1870 - 1879

1870

July 19th, 1870 until February 26th, 1871. Due to the German-French war a sensitive disturbance of the construction management occurred. Because of the conscription of numerous workmen and public servants, 9.000 stones were confiscated , as well as the drop-out of conveyance by rail, the towers could only be raised by three meters within a whole year.

December 10th, 1870. Central Cathedral building society entreated the King the cession of a number of cannons captured for casting a bell. In order to eke chimes present effectively, an outsized bell with note C was needed. The weight of such a bell was calculated to be 25 to 27 tons.

1871

July 24th. Dr. Haass, second choice after Reichensperger declined, was elected new president of the ZDV.

1872

The society’s memorial sign was issued for the first time as photo-lithography.

March 21st. Emperor Wilhelm I. approves five-hundred hundredweight gunmetal from 22 French cannons, which had been captured during the war 1870 / 71, for casting a huge bell for Cologne Cathedral. The cannons were lined up on May 11th in front of Cologne Cathedral.

1873

August 19th. The first casting failed. A recast was supposed to take place in the same year.

November 13th. Second cast of the emperor bell.

February 5th. A commission had to examine the bell. The cast is not satisfactory, another recast was agreed upon.

1874

October 3rd. Third and last casting of the emperor bell by bell founder Andreas Hamm in Frankenthal.

1875

May 31st. Dr. Haass was replaced by the former Chief Burgomaster of Cologne Bachem after a crucial vote.

December 31st. Approaching the end of the year 550 labourer worked in Cathedral builder’s hut. Along with 150 workers of private companies, who produced bricks for the Cathedral, 700 people were working for Cathedral building.

1876

February 21st. An expert commission submitted an assessment regarding the emperor bell. The pureness of the note was not quite achieved. The trial to sound the bell failed three times. Nevertheless attempts were made to remedy deficiencies not by further recast, but by changing the clapper and its mounting.

November 3rd. The “Metropolitanchapter” informed the Cathedral master-builder about the new programme of figures “for the cove of the northern main entrance”, since the portrayal decided on before of 24 eldest is out-dated, because “not 30, but 58 figures are necessary.” November 28th. In the presence of ZDV’s management board chiming the emperor bell was attempted with a new clapper. Cathedral master-builder Voigtel gives a technical assessment, after which the bell can be accepted.

December 4th. In the presence of musical experts another trial of chiming the bell was organised. These gentlemen delivered a favourable expert opinion, although it was not an enthused assessment. One hoped for improvement of the plan, once the bell is hung in the tower. The management board decided upon accepting the bell.

1878

June 27th. After the former Chief Burgomaster and president of ZDV Bachem deceased, the merchant and consul of the Spanish King Oswald Schmitz became president of ZDV.

August 7th. The emperor bell was pulled up the south tower. The expectation the bell might unfold its full sound in the position of the belfry assigned, was not met. Not until thirty years later, after many futile attempts, at least a technically flawless stroke was achieved.

September 26th. Emperor Wilhelm I. and the empress were in Cologne for the unveiling of the monument of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. During the marching in of the imperial couple the Cathedral’s bells chimed again for the first time in two years, now aggrandised by the emperor’s bell, pulled up on August 7th.

1879

August 26th. The Cathedral building’s administration tendered a competition for the acquirement of conceptions for relief of bronze portals of the western entrance.