Time ball testing tenterhooks take hold
THE aim of the official opening ceremony on Saturday was for people to see the recently reinstalled time ball climb the flagstaff above Port Chalmers for the first time, and then drop at the stroke of 1pm.
But Brian McCormack admitted to having some concerns before the event.
The Port Chalmers Historical Society president said he and fellow members had spent the past three years planning for the reinstallation of the historic time ball at Flagstaff Lookout above Port Chalmers.
But the big question was, would the 120kg marinegrade stainless steel timesignalling device actually work when it was supposed to?
‘‘If all goes to plan, we’ll all have a ball of a time,’’ he said.
Otago Regional Council chairman Andrew Noone led the proceedings at the opening.
About 50 people gathered at the lookout about 12.30pm for speeches, the unveiling of plaques and information boards and — to the delight of everyone there — it did what it was supposed to.
Mr McCormack said the society had raised $50,000 for the project and he was delighted to see it come to fruition.
‘‘To see it up there now — it looks like the original time ball that was up there in 1867. It’s a thrill.
‘‘For all the tourist ships coming in, it’s a novelty. There’s only about five or six in the world that are still going.’’
The original time ball at Port Chalmers was used daily from 1867 to 1877 so ships’ officers could set their chronometers, used in navigation, he said.
In April 1882, the service was reinstated as a weekly service following a petition from 11 shipmasters.
The time ball continued to be used until 1910, when its original function was discontinued.
However, it remained practical until 1931 as it warned local fishers of high seas outside Taiaroa Head.
Although the time ball then fell into disuse, it remained on the flagstaff until 1970, when the flagstaff underwent rebuilding.