Steve'sDigicams

Alan T · Jan 17, 2008, 10:19 AM

This is high on the wall of a tower of Castle Rushen, Castletown, Isle of Man. It is said to have been presented by Elizabeth I, but http://2iom.com/manxfacts.htmlsays...

"The famous one-finger clock of Castle Rushen - the date (and its supposed gift by Elizabeth I) are not correct, though the clock mechanism probably dates from mid 17th century."

The castle itself is the most complete mediaeval castle in the British Isles. It has remained largely unchanged, being used as a rather uncomfortable prison in more recent centuries. Cromwell's forcestook it in the Civil War, when someone opened the gate for him, so unlike most mainland castles he didn't bother to smash it later.

Alan T · Jan 17, 2008, 10:29 AM

This is my son inspecting the mechanism last Easter. It still keeps good time. Presumably the odd minute didn't matter much to folk in those days.

I think the plaque on the right says "Her Majesty QUEEN ELIZABETH II wound this clock on3rd August 1953". (I'm not sure about the "3"s)

I have an image showing the face in context on its tower, should anyone wish to see it (with permission).

tcook · Jan 17, 2008, 11:20 PM

That's a really interesting one.

Alan T · Jan 18, 2008, 4:19 AM

Alan T wrote:

Quote:

I have an image showing the face in context on its tower, should anyone wish to see it...

Now posted in the 'Panoramas and stitching' forum at...
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/fo...mp;forum_id=69

It's good on context but poor on clock detail.

LN1978 · Jan 18, 2008, 4:39 AM

Very unusual. I like it. --lucy

Bynx · Jan 18, 2008, 7:53 AM

Looking at the little pictures on the corners of the clock Id say the size of it is 3 feet by 3 feet. :blah:

Alan T · Jan 18, 2008, 8:56 AM

Bynx wrote:

Quote:

...feet by 3 feet.

I like your humour, Bynx, because there's no 'arm in it.

Bynx · Jan 18, 2008, 9:12 AM

And you can certainly hold your own Alan. Good one.

calr · Jan 18, 2008, 6:41 PM

A most interesting clock. The shot of the works makes it look like a very simple mechanism that uses a spinning fan to regulate the speed and presumably heavy weights hung from those ropes. How often does it need to be wound and more important, how often do they replace those weights?

Cal

vsch1 · Jan 19, 2008, 9:09 AM

Thanks for the interesting information about this clock.

Jan 17, 2008, 10:19 AM	#1
Alan T Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 2,980	This is high on the wall of a tower of Castle Rushen, Castletown, Isle of Man. It is said to have been presented by Elizabeth I, but http://2iom.com/manxfacts.htmlsays... "The famous one-finger clock of Castle Rushen - the date (and its supposed gift by Elizabeth I) are not correct, though the clock mechanism probably dates from mid 17th century." The castle itself is the most complete mediaeval castle in the British Isles. It has remained largely unchanged, being used as a rather uncomfortable prison in more recent centuries. Cromwell's forcestook it in the Civil War, when someone opened the gate for him, so unlike most mainland castles he didn't bother to smash it later. Attached Images

Jan 17, 2008, 10:29 AM	#2
Alan T Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 2,980	This is my son inspecting the mechanism last Easter. It still keeps good time. Presumably the odd minute didn't matter much to folk in those days. I think the plaque on the right says "Her Majesty QUEEN ELIZABETH II wound this clock on3rd August 1953". (I'm not sure about the "3"s) I have an image showing the face in context on its tower, should anyone wish to see it (with permission). Attached Images

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Jan 17, 2008, 11:20 PM	#3
tcook Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,703	That's a really interesting one.

Jan 18, 2008, 4:39 AM	#5
LN1978 Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 23	Very unusual. I like it. --lucy

Jan 18, 2008, 7:53 AM	#6
Bynx Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East of Toronto Posts: 8,800	Looking at the little pictures on the corners of the clock Id say the size of it is 3 feet by 3 feet. :blah:

Jan 18, 2008, 9:12 AM	#8
Bynx Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East of Toronto Posts: 8,800	And you can certainly hold your own Alan. Good one.

Jan 18, 2008, 6:41 PM	#9
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	A most interesting clock. The shot of the works makes it look like a very simple mechanism that uses a spinning fan to regulate the speed and presumably heavy weights hung from those ropes. How often does it need to be wound and more important, how often do they replace those weights? Cal

Jan 19, 2008, 9:09 AM	#10
vsch1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,885	Thanks for the interesting information about this clock.