LEGACY, Former Perth Observatory Time Gun—Perth, Australia - Time Signals on Waymarking.com

The 'old' Perth Observatory was established in 1896 on a high point to the immediate west of the centre of the city of Perth. It continued to operate until 1965, when, due to increasing light pollution and a desire to use the land for more 'practical' purposes, the old Observatory was partially demolished and a new Observatory was built way to the east of the city.

From its establishment the observatory pursued a number of activities, ranging from the purest research into the mysteries of the universe, to the mundane charting of the weather. One activity was a time gun. At 13.00 hours, Monday to Friday, and 12.00 on Saturday (barring misadventure), a gun was fired from the Observatory. This cannon sent a time signal down the hill to the City.

The observatory residence, the only part of the Observatory still extant, is now the headquarters for the National Trust of Western Australia. During my visit (February 2013) a kindly gentleman by the name of Dan walked me through the grounds. At my enquiry about the cannon he informed me that the cannon is no longer present (and no idea where it might be), but the small structure housing the cannon is still intact.

Dan told me that the cannon was known as the 'jump cannon', as it made the good folk of a century ago jump when it was fired. He also told me that it was take out of service in 1955, though I recall being told (a while back), that it was decommissioned in 1965.

There is a page of the National Trust handbook on the old Perth Observatory (in gallery) that supplies some of the history of the cannon and the complexities of time keeping in days gone by. The observatory: controlled two time balls in the city of Perth and one in the port city of Fremantle, and the Fremantle town clock (waymarked); also the public clock at the main entrance to the nearby King's Park (I assume this to be the Edith Cowan memorial clock (waymarked)); set the time for the state rail system, and, of course, the observatory gun. The time service was created in 1898 at the instigation of the first government astronomer, William Cooke.

This structure lies maybe fifty metres to the east of the residence overlooking the city. The view to the city is now obscured with trees. The building is small, a few metres on a side, just large enough to contain a small cannon. There is no plaque or other identifying material present. Entry to the grounds is free, and it can be reached on foot from the city.

Type: Time Cannon In service: no Time of signal: 13.00 Year established (if known): 1898 Year decommissioned (if applicable): November 1955 Address: Harvest Terrace Perth, Western Australia Australia Weblink (if any): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
You must, of course, physically visit the waymark. Posting a photo of your visit is good, but try and take a photograph of the site distinct from an existing photo—a different angle, or something overlooked by previous visitors. Include a short description of your visit: was the ball or cannon in use, a popular tourist destination, anything new added, anything changed? Work towards keeping the waymark current.

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Date Logged Log   01/01/2014 blingg visited it