Historic 150-year-old Hull clock once again ticking in city centre
The historic clock at Hull's Maritime Museum has been brought back to life.
The large, south-facing clock on the tower of the museum has undergone extensive cleaning and now boasts a new automatic winding system.
For the past 150 years, it had to be manually wound every seven days. The new system will wind itself, eliminating the need for someone to climb inside the tower and wind it by hand. Importantly, this additional system is completely reversible, ensuring the historical workings of the clock remain untouched.
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The clock, which is original to the building, was made by Cooke & Son in Hull in 1871 and reconstructed by G. F. Newey in York in 1918.
The Maritime Museum closed in 2019 as part of a huge £11 million pound refurbishment as part of the Hull: Yorkshire's Maritime City Project. It is expected to reopen in late 2025.
Specialist clockmakers Smith of Derby worked to restore the clock at Queen Victoria Square. They also worked to restore another clock associated with maritime history - the Guildhall's Golden Time Ball.
Gillian Osgerby, Hull City Council’s programme director for Hull Maritime, said: “It’s great see the clock get a new lease of life, thanks to National Lottery players.
“The clock is a recognised focal point of the exterior of the building and this new modern feature will ensure it keeps accurate time for residents and visitors.
“For 150 years, the clock on the old Dock Offices has kept time for the city, overlooking the historic Princes Dock where ships came and went through Hull’s Town Dock system.”
This renovation of Hull's Maritime Museum is a part of Hull Maritime, a project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund aimed at transforming the city's maritime gems. Other aspects of this project include the refurbishment of Dock Office Chambers, the establishment of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard, and the restoration of two ships, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.