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| Paul Hollinghurst, Aug 2015 |
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| Street View, Oct 2010 |
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| Traveling the world to see inspiration posted Perched on the hillside above the village of Laxey on the Isle of Man stands an awe-inspiring feat of Victorian engineering—The Laxey Wheel, affectionately known as "Lady Isabella." Built in 1854 and designed by engineer Robert Casement, this massive waterwheel remains the largest functional one of its kind in the world. With a diameter of 22.1 meters (72 feet 6 inches) and a width of 1.8 meters (6 feet), it turns majestically about three times per minute, powered entirely by water. The Laxey Wheel was originally constructed to pump water from the Glen Mooar section of the Great Laxey Mines, once one of the most important industrial sites on the island. Today, it stands not just as a monument to the island’s rich mining heritage, but as a symbol of its innovation and resilience during the Industrial Age. Visitors from across the globe come to marvel at this mechanical giant, which continues to capture imaginations just as it did over a century ago. More than a historic structure, the Lady Isabella is a proud reminder of the Isle of Man’s engineering legacy and industrial spirit. |
I knew that pumping water out of mines drove the development of steam engines. I did not know that it also drove the development of water wheels to such big wheels.
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| Alan Jones (deadmanjones), May 2024 |
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| Ferdy Bailey, Aug 2023 |
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