The Deal Timeball

Becoming operational in 1855, this ball was raised up and then dropped at 1 o'clock so that the ships waiting in the channel could set their timepieces to Grenwich Mean Time



The time signal was sent down telegraph wires from Grenwich alongside the South Eastern Railway line.

It operated until reliable radio time signals were established in 1927.

It now runs as a museum and the ball is dropped on the hour from 9am to 5pm.

I've never seen it drop as Tetters hasn't got the patience to wait there

 

You mean that ball at the bottom of the cross?

 

Yep, they wanted a big ball that folk could see from the ships

 

Duh....no Annie...the other ball

 

Stand over here, JD.......................... v
.

 

This is the Agave bed next to Deal Pier

 

Thank you Ziggy , the beautiful and delightful pics of your country and some large agaves well maintained.
Here’s a large opuntia from a cacti garden in Nevada.

 

Good thing we didn't have those in Jersey when I staggered home from the bar.