Description

Levelling staff in 3 sections extending to 15 ft. Used for measuring vertical distances in conjunction with a level. It belonged to Mr Hugh Torrance Ker (sic) MICE (1865 – 1938).

Accompanying this staff is a photocopy of ICE documentation on Mr Ker and his paper The extension widening and strengthening of Folkestone Pier (Ref. Minutes of the Proceedings, Volume 171, Part 1, Session 1907-1908, pp 49-79). For this paper Mr Ker was awarded a Telford Premium on 3 November 1908.

Mr Ker acted as Resident Engineer on the Folkestone Harbour Works (1897 – 1905) which comprised an extension and widening of the existing pier; provision of station buildings and sidings; and high and low level landings for cross Channel traffic (value £420,000).

Interestingly, between 1887 and 1890 Mr Ker who played club rugby union for Glasgow Academicals received seven international caps playing for Scotland. He played as a forward with a record of five wins, one draw and one defeat.