“Dreadful conditions were common.” That’s how life was for those working at the Old Lead Mine. Despite its relatively small size, the Isle of Man was extremely rich in mineral deposits. These included lead and zinc. During mid-Victorian times, the island produced a significant proportion of the United Kingdom’s output of these ores.
Mining began at Laxey around 1780. For the next forty years, the Old Lead Mine was worked with little success. Small groups of speculators were involved. In 1822, the Kirk Lonan Mining Association was formed to work the mine. By 1833, a profit was made for the first time. Over 200 people were employed at this time. In 1849, the Mining Association was reformed as the Great Laxey Mining Company. By this time, the lowest workings were constantly troubled by floodwater. It was decided to build a massive waterwheel. It would be the biggest in the world and power new pumps.
On September 27th, 1854, the 72 feet diameter waterwheel was christened “Lady Isabella”. It was set in motion for the first time. In 1862, the company became the Great Laxey Mining Company Ltd. Despite two bitter strikes in the 1870s, the output of the mine remained impressive. In 1875, production peaked. In that year, 2400 tons of lead ore were mined. Also, 11753 tons of zinc ore were mined. The latter was almost half of the United Kingdom’s output.
Although the shareholders were richly rewarded for their investments, life for those working at the Old Lead Mine was particularly grim. During the 1870s, nearly 800 people worked at the mine. They often worked in dreadful conditions. The miners worked eight-hour shifts. Many walked a considerable distance from their home to the Old Lead Mine. Descent of the shafts down the wooden ladders to the lowest workings took nearly an hour. These workings were over 2200 feet deep. The miners were wet and muddy almost as soon as they entered the mine.
Work was carried out entirely by candlelight. After a grueling shift deep underground, they faced a climb back up the ladders to the surface. A six-day week was worked. The only official holidays were Good Friday and Christmas Day. Pay was poor. Most earned less than twenty shillings a week. That’s less than a pound in today’s currency.
By the mid-1880s, the British mines were competing with ores imported from overseas. These imports were much cheaper. At Laxey, the quality and value of the ore being mined was diminishing. The machinery was once at the forefront of mining technology. But it was worn out. The money required to replace it had been paid out in large dividends.
A gradual decline began. It was only brought to an end in 1903 when the company was restructured as Great Laxey Ltd. With new capital, the machinery was replaced. However, the company went into liquidation in 1920. In 1922, the mine was purchased by a local businessman named Robert Williamson. He was able to carry on mining until 1929. That’s when the once-proud Great Laxey Mine closed for the final time. It was the last mine in operation on the Island. Its closure brought an end to the once prosperous Manx mining industry.
Scrap merchants quickly removed the mining machinery. But the Lady Isabella escaped the cutter’s torch. A Laxey builder, Mr. Edwin Kneale, bought and restored the waterwheel. In 1965, the Lady Isabella was purchased by the Isle of Man Government. Today, it is owned and maintained in full working order by Manx National Heritage.
Visitors can climb the 96 steps of the spiral staircase to the top platform. They can view the magnificent scenery of the Laxey Valley. A short section of the underground workings and the mining trails can also be explored. The Old Lead Mine’s legacy remains. It’s a testament to the Isle of Man’s rich industrial past.