Nelson Monument

Nelson's monument is looking slightly different these days, with scaffolding around his head. This is because the famous Time Ball has been removed while the mechanism is fully refurbished and a new automated system installed.


The 90kg ball, made from wood covered in zinc, was installed in 1853 provide a time-check to shipping.. Shortly before one o'clock it was raised to the top of a mast and  dropped exactly on the hour each day, via an underground wire connected to the city's observatory. However, when visibility was poor the ball could not be seen so in 1861 this was coordinated with the firing of a gun from the castle at the same time, known as the one o'clock gun, to give an audible signal.

While the monument will reopen this month, it will close again in September to allow the final work to be completed.