Bells
At 67 m (220 ft) above floor level, the bells of Liverpool Cathedral are the highest and heaviest ringing peal in the world. The peal proper (hung for full-circle change ringing) consists of thirteen bells weighing a total of 16.5 tons, which are named the Bartlett Bells after Thomas Bartlett (d September 4, 1912), a native of Liverpool who bequeathed the funding. The bells vary in size and note from the comparatively light 10 cwt treble to the tenor weighing 4 tons. The 13th bell (sharp 2nd) is extra to the main 12-bell peal, and its purpose is to make possible ringing in a correct octave in a higher key. All thirteen bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel in London. The initial letters of the inscriptions on the thirteen bells spell out the name “Thomas Bartlett” (from tenor to treble).
The Bartlett bells are hung in a circle around the bourdon bell "Great George". At 14½ tons, Great George is the second most massive bell in the British Isles. (Only the 16½ ton "Great Paul" of St Paul's Cathedral in London is heavier.) Great George, cast by Taylors of Loughborough and named in memory of King George V, is hung in a pendant position and is sounded by means of a counterbalanced clapper.
Read more about this topic: Liverpool Cathedral, Completed Building
Famous quotes containing the word bells:
“The bells discuss the hour’s gradations,
Dusty shelves hold prayers and proofs:
Above, Chaldean constellations
Sparkle over crowded roofs.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“You owe me ten shillings,
Say the bells of St. Helen’s.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
Pray when will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I am sure I don’t know,
Says the great bell of Bow.”
—Unknown. The Bells of London (l. 13–22)
“Now Lady Maisry is gone home,
Made him a winding sheet,
And at the back of merry Lincoln
The dead corpse did her meet.
And all the bells of merry Lincoln,
Without men’s hands were rung,”
—Unknown. Hugh of Lincoln (l. 61–66)