Fellow Shadow Watchers,
While staying briefly in Helsinki I was taken by
my charming lady guide to see a sundial that she recalled from childhood
on the sea edge at Hietaniemi Sandudd. The sea was frozen over and snow
covered but this is apparently a favourite spot for sunbathing in summer.
Mari' was delighted to find that the dial was still there on top a a
natural rock mound and what a worthwhile trip it proved to see this high
quality item. The dial itself is VERY solid bronze on top of a majestic
black granite? pillar and dated MCMXXXI with large bronze medallions in
its hexagonal sides with a motto 'Tempus Fugit'.
The dial plate is calibrated '4' to '21' hours in arabic numerals around
a chamfered edge and divided into 10 minute intervals. The gnomon is a
sturdy circular sector. Although it appears to be longitudinally
corrected there is no EofT information and only a large blank area where
one would perhaps expects some details.
Can any of our Finnish members or others familiar with this dial give
some notion of its origins? It is certainly well worth a visit if in
Helsinki. JPEGs on request.
Tony Moss.
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