John Harrison clock in Leeds museum display

[Robbo]

Not really Canal, but Marine related....

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-25903043

 

 

An 18th Century clock which played a major role in calculating longitude at sea has gone on permanent display at Leeds City Museum.

Clockmaker John Harrison helped solve the problem of accurate timekeeping on lengthy voyages with his research.

The longcase clock No 2 helped him produce a watch which could accurately maintain time at sea.

The clock will form part of the museum's John Harrison, the clockmaker who changed the world display.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council's executive member for leisure and skills, said: "Accurately determining longitude at sea was a question that baffled scientists and experts for many centuries.

"This new exhibition will enable visitors to see one of John Harrison's precision pendulum clocks that played a valuable role in helping to solve the problem."

Harrison developed highly accurate timepieces as part of a competition run by the British Admiralty to provide an accurate method of navigation for naval ships.

The clockmaker, who was born in Foulby, Wakefield, eventually produced an accurate watch in 1759, which could withstand the motions of a ship at sea in all temperature conditions.

[GeoffS]

And if I remember correctly he never received the full award that was offered to solve the Longitude problem as the establishment couldn't or didn't want to believe that a humble carpenter had found a solution that they believed could only come from astronomy.

[Mac of Cygnet]

His Mark 1, 2, 3 and 4 chronometers are in the Greenwich Maritime Museum, which I visited last time I was in London. (On the canal!)

[journeyperson]

The book Longitude, about his efforts to win the the prize is a great read. I think I am right in saying that his first clocks were made from wood, including the movements.

 

The Mark 1, 2, 3 and 4 chronometers are beautiful, the early ones being the most amazing contraptions.

[RLWP]

Wooden clocks are not that unusual, the most common being those made in the Black Forest. The Americans made them as well

 

Richard

[steven wilkinson]

is this the one the Trotter brothers found?