Brass porthole Rope Clock 11"

Portholes are an important part of a ship’s construction, allowing both air and light to pass into the inner areas below deck.  Through the use of a hinge and lock-down screws, crew members were able to open portholes in good weather, while still having the ability to close the porthole and create a watertight seal that kept stormy weather out.

Coming from the Latin word Clocca or “bell,” the first mechanically unique clocks were designed in the 13^th century, with the development of the escapement. This piece revolutionized clock making, allowing for later brass clocks and the nautical wall clock, by utilizing a gear that locks and releases, allowing energy to be transferred from a weight to the rotational gears. However, it wasn’t until the 15^th century that springs were incorporated into clock design, allowing the manufacturing of unique clocks to expand rapidly throughout Europe. In 1656 the pendulum clock was invented, though it was useless at sea as the pitch and roll of a ship interfered with accurate timing. Around this time many European governments were offering large rewards for someone who could accurately measure longitude at sea, leading to the design of many unique clocks. By the mid-1800s, the first electric clocks were invented, allowing for another revolution in timepieces.