Deal - Time Ball

An Admiralty time ball was located at Deal to give accurate time to ships and the surrounding area.

Installed in 1855, this was linked to the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and later in life to the GPO Central Telegraph Office Chronopher.  At 1p.m. each day, a signal was sent from Greenwich to all time balls (Deal, Portsmouth, Portland and Plymouth) in England, thus synchronizing their drops.  This time signal allowed ships anchored in the Downs to check the accuracy of their chronometers, which was essential for accurate navigation, before setting off on long voyages.

To ensure that the signal was received, the sites would send a return signal as confirmation.  Deal returned the signal at 13.0.10.

It ceased official operation in 1927.

GPO Wiring Diagram - GMT9.

For more information visit https://www.dealtimeball.co.uk/ and http://www.royalobservatorygreenwich.org/articles.php?article=910