Birkenhead - Woodside Ferry
Last updated 8 February 2003

Fog Bell
No. Note Dia. Inscription Weight Founder
Date
1   2' 6" {Shoulder}
GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON 1913 		5-1-19 Gillett & Johnston
1913

The bell, which is operated during foggy conditions on the River Mersey, is located in a small tower structure at the north end of the Woodside Ferry landing stage.

There are two (identical) hammers which are electrically driven being manually switched on as required. However, the first hammer dwells on the soundbow preventing oscillation, resulting in a rather dull sound. The other hammer operates correctly and the full reverberant output can clearly be heard. Apparently, this has been the situation for an long but unspecified period so that operators on the ferry have become accustomed to the 'two-tone' sound!

Latest update (8 February 2003) relates to weight of bell and correct diameter (previously estimated from the landing stage!)
(This latest information has been sourced from Gillett and Johnston records by Alan Buswell and fowarded via Chris Pickford).

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