Clocktower ready for makeover
Time will be restored at the Royal Naval Dockyard as part of a $200,000 restoration project for one of the most recognisable landmarks in Bermuda.
It will mean a new lease of life for the electrical mechanisms of the clocks at the Clocktower, which were put in 30 years ago to show the time and the high tide time but have now worn out.
Andrew Dias, general manager of the West End Development Corporation, said: “The motors of that period 30 years ago have to be replaced and the hands and dials also need to be replaced.
“The northern tower contained a single dial and one hand to show the time of High Tide but these also have to be replaced and an automatic clock controller will operate the settings of the hand,” Mr Dias said in a press release.
According to Mr Dias, it is the latest in a long list of investments Wedco is making in the Royal Naval Dockyard, including a $900,000 renovation of the Glassworks building, a $500,000 makeover of the Sail Loft and $1 million on the North Basin building.
“A professional horologist from Great Britain assisted with information on the clock mechanisms, but it is intended that the replacement work will be done by the Electric Time Company of Massachusetts, who made the most modern tower clock in Bermuda at the headquarters of Chubb Insurance on Pitts Bay Road,” added Mr Dias
“The Dockyard clocks are a major feature of the Great Eastern Storehouse and need to be see in a working condition.”
The original clock and one of the original dials are now on exhibit at the National Museum.