Big Ben Traditional Cache
geohatter: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
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Paul
Geohatter
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In 1858 a 316 ft clock tower was built at Westminster, containing a 16 ton hour bell called Big Ben. When the weather is perfectly still, can it be heard 128 miles away near Hagley?
May be best to for two or more people to attempt this cache together.
Cast in 1856, the first bell was transported to the tower on a trolley drawn by sixteen horses, with crowds cheering its progress. Unfortunately, it cracked beyond repair while being tested and a replacement had to be made. The bell was recast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as a 13.76-tonne (13½ ton) bell.[30][1] This was pulled 200 ft (61 m) up to the Clock Tower’s belfry, a feat that took 18 hours. It is 2.2 metres tall and 2.9 metres wide.
Along with the Great Bell, the belfry houses four quarter bells which play the Westminster Quarters on the quarter hours. The four quarter bells are G+, F+, E, and B. They were cast by John Warner & Sons at their Crescent Foundry in 1857 (G+, F+ and B) and 1858 (E). The Foundry was in Jewin Crescent, in what is now known as The Barbican, in the City of London.
The Quarter Bells play a 20-chime sequence, 1–4 at quarter past, 5–12 at half past, 13–20 and 1–4 at quarter to, and 5–20 on the hour (which sounds 25 seconds before the main bell tolls the hour). Because the low bell (B) is struck twice in quick succession, there is not enough time to pull a hammer back, and it is supplied with two wrench hammers on opposite sides of the bell. The tune is that of the Cambridge Chimes, first used for the chimes of Great St Mary's church, Cambridge, and supposedly a variation, attributed to William Crotch, on a phrase from Handel's Messiah. The notional words of the chime, again derived from Great St Mary's and in turn an allusion to Psalm 37:23–24, are: "All through this hour/Lord be my guide/And by Thy power/No foot shall slide". They are written on a plaque on the wall of the clock room.
The cache is a moderate sized plastic tub, packed with goodies, and is set within 50 metres of the coordinates. The coordinates and hint will lead you to some detection equipment. Then be quiet and listen for the Westminster quarters that will lead you to the cache!
(Thanks to Lord Barrington for the idea borrowed from one of his excellent caches)
Coordinates were difficult to set due to tree cover so any corrections would be welcome.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fvyire Ovepu yrnavat vagb gur Cngu
Treasures
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