The World of Visual Time Signals for Mariners
Time Balls, Time Guns, Time Lights and Other Signals
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Beschreibung
This book describes the worldwide evolution of land-based visual time signals that were used by mariners in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries for accurate navigation at sea. They followed development of chronometers which were carried in ships to show mean time at Greenwich, the chosen prime meridian. Greenwich time could be compared with local astronomical time to determine longitude, but chronometers were mechanical devices that had to be checked for accuracy. Land-based signals that were regulated by astronomical observations evolved from the ideas in 1818 of Robert Wauchope, a British naval officer who served at the Cape of Good Hope. He inspired introduction of time balls, specifically the time ball at Greenwich in 1833 which set the standard for subsequent installations and is still in operation today. The main emphasis is on the external appearance of time signals at different locations around the world and how they were used by mariners for rating chronometers. Time ballsand guns also became popular signals for public use and workplace control but then had social and political implications.
This book describes the worldwide evolution of land-based visual time signals that were used by mariners in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries for accurate navigation at sea. They followed development of chronometers which were carried in ships to show mean time at Greenwich, the chosen prime meridian. Greenwich time could be compared with local astronomical time to determine longitude, but chronometers were mechanical devices that had to be checked for accuracy. Land-based signals that were regulated by astronomical observations evolved from the ideas in 1818 of Robert Wauchope, a British naval officer who served at the Cape of Good Hope. He inspired introduction of time balls, specifically the time ball at Greenwich in 1833 which set the standard for subsequent installations and is still in operation today. The main emphasis is on the external appearance of time signals at different locations around the world and how they were used by mariners for rating chronometers. Time balls and guns also became popular signals for public use and workplace control but then had social and political implications.
Provides an overview of time signals for mariners worldwide that has never been included in previous books Lavishly illustrated to show readers what time signals looked like and how they were designed and built Easily accessible to readers who do not have a detailed knowledge of astronomy or navigation
Autor*in
Roger Kinns
Themen in »The World of Visual Time Signals for Mariners«
Astronomical History of Time Guns and Time Balls Early Methods for Calculating Lunar Distances Early Methods of Measuring Astronomical Time History of Chronometers Time Signals for Mariners
Stimmen zu »The World of Visual Time Signals for Mariners«
“This is based on decades of meticulous research and is beautifully illustrated; the images deserve praise given that this is a book about visual signals, and it is obvious that acquiring such an exhaustive selection has been considerable undertaking in its own right. … This beautiful volume succeeds in bringing attention to an important yet forgotten technological system. It is, without doubt, the go-to reference for time signalling in an age marked by empire and globalization.” (Edward Gillin, Antiquarian Horology, Vol. 46 (2), june, 2025)
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