The ‘Maudslay time-balls’ talk

The ‘Maudslay time-balls’ talk by Dr. Roger Kinns MASc PhD was well received by the members of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh last Friday evening.

Roger travelled all the way from Helensburgh and despite the windy weather, the talk was well attended.

Roger queried Professor Piazzi Smyth’s statement that the original ball on the Nelson Monument weighed fifteen hundredweight as he has calculated that the ball probably weighed approximately three hundred pounds.

Roger also showed us a photograph of the time-ball which stood on the Sailor’s Home at the Broomielaw, Glasgow and operated between 1858 and 1864 and explained how the Glaswegians were not keen on using the time signals sent through from the Calton Hill observatory.

RSM Craig Roxby of 105th Regt. R.A. (Volunteers) is presently training for his epic cycle ride to London to raise funds for Firepower. Wearing a handlebar moustache, Craig will set off from Edinburgh Castle esplanade on Saturday 7th May on a penny farthing accompanied by five cyclists.

This week's photograph of the Broomielaw taken by George Washington Wilson is reproduced by courtesy of the Graham Lappin collection. The Sailor's Home can be seen in the background.