Abstract
The broad evolution of visual time signals for mariners is explored in this paper, focusing particularly on signals that were unusual and on the period after 1880 when comprehensive lists were published by the British Admiralty. Wireless time signals had appeared by 1908 and were widespread by the 1920s, but visual signals continued to be provided at many locations worldwide. The first part of this paper shows the results of a study of Admiralty lists up to 1947. The number of time balls and other visual signals, including time guns where the flash of the explosion was the official signal, peaked in the period after the First World War and declined markedly after the Second World War. There were 129 listed time balls in 1919, 69 in 1939 and 26 in 1947. Electric time lights first appeared as principal signals in about 1909 and replaced or complemented many time balls. The number listed reached 41 in 1934. Many were in Asia and mainland Europe, but no time lights were ever listed for North America or the British Isles.
Some unusual visual signals that used to exist in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Africa, New Zealand and North America are considered in the second part of this paper. Collapsible time balls, known as balloons, were used at three locations in France. Time discs used in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Dutch colonies are described, as well as the lever arm ball that was used at Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The variety of time ball designs worldwide and the unique time lights in New Zealand are also discussed. The paper concludes with a summary of time balls which had featured in Admiralty lists and have now been re-established as working memorials.
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Further Reading
List of Time Signals, Established in Various Parts of the World 1880: Compiled for the Use of Seamen, as an Aid for Ascertaining the Errors and Rates of Chronometers. 1st Edition printed for the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, 1880.
List of Time Signals, Established in Various Parts of the World 1898: Compiled for the Use of Seamen, as an Aid for Ascertaining the Errors and Rates of Chronometers. 5th Edition printed for the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, 1898.
List of Time Signals, Established in Various Parts of the World 1904: Compiled for the Use of Seamen, as an Aid for Ascertaining the Errors and Rates of Chronometers. Printed for the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, 1904.
List of Time Signals, Established in Various Parts of the World 1908: Compiled for the Use of Seamen, as an Aid for Ascertaining the Errors and Rates of Chronometers. Printed for the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, 1908.
List of Time Signals, Established in Various Parts of the World 1911: Compiled for the Use of Seamen, as an Aid for Ascertaining the Errors and Rates of Chronometers. Printed for the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, 1911.
Admiralty list of lights and time signals. Issued in nine parts. Printed for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, by Wyman and Sons Ltd., London, 1912–1920.
I. British islands;
II. Eastern shores of the North Sea and in the White Sea;
III. Baltic Sea;
IV. Western coasts of Europe and Africa (from Dunkerque to the Cape of Good Hope) including Azores, Madeira, Canary, Cape Verde islands;
V. The Mediterranean, Black, Azov, and Red Seas;
VI. South Africa, East Indies, China, Japan, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand;
VII. South America, western coasts of North America, Pacific Islands, & c.;
VIII. Eastern coasts of North and Central America (from Labrador to the River Amazon) including Bermuda and the islands of the West Indies;
IX. Western side of the Atlantic Ocean, United States of America, Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and the northern coasts of South America to Cape Orange.
Admiralty list of lights, time signals, wireless direction finding stations and wireless meteorological signals. Issued in nine parts (as in 1912–1920). Printed for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, by Wyman and Sons Ltd, London, 1921.
Admiralty list of lights and visual time signals. Issued in nine parts (as in 1921): Published for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, by HM Stationery Office, London, 1922–1928.
Admiralty list of lights, fog signals and visual time signals. Issued in 12 parts. Published for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, by HM Stationery Office, London, 1929–1971.
I. British islands;
II. North and Arctic Seas except the British Isles;
III. Baltic Sea, with Kattegat, Belts and Sound;
IV. Eastern sides of north and south Atlantic Ocean, south of Dunkerque;
V. Mediterranean, Black, and Red Seas;
VI. Indian and west Pacific Oceans;
VII. Western side of south Atlantic Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean;
VIII. Western side of north Atlantic Ocean (Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador);
IX. Western side of the Atlantic Ocean, United States of America, Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and the northern coasts of South America to Cape Orange;
X. Indian and south Pacific Oceans;
XI. North and Arctic Seas except the British Isles;
XII. Arctic Ocean (varies).
Acknowledgements
This paper has been inspired by my association with Wayne Orchiston, but it has developed with the help of many people. Paul Fuller and Douglas Bateman have an extraordinary knowledge of British time signals which they have shared willingly. Staff at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh have helped me to access Admiralty lists under the constraints of the Covid-19 crisis and my contacts overseas have always been supportive. I thank them all.
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Kinns, R. (2023). Evolutions in the History of Visual Time Signals for Mariners. In: Gullberg, S., Robertson, P. (eds) Essays on Astronomical History and Heritage. Historical & Cultural Astronomy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29493-8_27
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