A most interesting device which had long been a mystery was the “Auletic Wheel” which Lord Dundas had mentioned in a letter to William Symington which was later reproduced in the Rankine Biography ^[1] and in the SYMINGTON TESTIMONIAL: “The “Auletic Wheel” I do not understand, but I will have the pleasure of calling upon you on Wednesday, when I shall be happy to receive your lecture, how much or how little of it may be within my sphere of comprehension. I am, Dear Sir, your obedient servant, Thomas Dundas.”

^[1] Rankine, R. and W. H., Biography of William Symington, Inventor of Steam Navigation Falkirk 1862, page 31

The drawing of a “Primum Mobile of an Auletic Chronometer” which was prepared in 1828 clearly represents the “Auletic Wheel” which had puzzled Lord Dundas. Close inspection of the mechanism of the “Auletic” clock reveals an ingenious concept which rivals in elegance and simplicity his method for steamboat propulsion pictured in his 1801 patent submission. The primum mobile or drive mechanism of the clock involves a small weight suspended from the axis of the wheel and the motion of the wheel is regulated not by a pendulum and escapement, but by the resistance to the passage of fluid through fine capillary pipes which link a series of 24 chambers placed around the circumference of the wheel.

The name “Auletic” derives from the Latin auleticus (flute or pipe) and pertains to the pipes linking the chambers. ^[1]

The invention was reported in the Stirling Advertiser and other newspapers in November 1828: ^{[2] [3]}

New Chronometer. —Mr. Symington, engineer in Falkirk, has contrived a new chronometer, which, for simplicity of construction, and accuracy in the division of time, far surpasses any thing of the kind hitherto invented. Although we are not at present enabled to describe the manner in which the machinery is arranged and acted upon, we can so far state, that it will point out with the greatest precision the hours, minutes and seconds of time, independent of either pendulum, balance wheel, or pallet, their reaction being thus totally done away with, and the salient motion unavoidably produced in every time-piece at present in use, altogether avoided. In this way all the movements are rendered perfectly regular, tacit, and easy, so much so, that its component parts will sustain very little if any injury from tear and wear, although kept in motion for many years. The primum mobile, which we understand is regulated by the effect of reciprocal gravitation, will need to be replaced once in twelve months.

-Stirling Advertiser

A public demonstration of the novel chronometer was reported in The Scotsman in November 1829:

“… we see that the celebrated Mr. Symington has submitted his chronometer to the public in the Tally-ho Tavern here, where it is steadily revolving at a pace which is to continue for seven years.” ^{[4] [5]}

In 1845, William Symington’s son Andrew registered a design for a hydraulic clock, ^[6] but the principle of his clock differed from the auletic clock. Andrew’s hydraulic clock employed a small bucket wheel which was propelled by drops of water to turn the axis of the crown wheel. However, the clock described in the following extract from the Edinburgh Evening Courant, June, 1834 would be in keeping with an auletic clock. It would appear that Andrew had appropriated his late father's invention:

KETTLE – A curious piece of machinery to measure time has been invented by Mr. Andrew Symington, watchmaker. This time-piece is more simple in its construction than the common eight-day clock – requires only to be winded up once in 12 months – and being quite silent in its movements will be admirable adapted for bedroom. In this time-piece the pendulum and scapement are done away with and a simple, but efficient substitute is applied to the crown wheel as a detent, which allows it to revolve once in an hour, and has quite a uniform motion without producing the smallest vibration on the machinery.

In his Narrative, Dr. Robert Bowie related that William Symington’s last act before he died “was an imitation of winding up and adjusting a newly invented chronometer, which he had nearly completed.” ^[7]

An intriguing letter emerged from among papers left by William Symington of Bacchus Marsh, son of the inventor. Dated Falkirk 10^th June 1829, and addressed to his son William, at the Bromley Distillery, London, William Symington senior expresses his excitement about a trial of his new Chronometer and his anticipation of the financial reward which would surely follow. Mercury is confirmed as the fluid in the Auletic Chronometer and he suggests the “Doctor” (no doubt Robert Bowie, his son in law) would be the one to secure a supply. An oblique reference to sending “your usual moety” (sic) would reflect his straitened circumstances during his last years in Falkirk and infers a financial arrangement with his son. ^[8]

However, the concept of a weight-driven clock regulated by a mercury escapement was not original. A similar concept for the regulator for a time-piece had been described in in the Libros del Saber de Astronomia, prepared for Alfonso X (Alfonso the wise) in 1277 A.D., in which was described "a mercury wheel astronomical clock with a clepsydra". This was a weight-driven clock with a mercury escapement. Surely, William Symington could not have read Alfonso's account which was published in medieval Spanish, then translated into Italian. However, the concept of a weighted mercury wheel had been known in Islam as early as the eleventh century. The mechanism described in Alfonso's publication comprised a tightly assembled wooden drum, sealed with resin or wax, the interior of which was divided into twelve compartments which were inter-connected by small holes, allowing the flow of mercury between compartments. The drum was mounted on the same axle as a wheel which was turned by a weight. A pinion attached to the axle meshed with teeth on the rim of an astrolabe dial. It seems William Symington must have learned of the concept of a weight driven wheel, which he refined with his own idea to use fine tubes linking the chambers of the wheel.

^[1] “Auletick” Johnson, Samuel, A Dictionary of the English Language, 3^rd. Edition, 1768

^[2] Oxford University and City Herald Saturday 8 November 1828 page 2

^[3] Also Manchester Mercury Tuesday 11 November 1828 page 1

^[4] The Scotsman Wednesday 18 November 1829 page 6

^[5] Also reported in the Royal Cornwall Gazette Saturday 5 December 1829 page 4

^[6] Trans. R.S.S.A 1841 Volume 1, page 203 Communications laid before the Society 4 January 1837 (Drawing and description of pendulum escapement by Andrew Symington)

^[7] Bowie, Robert, A Brief Narrative etc. London 1833

^[8] See transcription of this letter below

The following is the letter from William Symington, Falkirk, to his son, Mr William Symington, Napier Terrace, Bromley Distillery, Middlesex, London relating to the chronometer.

Falkirk 10^th June 1829

Dear William

I can now inform you that I have had my Chronometer going for four days and have the pleasure to say that its movement comes up to my most sanguine expectations, and when I get another one made, in a workman like manner, which I have begun yesterday; I am fully confident it will far excell (sic) any time piece hitherto produced, in the face of the earth – I hope to be able to accomplish this great object by the end of July next and ready for public exhibition before September following, but I shall report progress to you occasionally – there would be no harm in letting the Doctor and Mr. Lyon know of my success – If you could send me per first vessel a smal (sic) jar of mercury, say 8 or 9 lib, it would be very obliging as it is not easy got here. The Doctor will be the best man to procure it for you, & you may say that I will, in a few months, repay it ten fold – I suppose it will cost one guinea and a half – I trust you will not omit your usual moety (sic)I doubt you will scarcely be able to read this, you may guess at my meaning With best compliments to all our Relatives We are

Dear William

yours most sincerely

W & E. Symington