Description

Levelling staff in 3 sections extending to 15 ft. Used for measuring vertical distances in conjunction with a level.

This item formerly belonged to Mr Hugh Torrance Ker, MICE (1865 – 1938). 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). Mr Ker was awarded a Telford Premium on 3 November 1908 for his paper The extension, widening and strengthening of Folkestone Pier (Including plate at back of volume). Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Volume 171, Part 1, Session 1907-1908, pp 49-79.

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