Lyttelton Timeball Station — Lyttleton, New Zealand
Posted by: 
Dunbar Loop
S 43° 36.387 E 172° 43.592
59G E 639335 N 5170388
The Timeball Station was in important part of the mariners life well before GPS units of today. The black ball at the top would descend everyday at the same time thus enabling ship's captains to set their chronometers.
Waymark Code: WM8JQE
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 04/11/2010
Views: 7
Timeballs were an essential part of marine life. Well before GPS units timeballs were a common site around harbours worldwide. The dropping of the ball would enable the captains of the ships to set their chronometers so that would know what longitude they were at while at sea.
Date location was entrusted to the New Zealand Historic places: 01/01/1973
Type of history commemorated (short description):
Maritime
Website pertaining to the location: [Web Link]
Town, city, or region nearest to the site:
Lyttleton
Admission fees if any: 7.00 (listed in local currency)
Hours of operation:
Daily 10 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Is it accessible to the general public:
Yes
Year placed: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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