Madam, - Christopher Sands (Letters, August 22nd) rightly deplores the demolition of the historic hailing station by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
He fails to mention that from 1916 to 1948 a time ball was located on the station to allow mariners correct their chronometers, essential for estimating longitude at sea. Each day the time ball was released at 1pm GMT (Dublin Time having been replaced by GMT on October 1st, 1916).
The release of the ball was controlled by astronomers at Dunsink Observatory who observed the transits of stars to determine time accurately. This historic connection between the stars and the sea should not be forgotten and if the DDDA has any plans for a structure on the commanding site of the station, it should reflect the fundamental contribution of astronomy to navigation.
I would be glad to hear from anyone who has a photograph of the time ball on the hailing station. - Yours, etc,
IAN ELLIOTT, Pinecroft, Kilternan, Dublin 18.