Harrison's Fourth Marine Timepiece -- Flamsteed House, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London, UK
N 51° 28.679 W 000° 00.122
30U E 708176 N 5707243
An interpretive sign inside Flamsteed House explains the 15th century process of finding longitude with the timekeeper method -and its challenges on the high seas - until John Harrison perfected his 4th Marine Timepiece in 1760
Waymark Code: WMT46J
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/22/2016
Views: 2
The Time and Longitude exhibit at Flamsteed house is DEFINITELY worth a visit at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The exhibit traces the challenges of navigation in the 15th century that gave rise to incredible scientific and technological innovations in the 15th through 19th centuries, leading directly to the rise of Britain as a maritime superpower and imperial superpower.
This historic plaque in the exhibit reads as follows:
"FINDING LONGITUDE -- THE TIMEKEEPER METHOD
One solution to the longitude problem was an accurate and portable sea-going clock.
In 1726, news of the longitude rewards had reached John Harrison, a carpenter and self-taught clockmaker from Lincolnshire. Harrison was already making highly accurate long-case clocks, and had solved major problems having to do with temperature change and friction.
Harrison spent the next 45 years of his life developing sea clocks that would keep regular time, in spite of the ship's motion and temperature changes. Each timekeeper represented years of obsessive labor.
By 1760, Harrison had solved the longitude problem with this fourth Marine Timekeeper, now known as “H4”. It is one of the most important machines ever made."
The H4 is on display nearby, and has a small plaque reading as follows:
"HARRISON'S FOURTH TIMEKEEPER
Arguably the most important timepiece ever made, this watch finally proved that the timekeeper method of finding longitude was practicable. In recognition of this great achievement, in 1772 Parliament awarded Harrison the remainder of the 20,000 pound award originally offered in 1714."
Type of Machine: marine timepiece
Year the machine was built: 1760
Is there online documentation for this machine: [Web Link]
Year the machine was put on display: Not listed
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