Margate 150921 3778
Margate 15 September 2021.
On the seafront at the end of one of the main streets into town is Margate's Jubilee Clock Tower, completed in 1889, two years after Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The rare time ball mechanism that was installed at the time of opening passed out of use at some time, but there seems to be no record that can even pin it down to a decade, let alone a date.
However, it is known when the time ball was restarted, 24 May 2014, the 125th anniversary of the official opening and, appropriately, Queen Victoria's birthdate. The time ball can be seen at the foot of the mast at the top, resting in its base position. Each day at the approach to 1 pm a ratchet mechanism raises the ball to the top of the mast and, at precisely 1 pm, the ball is released. In pre-radio days that allowed anyone in view, including ships at sea, to get a precise time fix daily.
There are thought to be sixty or more of these time balls still in existence round the world, although few of them are operational.
Margate 150921 3778
Margate 15 September 2021.
On the seafront at the end of one of the main streets into town is Margate's Jubilee Clock Tower, completed in 1889, two years after Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The rare time ball mechanism that was installed at the time of opening passed out of use at some time, but there seems to be no record that can even pin it down to a decade, let alone a date.
However, it is known when the time ball was restarted, 24 May 2014, the 125th anniversary of the official opening and, appropriately, Queen Victoria's birthdate. The time ball can be seen at the foot of the mast at the top, resting in its base position. Each day at the approach to 1 pm a ratchet mechanism raises the ball to the top of the mast and, at precisely 1 pm, the ball is released. In pre-radio days that allowed anyone in view, including ships at sea, to get a precise time fix daily.
There are thought to be sixty or more of these time balls still in existence round the world, although few of them are operational.