An exciting new project just saved in an auction room in England.Longcase clock by William West.

Details: William West, clockmaker, St Ives. (b 1751, d 1831)

In the latter half of the 18th century, Cornwall was an important centre of science, engineering innovation and the advancement of mankind. Among the great Cornish names of that period are Sir Humphrey Davy, Penzance, scientist; Davies Gilbert, St Erth, inventor; William Bligh (of the Bounty), sailor and Richard Trevithick, Camborne, inventor of high pressure steam engines and the road carriage (forerunner of the car).

In 1784, William West, already an established clockmaker, married Joanna Harvey, daughter of John Harvey, the founder of Harveys of Hayle, engine manufacturers to the world’s mining industry.

When Joanna’s sister Jane married Richard Trevithick at St Erth in 1797, William West and Richard Trevithick became brothers in law so West was the ideal man to make the models of Trevithicks inventions. In 1796 or 97 the first model of a high pressure steam engine was made by West and in 1802 West, Trevithick and Andrew Vivian were granted a patent for a steam carriage which had made its first trial run in Camborne of Christmas eve 1801.

West set up as a clock and instrument maker at Tregenna Place, St Ives in 1808 where he worked until his retirement in 1828. West’s clocks were popularly but inaccurately known a “West’s chronometers” due to the timekeeping accuracy.

Dimensions:

Price: €

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