3-009-071 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: Mr. Benson's Trophy, 1862. 'The ornamental case supporting the bells was of carton pierre, strengthened with iron columns and girders...The four dials are of open ironwork, filled in with Minton's encaustic tiles of a bright blue...The movement of this clock, next to that at Westminster, is the largest in the world, and in point of quality of material and finish of workmanship it is unequalled...The three main wheels are each 2ft. in diameter, and cast in the...very finest gunmetal, the teeth being afterwards cut by an engine made expressly for that purpose, The frame is of the best wrought iron...The pendulum, which is self-compensating, is over 15ft. long, and vibrates or beats once in two seconds. The weights, which form the motive power of this clock, are masses of iron, weighing altogether about one ton...The hands of the dial over the principal entrance in Cromwell-road, which is 9ft. in diameter, are worked from this movement, the connection being effected by means of iron rods carried under the floor of the building. The great power of the clock is thus very clearly shown, as the large dial is no less than 300ft. distant from the movement and 80ft. above it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.