Strange Water Wheels at Beachville
The work describes an innovative water wheel system designed to operate in a river, created by a laborer named John Cross. This system captures the river's current to power pumps that keep nearby quarries dry, a task typically accomplished by steam power elsewhere. The wheels are a source of intrigue for travelers who observe them in action, yet cannot easily discern the machinery they drive. The quarries yield valuable building stone and materials for kilns, conveniently located near railway depots for transport. The narrative emphasizes the efficiency of the water-driven system, highlighting its role in facilitating the extraction of lime and stone from the quarries, showcasing a blend of ingenuity and practicality in harnessing natural resources for industrial purposes. The work reflects on the intersection of nature and technology, illustrating how local innovations can transform traditional methods of resource management.
By James McIntyre · First published 1975 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Nature Writing · 152 words
First lines
Invented by John Cross, a laborer, while working there.
It is the cause of a good deal of curiosity on the part of travellers passing along, and observing wheels revolving in the river, evidently driving some machinery which they cannot discover conveniently, as they are driving pumps low down in the quarry beds. Good building stone as well as stone for the perpetual kilns are obtained convenient to two lines of railway depots and sidings.
Here in the river you descry Wheels revolve to keep quarries dry;
Elsewhere such pumps are drove by steam, But here by current of the stream.
What this Textopian page supports
Strange Water Wheels at Beachville is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 1975 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 1975 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Nature Writing, Adventure, Local History
- Length: 152 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs structured verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on imagery and rhythm.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative references historical elements related to labor and industry, particularly in the context of quarrying.
- Nature Writing — The text emphasizes the interaction between human invention and natural elements, particularly water and machinery.
- Adventure — The curiosity of travelers and the exploration of the water wheels suggest an element of adventure.
Tags
Poetry · Canadian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Humorous Poetry · Satirical Poetry · Literary Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Dark Humor · Absurdity · Whimsical · Imagery