2-979-742 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Belfry in the Clock Tower of the New Houses of Parliament, [London], 1857. St Stephen's Tower, (later renamed the Elizabeth Tower), houses 'Big Ben', the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster. 'This chamber, designed for the reception of the large bell and its attendant four quarter bells, is situated just above the mighty clock face...It is lighted by fourteen lights, or openings - seven on each side - which will also serve for the emission of sound from the bells...[View showing] the beams and standards from which will be suspended the various bells...At each angle will be suspended one of the four quarter-bells, and in the centre the large bell...The large beam is constructed of wrought-iron plates, firmly riveted together, and weighs upwards of thirty-two hundredweight. The chamber is approached by an easy flight of stone steps in the south-west angle of the tower'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.