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The Clock Tower
(click to view enlarged)
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From the panel in the Interpretation Centre associated with the clock:
Above your head is a hidden treasure. Since 1740, Thwaites & Reed have maintained clocks for the most prestigious buildings including Big Ben. The RSA clock is one of the earliest made by Thwaites & Reed, circa 1783, made of cast iron in the style of a posted birdcage 24" wide and 20" high and deep. Within the frame are two large barrels made of oak. Heavy weights of cast iron are hung off each barrel by steel cables and as the weights drop under gravity, they turn the barrels, which, through a series of gears and levers, operate the clock. The smaller barrel drives the hands for all three dials, and the slightly larger one powers the hammer, which strikes the bell on the hour. |
On either side of the door, are the weight shafts, down which the weights will drop as the clock barrels turn. On the back wall are two outlines of the weights, and if you are lucky, the weights will be descending to cover the precise outline. If you cannot see the weights because they are wound up, there are tell-tale chains with 12" markers showing how the weights drop as the clock works. The going train works very slowly, as little as 2" per hour, the strike weights descend more quickly particularly when striking 12.
Following the closure of the RSAF, the clock was neglected, pigeons made nests in the clock, and the mechanism rusted solid. The top photograph shows the clock after restoration and the removal of 3" of feathers and nesting material covering the clock. The second photograph shows the conditions of the dials and hands.
The History:
The records of Thwaites & Reed go back to 1760. The RSAF was part of the Army and Navy Establishments which reused Thwaites & Reed clocks. Thwaites & Reed still maintain original clocks in military barracks and naval establishments and ships. Perhaps the key is the bell which was made in Woolwich Arsenal. The bell is very large for the clock and the hammer is almost too heavy for the mechanism. There are records of this type of clock made for Woolwich Dockyards, and some of those clocks are now missing. Before the days of wrist watches, and electronic clocks in every household, the Works clock governed the running of factories and the lives of whole communities. It would have been essential that the RSAF had the best clock available, coupled to a quality bell. Over the years the provenance of the clock has been established and it is one of the few original mechanisms, carrying out its original function as centre piece of a local community. It is a national treasure.
The Restoration:
The mechanism was removed and each part restored to conservation standards. The clock has several confirmed dating aids, a frame plate dated 1783, a barrel inscription dated 1883, a setting dial inscription dated 1808, a clockmakers mark dated 1857 and finally the maintenance schedules which show the last maintenance in 1983. The 41" diameter dials are made of solid slate set into a cast iron bezel. The hands are copper, ribbed for strength. The second photograph shows the dials before restoration. The third photograph shows the bezels and numerals being hand gilded with 23.5 english gold leaf. The 20 inch long minute hands and 14 inch long hour hands were remade and also hand gilded.
Click on image to view enlarged |
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Clock Mechanism (before) |
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Clock Mechanism (after) |
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Clock Face (before) |
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Clock Face (after) |
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Cleaning of the bell also produced dating aids. The bell was cast in Woolwich Arsenal in 1856. Along the sound bow is the inscription... |
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The Bell
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The restored clock mechanism is now fully operational, but the clock no longer governs the running of an arms factory with day and night shifts, and to help residents appreciate the clock, a new night silencing device has been fitted, so that the clock does not strike the bell during the night. This also enables the clock to observe other circumstances when it would not be appropriate for the clock to strike. The winding of the clock is done manually, and regulation is through the traditional means of turning a rating nut at the end of the pendulum. However to help with the fine tuning lead collars are placed on top of the pendulum bob. One of which is shown at the bottom of this display. This descriptive text was prepared and given to the RSA Interpretation Centre by Thwaites & Reed who are proud to have restored, and to be responsible for the future maintenance of the RSA Clock." |
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