Restoration Of Dockyard Clocks Now Complete
People visiting the Royal Naval Dockyard will once again be able to tell the time without having to glance at their watches.
After months of work, the clock and the tide mechanisms at the Clocktower, one of Bermuda’s most recognizable landmarks, are again working.
Dockyard is also looking even brighter than normal after new energy efficient LED lighting was installed around the area.
The General Manager of the West End Development Corporation [WEDCO], Andrew Dias, said the work on the clock and tide mechanisms was a $200,000 restoration project.
“The electrical mechanisms were put in about 30 years ago and had worn out. The hands and the dials on the faces also needed replacing. It is good to see them back, they were like old friends,” he said.
“The clock used to be called the ‘four faced liar’, as each side would tell a slightly different time. Of course, clocking off was never timed by the slowest hand.”
LED lighting was installed at a cost of approximately $1 million and was needed as the existing lighting system was showing signs of wear and tear.
Mr Dias, who stressed that Dockyard was open for business as normal during the America’s Cup, added: “We believe the lighting is in keeping with the historic nature of the area and will significantly add to its atmosphere.
“It will also mean that the whole area will be better lit, but not too brightly, and it will help to really showcase everything there is to offer in Dockyard.”
The replacement work for the clock was carried out by the Electric Time Company of Massachusetts, who made the most modern tower clock in Bermuda at the headquarters of Chubb Insurance on Pitts Bay Road.
The new mechanisms were installed by Crisson Construction over the course of about two weeks as the old mechanism had to be taken out first. The original clock and one of the original dials are now on exhibit at the National Museum of Bermuda.
What a beautiful island we live on. #Privileged
It’s about time!
THE DOCK YARD CLOCK.
Back Then .My Father an instrument maker by trade, maintained ; serviced and repaired the original Dockyard Clock for over 15 years that i am aware of.
The clock mechanism is an engineering master piece,and would you believe the minute hand is 6 ft long.
The Eastern tower contained the tide clock mechanism which now resides at the museum.
The engineering principals of Dockyard Clock are no different than a very large Grand Father Clock both of which are powered by heavy gravity weights.
Every Wednesday day at 11.00 AM my father would climb a wooden vertical 40 ft ladder to re set the clock hands after heavy winds and wind up the weights.
On occasion I joined him ,when school was out, I was only 10 at the time.
Many of my friends, if not all , have gone to their happy place.
The fully functioning original clock including chimes which was has now been replaced by an electrical counterpart,can be seen at the Bermuda Maritime Museum , which, is well worth a visit , you will no be disappointed to the see a machine that thinks and talks.
You will also see how great this country of ours is.
“TIME AND TIDE WAIL FOR NO MAN.”
“Save the clocktower, SAVE THE CLOCKTOWER”