The HMC Dockyard Clock is considered North America's oldest working naval clock. It is recognized for its superb craftsmanship, and as the last tangible evidence of the original naval dockyard in Halifax.
It is a handcrafted clock originally installed in a domed cupola on the Hauser Stores in 1772. The clock has been relocated three times, and its current location is on a monument at Chebucto Landing, at the Halifax Waterfront, Halifax, NS.
Constructed by Aynesth Thwaites in Clerkenwell, London, in 1767, the clock itself is a masterpiece of traditional craftsmanship. The clock was completely hand tooled; from its forged shafts to its filled gears. A two hundred and fifty pound weight drives its nine-foot pendulum.
The clock’s original home, on the roof of the Hauser Stores, was demolished in 1941. The Stores were wooden structures used as naval warehouses for provisions and clothing.
The clock was relocated to the HMC Dockyard Fire Hall that was constructed in 1943. The Fire Hall was demolished in 1986 and after a short period of storage, the Dockyard Clock was donated to Halifax Regional Municipality in an attempt to make this valuable piece of history more available to the public view. The clock and its domed cupola are the last remaining architectural fragments of the original eighteenth century naval dockyard.
The clock was relocated to a prominent monument situated at the foot of George Street on the Halifax Harbour, near the ferry terminal. There is value in this more modern structure as its design represents elements of its history, such as the "X” motif recalls the railing pattern on the original Hauser Stores. The clock is one of the few remaining relics of the Navy's early presence in Halifax which shaped the history of the city and its residents.
Character-defining elements of the HMC Dockyard Clock include:
- elements of its traditional craftsmanship, including the handmade inner workings of the clock;
- original, handmade bell with its creation date of 1797 stamped into the metal;
- two hundred and fifty pound weight which drives its nine-foot pendulum;
- white-on-black clock face;
- clock's mounting in a domed cupola with a metal roof, and weathervane;
- the current monument incorporates elements of the Hauser Stores and Dockyard Fire Hall;
[All information retrieved from The Canadian Register of Historic Places]
This is a two-stage multi. Find the dockyard clock and the information board at the posted coordinates; everything you will need to find the cache is here. The final is less than 300m from the clock. Stealth will be required. Please bring your own pen or pencil.
The final is located at: N44 38.ABC W063 34.DEF
Checksum: A+B+C=23; D+E+F=5
Here are the questions:
A=Under the 1996 map, how many letters are in the word that comes right after the word projet?
B=In the bottom right-hand corner of the information board you'll see the Chairman's full name. How many letters are in his last name?
C=Under the 1996 map, look at the second paragraph. How many letters are in the fifth word?
D=Under the 1943 map, look at the third paragraph. How many letters are in the first word?
E=Stand under the clock and look up at the trapdoor. How many round vents do you see? The trapdoor may be open but you can still see and count those vents in the trapdoor.
F=Under the 1943 map, look at the first paragraph. How many times does the letter m appear in this paragraph?