In around 1853 54 it was decided to put a clock on to the Flamsteed Tower/Turret of the White tower, this seemed upset the public
The Flamsteed Turret/Tower 1854
A Letter to the Editor of the Times news paper, complaining about 4 holes being cut into one of the turrets
“The White tower has so bravely stood the storms and tempests of Centuries, and is so connected with the history of England, that it is really too bad that barbarous hands have been allowed to tamper with it… Fill up the holes – A LONDONER”
The Times :
20 Jan 1854 page 5
Follow up confirming the work is indeed for a clock. Correspondent dates letter 21st January and regards it as not a suitable place on site for the clock “It will be tasteless and absurd, and render the White Tower what the National Gallery now is – an eyesore to the metropolis”.
The Times
24 Jan 1854 p.10
The clock was removed and placed over the front of the Waterloo Block in 1913, and the clock was painted White as it is today for the Queens Jubilee in 2012.
The Waterloo Block without the clock from The Tower of London Past and Present by Geoffrey Parnell
Joseph Fairer’s advert in the Times of Tuesday May 11 1858, p.4
“Turret clocks, suitable from the stable to the Cathedral. Estimates and Plans free. JOSEPH FAIRER, maker to H M War Department, manufactory 188,St George St, East. Maker of the great clock, Tower of London”.
He makes the advert more important using the War Department, The War Department was re-titled War Office by 1858,
The War Department was re-titled War Office by 1858, but I’m sure there’s an explanation.
He makes the advert more important using the War Department, The War Department was re-titled War Office by 1858,
Leave a reply to Clock in the Tower