Of all people, Murdoch would know that, as there was no year zero, all centuries begin with a year ending in 1. The first century, 1AD to 100AD. The second, 101AD to 200AD. And so on to the 20th, which began January 1, 1901.
When Murdoch first goes to see the time machine, Professor Harms greets him as 'Inspector Murdoch'. Murdoch is a detective, not an inspector.