Virtual Discovery #50 - Time Guns and Time Balls
Part of a series of “Virtual Discovery” presentations featuring the military heritage of Rottnest island produced in parallel with Virtual Visit posts relating to the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia. This “Virtual Discovery” focuses on "Time Guns and Time Balls"
The time ball and time gun at the Round House in Fremantle were important aids to accurate maritime navigation. Determination of Longitude (East-West location) relied on the comparison of local solar time with Greenwich Mean Time. Time balls were usually dropped at 1 p.m. (although in the United States they were dropped at noon). They were raised half way about 5 minutes earlier to alert the ships, then with 2–3 minutes to go they were raised the whole way. The time was recorded when the ball began descending.
Details
Details
Rottnest Island was closed to the public for extended periods during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020. The success of “Virtual Visi” series at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia prompted the creation of a parallel series of “Virtual Discoveries” focussing on the military and heritage aspects of Rottnest Island.
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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