The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-10-08
A MARVELLOUS CLOCK.
Gift OF the City of Philadelphia to the
Cruiser of That Name

Gift of the City of Philadelphia to the
Cruiser of That Name.
Above the silver-faced dial an eagle,
with outspread wings, assumes de-
fensive position, says the Philadelphia
Ledger, while on the right side of the
clock face stands a full-length figure of
a woman, in classic attire, holding a
roll as she leans on the side of the
bezel. To the left another female fig
ure stands in a similar position, carry
ing the horn of plenty on one arm.
Below the clock face a shield, which
upon close inspection is seen to repre-
sent section of the hull of vessel,
surmounts crossed guns and is encircled
by laurel wreath.
On this shield is an inscription set
ting forth that the clock was presented
to the cruiser Philadelphia on behalf of
the citizens of Philadelphia.
A cable forms square around the
clock case. and in loops at each of the
two upper corners fouled anchor is
held. From either side of the group
around the dial two draped American
standards jut out gracefully, and be-
meath the two female figures, which
stand on kind of promontory, are
seen choppy waves bordered with a
scroll, bearing the words, philadelphia
Maneto." A massive scroll at the base
of the clock is inscribed "U. S. S.
Philadelphia"
The silver dial bears figures in gold
in relief of most beautiful and original
design. The minutes are divided by
raised golden pegs, while the center of
the face bears an exquisite piece of the
al r-,A g @1 al oe %hn
city's arms. The plow, in the top sec
tion of the device, is in relief, as is the
ship, with all her canvas on, which is
in the lower third. The whole plate is
most dainty and correct in detail, and
above it, also in bas relief, is the arm
of justice, with the balance, A rich
golden scroll frames the arms on the
face, which altogether is pronounced
to be not only exquisite but unique.
This part of the ornamentation is an
excellent specimen of the good engrav-
er's art. Considerable difficulty was
encountered in modelling the work in
getting an eagle that would be suit
able. Finally fine specimen was
secured in the Academy of Natural
sciences, and it has been faithfully re-
produced. The two female figures
were modelled from life, and are fair
representations of graceful and 1.-THE
feminine forms. They are in a gilt
bronze, which contrasts pleasantly with
the dark bronze of their surroundings.
In the original model the two figures
were in bas relief, but the sculptor,
and rightly, too, thought that the eff
feet could be heightened by placing the
figures in full relief, as they are now
seen.
To give some idea of the care be-
slowed upon the timepiece it should be
mentioned that, in order to have the
guns and the old-style wooden ship in
the design truthful, the firm sent to the
navy department and received photo
graphs of the old man-of-war Constitu-
ton and of the new-style ordnance, and
from these those seen in the completed
work were modelled.
Strictly speaking, the movement of
the clock is a nautical one. 1t is con-
structed with balance wheel on the
principle of watch; consequently the
pitching and tossing sea will not effect
the movement. The escapement is a
demi-chronometer, jeweled in all its
principal parts, and highly finished.
The movement is adjusted to heat and
cold and position.
Instead of the hours the chime of
bells strikes in couplets, in true nautical
style, the ships BELLS When it is II
O'clock eight bells are struck, instead
of twelve, as in other timepieces; at
o'clock, two bells. etc. This has never
before been accomplished in a fine
clock. Another feature which will be
appreciated by mariners, which is also
an improvement, is that of making the
hour hand free of its twin, the minute
hand, in regulating the clock. This
enables them to turn the clock back or
forward an hour without disturbing the
minute hand, as is required to be done
every day in crossing the various de.
grees of longitude during a voyage.
The regulation of the hands ano
bells is commanded by a series Of
wheels, hidden in a metal closet open.
ing on one side of the case. An in.
genious device has been contrived tc
open the bezel of the clock, so that the
minute hand can be turned in regulat-
ing it. When not required to be open
it is locked by minute lock in the
lower part. By inserting small hook
like key and giving it turn the case
is unlocked. Two other hooks are
placed in the sides, and the plate glass
and bezel drawn out about an inch.
Then by a hidden hinge on the top the
piece can be raised.
The clock is ineased in a mahogany
box and the back is of steel. The
whole piece weighs about 400 pounds,
IS about 3 feet high, and is nearly vs
many broad. Work was started on il
last December, and has been continued
ever since