The clock was completed in 1950 and is 40 feet (12.2m) in diameter and has a planted area of 38 feet (11.5m) in diameter consisting of more than 24,000 colourful carpet plants. During the winter multi-coloured stones replace the flowers. A 10 foot (3.05m) wide by 85 foot (25.9m) diameter water garden surrounds the clock. The hands of the clock are made of 3¼” and 3½” stainless steel tubing telescoped into each other and welded to stainless steel castings. They are counter-balanced in their short ends so that they require the same turning effort in all positions of their entire sweep. The hour hand is 14.6 feet (4.4m) long and weighs 500 pounds. The minute hand is 17.6 feet (5.3m) long and also weighs 500 pounds. The second hand is 21 feet (6.4m) long and weighs 250 pounds. The clock mechanism runs in a bath of oil and is driven by a 2 horsepower (hp), 3 phase squirrel cage motor.
Outside Pietermaritzburg City Hall, South Africa is a Naval gun from the British Royal Navy Ship HMS Fawn. After the ship ran aground in 1850 the gun was relocated to its current location. It was fired to announce 1 O’clock to the surrounding town. A visiting dignitary asked how the time was kept to ensure its accuracy. “We have a telescope that looks into the local clockmakers shop. He has a 100 year old Belgian clock in the window that is famous for keeping perfect time”
So the wealthy visitor went to see this famous Belgian Clock.
But the clock was not for sale. So he asked the question,
“How do you know your clock keeps perfect time ?”
“We check it every day with the One O’clock Gun”
LOL. That’s a great story GarryRF. Thanks for sharing it with us.