hope, wife of the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Charles Hope. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
Shortly before noon more than 500 mine workers in their holiday best, with musicians, walked up through the village to the wheel. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture They were led by the mine company’s chairman, George W Dumbell. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
The Illustrated London News reported 3,000 to 4,000 people at the fête. Illustrated London News, 1854
The Manx Sun hailed it as the “largest wheel in Europe”. Illustrated London News, 1854
In the London papers
The wheel made the Illustrated London News on 14 October 1854 as a “Gigantic water-wheel”. Illustrated London News, 1854
The same report noted a new church for the miners and schools for their children. Illustrated London News, 1854
A sight worth the trip
Even before the mine was abandoned, the wheel had become an important tourist destination. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
The BBC says it was a pioneer of the industrial tourism craze among Victorian and Edwardian visitors. BBC
In Ham and Egg Terrace, miners’ cottages below the wheel, women opened cafés in their front rooms for the tourists. BBC
Manx National Heritage’s Google Arts & Culture story says it is the most visited attraction on the Isle of Man. Manx National Heritage, Google Arts & Culture
It has drawn visitors to Laxey for over 170 years. Manx National Heritage, visiting
Timeline
- 1780s Zinc and lead ore were found in the Laxey valley in the 1780s. Manx National Heritage, learning
- 1797 In 1797 came the main adit, the tunnel that became the main haulage and lowest drainage level. Northern Mine Research Society
- 1820 Sinking of the Engine Shaft began in 1820. Northern Mine Research Society
- 1836 In 1836 the river broke into the mines and five men drowned. British Mining No 3, 1976
- 1848 The Laxey Mining Company was formed in 1848. Visit Isle of Man
- 27 September 1854 Lady Isabella was officially opened on 27 September 1854. Manx National Heritage, learning
- 14 October 1854 The wheel made the Illustrated London News on 14 October 1854 as a “Gigantic water-wheel”. Illustrated London News, 1854
- 1864 In 1864 output passed 1,000 tons of lead ore, and the mine raised 5,356 tons of zinc ore. Northern Mine Research Society
- 1881–83 To save the long climbs, a man engine was put into Welsh Shaft in 1881, but it did not start work until March 1883. Northern Mine Research Society
What happened when the mine closed, and how the wheel was saved, is on the rescue page.
Next: how it works →