The Time Ball Drops Again in Geelong

The historic Time Ball on the tower of the Geelong Telegraph Station has been rebuilt and was dropped for the first time at 1pm on January 12, 2006. The only operating Time Ball in America is in Times Square, New York. Each year at midnight thousands mark the beginning of a new year as the ball drops.

Since the first one was installed at Greenwich in 1833, Time Balls situated near important harbours across the world gave mariners a chance to re-set their chronometers which were used to determine longitude and help them navigate safely across the world. In Australia Time Balls survive at Williamstown and at Fremantle where it is dropped each day as part of a tourism attraction. Of the 150 once installed world wide only some 50 remain in situ and only a handful still work. The use of Time Balls to establish accurate time was aided by telegraphic signals and surpassed by radio. In Victoria Time Balls were linked with the introduction of the telegraph in 1854. Geelong’s Telegraph Station and Time Ball was built that year as part of the Williamstown-Geelong telegraph line.

The re-instatement of this important part of maritime history is a tremendous feat and in celebration tugs and ships in Geelong harbour sounded their horns while the fire service tugs had their water cannons spouting to acknowledge their acceptance of the time signal. The Geelong Telegraph Station is now the home of Georg Franc Photographic Studios, tenants who show great care and respect for this wonderful part of Geelong’s history, and the Time Ball will be dropped on special occasions, perhaps next New Year’s Eve?

See the Geelong Advertisers article - (Tue 27 Dec 2005)