Modern waterwheel. Designed and constructed by a local engineer, Robert Casement, in 1854, and named in honour of the then lieutenant governor's wife, Lady Isabella Hope, the Laxey Wheel is the largest working waterwheel of its kind in the world. The wheel is 72' 6" in diameter and 6' wide, (22.1 by 1.8m).
Technically a 'pitch backshot wheel', water is delivered to the top of wheel via a pipe, running up the core of the masonry pillar that supports the viewing platform, from a cistern high on the neighbouring hillside. The wheel turns a crank which provided power via a system of rods to one of the neighbouring shafts, where a series of pumps raised over 40 gallons a minute from the deepest part of the Laxey mine to the main adit level.
The Laxey mine was amongst the richest sources of zinc, lead and silver anywhere in the British Isles in the later 19th century, but one of the key elements in the successful extraction of the ores was the control of ground-water which would otherwise have flooded the 600m deep mine complex.
There were no natural supplies of coal on the Island and so waterwheels, powered by surface-water, were used to drive the necessary pumps.
The Laxey Wheel or Lady Isabella measures 22 metres in diameter and is 1.8 metres wide. It was built in 1854 and is a pitch back-shot wheel powered by water supplied from a cistern on the hillside.
The viaduct carrying the pump-rods is shown at SC 432853 on the 1957 1:10560 scale Ordnance Survey map. The viaduct leads from the wheel and up the valley to the pump head and engine shaft. The wheel was built to work the pumps in the Engine Shaft some 410 metres away. Its power was transmitted by a sectional timber beam running on miniature, railway-type , bogies on tracks carried on an arched stone viaduct. An extensive system of lades brought water to drive the wheel itself and numerous other pieces of water-powered equipment.
The site of a pump head and engine shaft served by the Laxey Wheel, which is located 175 metres to the south. They date to 1854 and were part of the Great Laxey mine complex.
A viaduct built to carry the pump-rods leads from the Laxey Wheel and up the valley to the pump head and engine shaft of the mine. The wheel was built to work the pumps in the Engine Shaft some 410 metres away. Its power was transmitted by a sectional timber beam running on miniature, railway-type, bogies on tracks carried on this arched stone viaduct. An extensive system of lades brought water to drive the wheel itself and numerous other pieces of water-powered equipment.
A ditchless, grass-covered bowl barrow which measures 10.0 metres north to south by 7.0 metres and is 1.2 metres high. It has been clipped by the plough and damaged by sheep rubbing into the sides of the mound. It was described as being damaged as early as 1895. The mound has been subject to excavation by Dr Larch S. Garrad and evidence of funerary urns and human bones has been recorded here.
A ditchless, grass-covered bowl barrow which measures 10.0 metres north to south by 7.0 metres and is 1.2 m high. The mound has been subject to excavation by Dr Larch S. Garrad and evidence of funerary urns and human bones has been recorded here.
46 names listed; First World War.
11 names listed; Second World War.
Red sandstone cross on octagonal pillar, mounted on octagonal red sandstone bases. The sandstone is from Bankend Quarries, Cumbria. White marble plaques affixed to bases. On a ledge at the front of the pillar, there is a white marble statue of a soldier.
The Lezayre Parish War Memorial is situated at the junction of the main Ramsey to Sulby road and the Churchtown Loop Road and stands on part of the Farrant Ballakillingan estate. Records of the history of the memorial and names of all the fallen in the two world wars are lodged with the Local Authority, Lezayre Parish Commissioners and may be inspected at their office. Over a long period of years the Parish Commissioners have undertaken responsibility for the maintenance of the memorial.
The memorial was unveiled on Wednesday 23 May 1923 by the Lieutenant Governor. It was dedicated by the Lord Bishop. The unveiling of the Second World War commemorative tablets was performed on Sunday 23 September 1951 by His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor. The dedication was given by The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop. Guard of Honour by the Royal Air Force, Jurby. The memorial was designed by Ewart Crellin (1887-1950) and made by Mr Edward Christian, J.P., C.T.C. sculptor of Ramsey.
A broken head of a ring cross, each face carved with interlaced celtic cross, kept in Kirk Christ Lezayre church porch. It was found in 1879. It measures 53.3 centimetres x 35.6 centimetres x 15.2 centimetres.
This fragment was found at the parish vicarage in 1879. Each face shows the remains of the head of a 'Celtic' cross within a ring. On one side, a device of four continuous triquetras occupies the centre and neck: traces of knotwork survive in the limbs. On the other side, a large central boss is decorated with a four-fold, double-beaded ring design: traces of knotwork again survive in the limbs.
