The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, commonly known as the Big Ben, is one of London's most famous landmarks. The name Big Ben actually refers to the clock's hour bell, the largest of the clock's five bells, the others being used as quarter bells.
There were two bells cast as the clock tower's hour bell. A first, a 16 ton weighing bell was cast by John Warner and Sons in 1856. Since the Clock Tower was not yet completed, the bell was hung temporarily in the Palace Yard. The bell soon cracked so it was recast in 1858 in the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as a 13.5 ton bell. Unfortunately soon after this bell was placed in the belfry in July 1859, it cracked as well. This time, instead of yet again recasting the bell, the crack was repaired and a lighter hammer was used to prevent any more cracks.

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London
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Glouchester Cathedral
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