An “atomic” clock, which ticks more than 400 million million times a second, was escorted on Saturday 30km down river from Isleworth to Greenwich by a 15-strong flotilla, led by Royal Shallop Jubilant.
Gifted by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington, to the Royal Observatory Greenwich to mark the organisation’s leadership in global time-telling, the event also celebrated the 21st birthday of The Jubilant Trust.
Constructed by Richmond boat builder Mark Edwards, Jubilant was commissioned by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Over the past two decades, the Trust has used the vessel to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to rowing and led many celebrations and events on the River Thames.
The clock will be on display at the Royal Observatory Greenwich soon giving the public an opportunity to learn about its role in the UK’s timekeeping history.
Leon Lobo, head of the National Timing Centre at NPL, said: “The UK has long been innovators in global timekeeping: Harrison’s clocks enabling precise global navigation in the 18th Century, GMT as the global time scale in the 19th, the first accurate atomic clock supporting the transition to atomic time in the 20th, and the next generation of optical atomic clocks for future satellite navigation systems in the 21st.
“This celebration reinforces NPL’s close relationship with the Royal Observatory Greenwich and showcases the criticality of time in our daily lives.”
Paddy Rodgers, CEO of Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “We are proud of our long relationship with the National Physical Laboratory and are delighted to welcome this remarkable clock into our extensive collection, where it will benefit both researchers and the public alike.”
Photo (Left to right): Leon Lobo, Head of the National Timing Centre at NPL, Roger Mutton, Honorary Secretary of the Jubilant Trust, Emily Akkermans, the Curator of Time at the Royal Museums Greenwich, and Jane Pedler, Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.