The upper floor of Queen's Warehouse on Penno's Wharf, circa. 1860, was used to store lighter goods before shipment to the confederacy. During the initial inspection of the building by the St. George's Foundation for possible use as the World Heritage Centre, the large wooden winch wheel suspended from the roof above set the building apart from any other.

This great wooden hoist raised items from the ground floor and consisted of a windlass, or drum, attached to the large wooden winch wheel.

A continuous length of large-diameter rope, knotted at regular intervals, went around the wheel's grooved rim and extended to the ground floor. These knots served as pulling points for the man below.

The knots also caught in small iron bars on the wheel, providing the power to turn the winch and windlass. The larger the wheel's diameter, the easier it was to raise the goods — truly a unique engineering feat.

Architect Jody Walker explains that the wheel was restored and today retains its honorary position, suspended from the roof in the centre of the building.

It can be viewed from below by peering up through the opening used to hoist goods, including bales of cotton, or from above on the second floor.

Another interesting fact: In 1863, a year after Queen's Warehouse was built, cotton bales burn in a huge fire at Penno's Wharf. Suspicion fell on striking labourers who were demanding higher wages from John Tory Bourne, who leased the warehouse during the lucrative US Civil War.