3-074-881 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Clock and Bells at the Royal Courts of Justice, [London], 1883. 'The Surveyor severs the cord that holds the pendulum and sets the clock machinery in motion - at noon; the bells and hammers; a trip to the dials; watching for the first strike. The clock projecting over the street at Temple Bar, 100ft. high,...was set working on Tuesday week, together with the six bells...Of the clock the chief points to note are that it is fitted with a Denison's gravity escapement and a patent remontoir arrangement, by which the minute hand is made to move like that of the clock at St. James's Palace - which was constructed by the same makers - every half minute. A compensating pendulum, 15 ft. in length, with a bob weighing 3 cwt., gives two seconds beats. The dials on each side, the one facing up the Strand, the other facing down Fleet-street, are of 8 ft. 6 in. diameter, and are framed of cast-iron, with white opal glass, so placed as to be illuminated at night with very good effect. The manufacturers of the clock and bells are Messrs. Gillett and Co., of Croydon. Our Illustrations show a few visitors inspecting the interior works, at the time when the clock and bells were set going'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.