Tide gauge clock, J. Newman, London, 1850s
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1850s
Pendulum clock, made by J. Newman, London. Used to drive the recording apparatus of a self-registering tide-gauge [registered as ST 29815], which was erected at Williamstown by the Harbour Department in 1858, and operated until the 1950s. The tide gauge was located in a small bluestone house at the shore end of Breakwater Pier, Williamstown.
The supervision of the gauge and recording of the data was variously done by the Harbour Department, Williamstown Observatory and Admiralty surveyors, before passing to the supervision of the Melbourne Observatory in 1874, until its closing in 1943. The equipment and responsibility then passed to the Melbourne Harbour Trust. The movement of the tides was recorded on a calibrated strip of paper, which rotated on a drum driven by the clock. Weight driven. Heavy bob pendulum with flat wooden shaft.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 37 cm (Outside Diameter)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- J. Newman
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Dial is marked 'J. NEWMAN, 122 REGENT ST LONDON'.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-407217
- Museum object name
- Tide Gauge Clock - Used at Williamstown, J. Newman, London, England, circa 1850s
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- ST 25237
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.