Ken, thought I would follow up a little further & it appears there was no navigational light nor was the ball copper but brass in material as listed below. The following information including the picture was obtained through Museum Victoria web-site. Summary: The timeball tower at Williamstown. A telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory at precisely 1pm each day lowered the brass ball. This allowed ships in Hobsons Bay to correct their chronometers -- essential for safe navigation. The timeball was erected on this tower in 1861. Description Of Content: TIME BALL ASTRONOMY INSTRUMENTS AND OBSERVATORIES Discipline: Technology More information Primary Classification: HOROLOGY Secondary Classification: Timeballs Tertiary Classification: australia Format: Negative - Copy: Black & White Place Depicted: Williamstown, Victoria, Australia User: Williamstown Observatory, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, 1861-1863 User: Melbourne Observatory, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 1863-1926
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:36:26 +0000
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