Further examples of Timeballs and Timeguns

The cannon dial consists of a horizontal base, usually of marble or stone, on which are mounted a miniature cannon and two brackets, supporting a burning lens, and a gnomon.

The bracket arms are set to the solar declination, so that when it is noon, the burning beam of light fires the gun.

Some large specimens exist that were used to fire the noonday gun at ports or military camps, but far more common were smaller, and even miniature examples, as here.

The cannon dial was patented in the early 1800s by Victor Chevalier, a Parisian instrument maker. They became popular throughout Europe, being made in London by Negretti & Zambra, and also sold in Germany.

 The ball was raised to the top of a mast every day and on the stroke of 1pm it dropped down; at the same time a gun was fired to inform people out of sight of the Time Ball that it was 1pm.

But what is a Time Ball and why did Blackburn need one? The idea for Time Balls dates back to 1818 when a royal naval officer, Captain Robert Wauchope suggested that one should be set up on the Thames, so that sailing vessels could set their chronometer.

It is the canon of Sir Thomas Coventry.In 1860, this old colonel of the British army complained to his spouse, an absent-minded chatterbox that they were never able to sit down to dinner at the proper hour.

The English gentlemen therefore asked the municipality to fire a cannonball everyday at noon, to remind her that lunch was to be served. He committed to supplying all the ammunition and the canon.

It was therefore installed in the castle, at 92 meters in height, so that it could be heard by all the citizens of the city.

This custom survived and to this day one can hear the sound of the canon at twelve.

A gun was fired from Fort Canning as a salute and to warn the public of fires in the Town; it was also a time gun fired at 5.00 a.m., 12 noon and 9 p.m. This ceased in 1896.

Fort Canning was originally known as Bukit Larangan, or "Forbidden Hill". It was later renamed Government Hill.

This strategic hill in the heart of the city has played a vital role in Singapore's history since ancient times.

Today, it is a park where visitors can explore historic sites and enjoy the natural surroundings.