History Snaefell Wheel

the wheel purchased snaefell mining company in 1865. built messrs leigh , gilbert howell of hawarden iron works in flintshire, north wales, 1 of 2 identical 50 ft (15.24 m) diameter wheels produced.

by 1910, wheel had come end of working life @ snaefell mining company , disassembled sent bodmin, cornwall. 1950s wheel had fallen disuse, , in 1971 cornish wheel preservation society had acquired wheel , dismantled preservation. society later merged trevithick society, current owners of wheel.

in 1976, llywernog silver lead mine in wales took wheel on loan society though never reconstructed it.

in 2003, effort started restore wheel home in laxey , on 20 august 2006, wheel had official reopening ceremony , began turning first time in decades.

to mark occasion of official opening, , in similarity big sister, piece of music snaefell wheel march specially written paul dunderdale occasion , performed first time onchan silver band @ opening ceremony, suitable fanfare.