The Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) is a large waterwheel built into the hillside above the village of Laxey in the Isle of Man. Designed by Robert Casement, the wheel 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.
Coordinates: 54°13′40″N 4°24′07″W / 54.227778°N 4.401944°W / 54.227778; -4.401944
Laxey (Manx: Laksaa) is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man. Its name derives from the Old Norse Laxa meaning 'Salmon River'.
The village lies on the A2, the main Douglas to Ramsey road, and on the Manx Electric Railway, and Snaefell Mountain Railway. Laxey Glen is one of the Manx National Glens, with Dhoon Glen being located close by. The Raad ny Foillan long distance coastal footpath, opened in 1986, runs along the coast through the village.
In the 19th century, mining for lead and zinc began, becoming the largest industry the village has had. The Laxey mines were the deepest in the world in the 19th century. Mining in Laxey came to an end 75 years later in 1929. The village also had a fishing industry.
In the late 1800s the Manx Electric Railway line was built through the village, opening it up to tourists. Various other attractions were built at that time, such as Snaefell Mountain Railway and the Laxey Glen Pleasure Gardens.
One look was all it took and everything was said my darlin'
One look was all it took and you were in my head my darlin'
I stood there like an open book waiting to be read my darlin'
One look was all it took and you were in my head my darlin'
It's something so surreal
The stupid way you make me feel
When everything is said and done
Somehow you are still the one
Don't make me wait so long
To hesitate would be wrong
Don't make me wait so long
One day I think we may settle down together baby
One day I'll bet you'll say, there is nothing better baby
That day when you won't stay, some day becomes never baby
That day is far away, so I won't think about the maybes
It's something so surreal
The stupid way you make me feel
When everything is said and done
Somehow you are still the one
Don't make me wait so long
To hesitate would be wrong
Don't make me wait so long
Would you like a city by the sea
You could build a life with me
Don't think twice, I think it would be nice
A life of over-flattery
It's something so surreal
The stupid way you make me feel
When everything is said and done
Somehow you are still the one
Don't make me wait so long
To hesitate would be wrong