User:DavidAnstiss/Bell Mast



=History= Bell masts were common to all dockyards, docks and similar operations as the means of summoning the workforce in the morning or for other warning reasons. For example, at Lower Upnor Ordnance Depot, the muster bell additionally alerted the workforce to the danger of storms or lightening strikes. Very few muster bells and bell masts appear to survive and while there may have also have been a bell mast at Gillingham Gate only two now remain at Chatham Dockyard. The other, earlier and more complete mast which stands by the main gate, is said to date from the late C18 to early C19 and is Grade II* listed.

admirals gate - mast Latitude/Longitude: 51.3918, 0.5263 Bell mast. Late C18-early C19. Wrought-iron. Mast of riveted plates with a bell on top covered by a metal dome with round arches to each side on curved brackets. The base is surrounded by an octagonal swept canopy on slim octagonal iron columns. HISTORY: the bell was used to summon the workforce to the Dockyard. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-476579-the-bell-mast-

Chatham Bell Mast
According to the former scheduled monument description (ME 228)]], this bell mast, at the northern entrance to the dockyard, was thought to date from the mid-C19 expansion of Chatham Dockyard.

More recent research has confirmed that the bell mast originated as a wrought iron ship's mast, fitted as a 'fore-mast' to HMS Undaunted in 1872. HMS Undaunted, was the largest and latest of the 'Immortalite Class' wooden screw frigates (laid down at Chatham 1859, launched 1861) was the last wooden ship to hold the position of Flagship on active service and has been considered to be the finest wooden hulled screw frigate in service. It is thought that the installation of a wrought iron mast in HMS Undaunted may have been experimental. However the rapid progress in the development of steam propulsion rendered the design redundant and the ship was de-commissioned and sold in 1882.

In 1903, the mast was installed as a muster bell at the dockyard to signal changing shifts and remained in use until the dockyard closed in 1984. These metal masts are direct descendants of the C18 and early C19 muster bells on wooden posts and frames of which dockyard plans and models include examples.

It was the custom for the men to enter the dockyard at the ringing of a bell and muster at the Clerk of the Cheques’s office.

This they also did on leaving. During the day they also answered periodic muster, thus during the day there were usually four “ calls” .Between 1722 and 1804 men in then dockyard worked the following schedule. 12 hours from 6am to 6pm from March to October. In the Winter, work was from daylight to dusk. In the Summer ½ hour was allowed for breakfast and 1½ hours for dinner. In the Winter there was no time for breakfast and only 1 hour for dinner .http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~penney/shipwrights%20trades%20etc/s_wright%20trade.htm

The mast was removed from its original location, south east of the Coppersmiths' Shop at Chatham Dockyard in 1992, when a road was constructed across the site. It was restored (which included strengthening work, re-painting and weatherproofing). It was then re-erected on the junction of Leviathan Way and Western Avenue, Chatham in 2001, close to the new visitor entrance to the dockyard. The project was awarded an Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), South East Merit Award.

=Details= The bell mast comprises a tall cylindrical metal shaft made of rivetted iron plates which supports an open-sided octagonal bell cupola with an ogee roof with pronounced ribs. This is surmounted by a small golden orb beneath an ornate iron weather vane. The mast is estimated to be c 100 feet (c 30m) in height and is held in place by metal stays. Approximately 8 feet (c 2.4 m) from the base of the mast is a cantilevered metal awning extending round it.

A new concrete foundation has been constructed to hold the Bell Mast. 3 guy ropes are used to assist the stability of the Mast and these wire ropes were made by Pier Rigging of Chatham.

=Rarity= Once common to all dockyards, the Chatham Mast is one of only two masts remaining at the Dockyard and is rare nationally with only one other listed bell mast, at Maurice Yard, HMNB Devonport. Near Morice Gate on Queen Street. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-476513-muster-bell-

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=619362&sort=2&type=&rational=a&class1=1&period=None&county=693349&district=786118&parish=None&place=chatham&recordsperpage=10&source=text&rtype=&rnumber=&p=3&move=n&nor=39&recfc=0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwphoto_kent/4014264041/