New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-31

ACCURACY AND EXCELLENCE or THE MECHANISM
A TIMYKFEPER UNSURPASSED IN THIS COUNTRY
OR EUROPE-THE PENDULUM, THE EscArEMENT,
THE DIALs AND THE HANDS DESCRIBED
The parts of the new clock built by f. Howard
Co for The Tribune Building have been put together
and It il running ut No. $50 Broadway. Exports
who have examined the mechanism declare this
clock to he by far the most complete or the hind
ever produced IN tails country, and fully equal
to the best made in Europe. Every portion
Of the workmanship shows the finest skill and most
thorough care. The celebrated Westminster clock IN
London. which cost 100000 independently OF the diais
and which Is regarded the best tmekceper on tower
Europe, varies at tie rate OF about one second week
The Tribune CLOCK, 1t Is running, showsa varIa
ton OF only one second a week. and it believed tina.
AMER has been time longer 1t will keep even
accurate tiue.
The machinery Ia mounted upon pillars OF fine steel
set H. a framework OF castiron that stands on the
floor Instead OF the old "deadbeat" escapement. u
far nicely adjusted combination of machinery is
employed IL Is tho gravityescapement in
vented by Mr. Dsnnisou OF London. and intro
iuced n this country by Mr.. Howard. The pendu-
um Is thorough In compensation" being constructed
Of nine parts, four OF brnss and five Of steel lt Is
twosecOnd pendulum. taking two secOnds for Its swing
beat At the lower end OF the pendulum is suspended
weight OF four ve poun ls incioscd In heavy len
ticular brass cup. The length OF the pendulum rod i
Ii feet The pendulum Ia hung upon very delicate
steel springs aud its cments made with the ut
most precision.
Tho sixlegged gravity escapemcnt IA connected with
the pendulum by simple yet delicate mechanism. and all
its acting parts ewcied By this escapcmen the mo-
ton communicated to the pendulum ON each side OF
the pcndulun-rod IL iron suspended from one
end. Obquey. AZ the escapemcnt,yhcel turns, small
pins its the free end Of one OF these arms by
Of levers As the pendulum reaches the termna-
of path the is released and its weight press
against tho pendulum. drives to the other side,
whore the operation repeated The motion Is carried
to the four dias above by a revolving iron rod.
The arrnn cement for Illuminating the dlals IA very
complete and the dals themselves are worthy OF descr
ton The dials by which tho time il to be indicated by
day ~ feet In diameter those which to he iumi-
mated night within the circle Of the day dals and
are feet in diameter The day dials composed Of
enormous blocks OF granite into which the figures are
sunk These will be made conspicuous that they can
be seen at great distance. The night dials also
four In number. are To DO OF ground glass
The figures visible at night will not be seen In
tho DAYTIME they are 10 be inside the glass dial
Tho valve through which the gas reaches the two large
burners behind each dial is turned by ingenious ma
chnery small Jet is kept burning all the time bur the
Of gas consumed very trihns. Screws are 80
arranged in slot In the wheel attached to the works
that they be- set in such way as to turn on the gas
AT any hour desired. arrangement autOmati-
cally turns off the gas ut the proper time.
There ia an electric attachment The clock by which
any number di,ls may be all tbs building.
An automatic retaining power permits the clock 10 he
vOund without interfering In the eas. with ts oontinl
Gus action La the ordinary large clocks 1t Ia necessary
to Shift gear and great deal OF trouble To
the hands. In his clock there 90 holes IN the
brass wheel attached t. the min shaft By witnira" ing
the Din which makes the connecticut, the WhOtc
machinery can be wlired with and rapdity IN
either direction. The small dial in front 80 enables the
operator 10 iugc exactly when to stop. The hands
weighted that they cannot be af cted by the weather
however storm may prevail. Tie dais on inc
Tribune Building are the largest working dias
IN this country. The work OF accurate adjust,
ment OF the clock IL in progress ~ T.. Howard
x Co.'S store, but in few weeks the clock Is to be
placed In the prepared for in the tower OF The
Trbun, building The dy dals of brass being cast.
The night dlls ami the figures are being made ready
as rapidly a. possible. The simplicity. together with the
perferun OF the mechanism Of this clock. II the result
OF Mr. Howard's 40 years ex erienre in his business