American Steam Gauge 8 1/2" Ships Clock for the "Ontario"
Ca. 1863 American Steam Gauge Ships Clock for the ship "Ontario". The 8 1/2" dial is engraved with Roman numerals and the name of the ship Ontario which is highlighted with delicate brackets and flourishes. At the bottom the dial is engraved with the number 9484 which is also stamped inside the case at 6 o'clock. The front bezel is 10" and the back flange is 11". The bezel is hinged as is the dial. The Seth Thomas 30 hour time only movement is mounted to the back of the dial and is regulated by opening the bezel and the dial. The clock has been restored to superb condition. According to "The History of American Steam Navigation" by John Morrison, the Ontario was a mail ship on Lake Ontario in the late 1850's to mid 1860's. The Ontario was 222' x 32' x 12' with a beam engine 50" x 11'. The building of railroads along the shore of the lake destroyed the mail line business and in 1865 the Ontario was brought safely down the rapids of the St Lawrence to the Atlantic coast where it was sold to a foreign buyer about 1867. Evidently running the rapids in vessels of this size was quite a feat!