The historic clock on the Hull Maritime Museum is now working again.
The large historic clock on the south-facing tower of Hull’s Maritime Museum has been extensively cleaned as well as the installation of a new automatic winding system.
It has been wound by hand every seven days for the last 150 years. The new automated system will wind itself, saving someone climbing inside the tower and winding it up by hand. The additional system will be completely reversible, leaving the historical workings of the clock entirely intact.
The Autowind Fitted to the mechansim
The clock is original to the building, made by Cooke & Son in Hull in 1871 and reconstructed by G.F.Newey in York in 1918.
Gillian Osgerby, Hull City Council’s Programme Director for Hull Maritime, said:
“It’s great see the clock get a new lease of life, thanks to National Lottery players. The clock is a recognised focal point of the exterior of the building and this new modern feature will ensure it keeps accurate time for residents and visitors. For 150 years, the clock on the old Dock Offices has kept time for the city, overlooking the historic Princes Dock where ships came and went through Hull’s Town Dock system.”
Specialist Clockmakers, Smith of Derby who also worked on the Guildhall’s new Time Ball have undertaken the work.
The Pendulum Arrest Regulator
Building contractors, Simpson of York are currently nearing completion on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Grade II* building.
The major works to the Maritime Museum is part of Hull Maritime, a project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to transform the city’s key maritime treasures. Other elements include the refurbishment of Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard and the restoration of two ships, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.