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Wiganers in the Isle of man

5 Comments

Wiganers in the Isle of man
Wiganers in the Isle of man
Photo: A Fairhurst
Views: 2,150
Item #: 30063
Going for a ride.

Comment by: GW. on 11th January 2018 at 19:04

Off to see Wigans contribution to the Isle of Man, The Laxey Wheel. Before George Formby that is.

Comment by: DTease on 11th January 2018 at 21:03

That horse looks like it's saying to the other "We don't have to pull this lot up this hill do we?"

Comment by: Joseph on 12th January 2018 at 12:03

The wheel has nothing to do with Wigan nor any of it's components.

Comment by: John G on 12th January 2018 at 17:15

Joseph: I've got to be honest I had heard that a Wigan foundry had a hand in it, however on getting more info it transpires that the wheels iron parts was constructed by the Hawarden Mersey cast iron works near Flint near Bagillit North Wales. It was originally called the Snaefell Wheel, then transferred to the Isle of Man at Laxey to the man who designed it Robert Casement, it became the lady Isabella wheel after the wife of the govener.

Comment by: TD,. on 13th January 2018 at 09:31

Excellent observation DTease. These beasts certainly do seem to be in for a hard uphill struggle and I do believe the hand brake on this two horse powered carriage is failing to hold, under the strain of this large party of Wiganer's. Therefore an improvised brake appears to have been deployed, by means of the strategically placed stone sprag behind the offside rear wheel. Some may recall the jolly days of the old motorised banger and the temporary handbrake solution, after a sudden failure. When coming to a halt in traffic and on a hill, the passenger on the nearside, known more commonly today as the wife’s side, would hop out of the vehicle as instructed, to place a house brick behind the front wheel (when facing uphill) or in front of the rear wheel (when facing downhill) then quickly hop back into the vehicle ready for the off. On the signal, she would then become empowered by the wily old trucker behind the steering wheel, to haul the brick back on board anchor style, by means of the suitable length of string he had considerately attached to it earlier. Oh the joys of being taken for a ride.

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