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Ship's clock

Manufacturer Samuel Smith & Son

MakerRepaired by Edwin Bowers and Sons

Date1963 - 1982

Object number00001806

NameClock

MediumBrass

DimensionsOverall: 170 x 175 x 95 mm, 1.35 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from TNT Limited

Terms

England

DescriptionThis clock comes from the MV MITTAGONG, an iron ore carrier owned by Bulkships Pty Ltd. The clock was manufactured in Great Britain by Samuel Smith & Son, was possibly repaired by Edwin Bowers and Sons in Sydney.HistoryDuring the 18th century explorers were attempting to discover and map the world’s oceans and continents. In order to achieve this they needed instruments that accurately defined their location at any given time. The development of a mariner’s clock that pinpointed longitude and therefore a ship's relation to London, England was necessary. Following the successful work of the English clockmaker John Harrison in the late 18th century the chronometer became a standard navigational tool on all ships. It allowed mariners to maintain a reliable and accurate time system by determining longitude at sea. The chronometer was crucial to marine navigation until the invention of electronic tools in the 20th century. Samuel Smith & Son began in 1851 as a retail store at Newington Causeway, selling a variety of English and Swiss made clocks and watches. In 1934 the business acquired the Coventry based firm of H Williamson Ltd, and began to manufacture their own clocks and watches. The company went on to design and manufacture a variety of time keeping products, including watches, chronographs, speedometers, and marine clocks. During World War II, Samuel Smith & Son produced and range of watches and clocks patrioticaly named the 'Empire Range'. The company had carved out a dedicated home market of consumers who preferred to 'buy British'. SignificanceThis is an excellent representative example of a ship's clock from the iron ore carrier MV MITTAGONG.