20th June 1858

Edinburgh engineer James Jardine dies

Engineer James Jardine was the first person to calculate mean sea level, which is the average height of water at a particular point. From this, it’s possible to make accurate calculations on land of the height of hills, depth of valleys and so on. It’s also used in flight so that planes can determine their altitude.

Water would be a recurring theme throughout his life. He worked on Eyemouth harbour and collaborated with Thomas Telford to improve Edinburgh’s drinking water supply. This necessitated the construction of a new reservoir outside the city centre, which also allowed for the complete draining of the loch that sat below Edinburgh Castle and had previously been the city’s main water supply. The land that was uncovered is now Princes Street Gardens. Elsewhere in the city, he worked on the digging of railway lines and the construction of Dean Bridge.

Jardine died in Edinburgh, aged 81.

 

 

Other events that occured in June

  • 01

    Inventor of colour photography is born
    James Clerk Maxwell was a physicist and mathematician whose discoveries and inventions have had a profound effect on society.

  • 02

    Scottish-built SS Norge sinks close to Rockall
    Despite the name, SS Norge was built and launched in Scotland. She is also remembered for sinking off the Scottish coast on a transatlantic voyage causing what was, at the time, the largest ever recorded loss of life at sea. SS Norge strikes rocks Her final voyage had started in Copenhagen, bound for New York […]

  • 03

    James Douglas is beheaded by his own invention
    James Douglas was beheaded in the fall out that followed the killing of Mary Queen of Scots' husband, by a guillotine he may have invented.

  • 04

    Faslane Peace Camp is established
    The Faslane Peace Camp, which was established in June 1982, has a permanent presence outside the nuclear submarine base gates.

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